Cubs broadcaster says a 'big swing' is coming in the NL Central standings

A pivotal homestand for the Chicago Cubs kicks off Friday afternoon as the Pittsburgh Pirates come to town for a three-game weekend set. It's a perfect time for the bats to come back to life and, hopefully, the team can start to build some momentum before a huge five-game set against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers next week.

One man who hasn't written off the Cubs' chances in the National League Central, despite heading into Friday eight games back of Milwaukee, is the team's radio color commentator on 670 The Score, Ron Coomer. The former All-Star believes things are bound to level off, both in terms of Milwaukee's constant winning and the Cubs' underperforming offense.

"This is your chance to get back in this race... I really believe that both teams are going to have another big swing. The season's too long (...) Milwaukee's not going to continue to play like the '27 Yankees, and the Cubs aren't going to play this kind of baseball where they've lost three series in a row. That's going to flip. The Cubs are going to play some great baseball and hit, and Milwaukee is going to struggle for a period."

Coomer went on to point out how important it is that the Cubs deliver when the Brewers aren't looking like world-beaters. They need to capitalize on every opportunity and, in doing so, they have a chance to chip away at what feels like an insurmountable deficit right now.

Cubs have a chance to shake up the NL Central race over the next week

The Pirates have dropped five straight and Paul Skenes isn't expected to throw this weekend, giving the Cubs a perfect chance to use this series as a springboard heading into Monday's twin-bill against Milwaukee. Pittsburgh enters Friday 20 games under .500 at 51-71. This is a matchup that, by any and all accounts, Chicago should win.

A sweep would be nice, but I'd take two of three if the offense had a strong showing every day - namely in the form of any sign of life from Kyle Tucker or Pete Crow-Armstrong. Combined, the duo has one multi-hit game between them in August and are a collective 9-for-81 (.111). Now is the time to get things going again.

The starting pitching has been brilliant of late and if that continues while the bats get going again, Chicago could make the final month of the season exciting. Don't forget: after that five-game series against the Brewers next week, the Cubs play 24 straight games against sub-.500 teams. The opportunity is there. But will they seize it?