Statement series at Wrigley? Why this weekend could define the Cubs’ April

Someone finally decided to wake up the Chicago Cubs' slumbering offense this week, as the North Siders reminded the whole league of the kind of thump they possess when things are going right at the plate. In their last four games (three of which were wins), the Cubs have scored at least seven runs and are averaging nearly nine per contest.

This stretch has lifted them back to .500 and just 1.5 games out of the lead in a ridiculously crowded NL Central race. Taking that series from the Phillies on the road was crucial, especially because Philadelphia will be limping into town for a four-game set next week.

Sandwiched between those two Phillies series, though, is a battle with the New York Mets, who might as well be the polar opposite of the Cubs at the moment. They're mired in an eight-game losing streak, having been swept by both the Athletics and Dodgers. During this slump, the Mets have scored more than just two runs once -- in a 6-11 loss to the A's -- and are averaging 1.5 runs per game.

In a battle of two offenses trending in opposite directions, the Cubs have to take care of business this weekend at Wrigley.

Cubs can move past early rust by beating beleaguered NL East rivals

Despite a decimated starting rotation that has lost two of its best arms to injuries in recent weeks, this weekend should actually feature a pretty sensational trio of pitching matchups.

The opener will pit Kodai Senga (7.07 ERA) and Edward Cabrera (1.62 ERA) against each other. The former has oscillated between good and bad outings this year, while the latter is, by far, the best Cubs starter that is still healthy. Senga has only made one career appearance at Wrigley Field, during his dominant rookie campaign in 2023, when he allowed three earned runs in five innings.

The weekend slate will send longtime nemesis Freddy Peralta and 2025 All-Star David Peterson to the mound. The Cubs will counter with Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad, respectively.

It could prove difficult to beat that trio of starters, even if Senga and Peterson are off to slower starts this year. Luckily, the Mets' ailing offense should be exactly what the doctor ordered for Taillon, who gave up three homers his last time out against the Pirates.

Of course, not everyone in New York is struggling right now. Chicago White Sox flameout Luis Robert Jr. is experiencing a career revival in Queens, and catcher Francisco Alvarez looks every bit like the former top prospect in baseball.

Stifle those two, and the Cubs should be in really good shape to pull out the brooms for the first time in 2026. Taking advantage of this series against the Mets (and the following one against the Phillies) would be a particularly good idea, seeing as we'll be closing out the month with a brutal road trip against the Dodgers and Padres, the owners of the two-best records in the sport.

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