The Chicago Cubs are riding a wave of momentum that has captured the attention of baseball fans everywhere. With a 26-12 record, they're tied for the best in Major League Baseball after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in a four-game series. This latest hot streak—nine consecutive wins following a 10-game winning streak earlier this season—has the team looking unstoppable. They've won 19 of their last 22 games, with only a brief three-game skid on the West Coast breaking up the magic.
"We've played really well," said Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' president of baseball operations. "Now, the reality is that we've had a ton of bullpen injuries and pitching injuries, and we have to overcome those. But, yes, all things considered, you look at where our record is and how we've gotten there, I think we've played well."
As the Cubs prepare for a road stretch against the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago White Sox, three numbers stand out from this incredible run—and they're worth diving into.
1. Home Sweet Home: 15 Straight Wins at Wrigley Field
Who says a home-field advantage can't provide a tangible boost? The Cubs have been proving otherwise. Their 15 consecutive wins at Wrigley Field is the longest home winning streak for the franchise since 1935, when they rattled off 18 straight. It's also the longest such streak in the majors since the New York Yankees won 15 in a row at home in 2023.
Pitcher Shota Imanaga, speaking through interpreter Edwin Stanberry after Thursday's win, summed it up perfectly: "I'm not the type of person to believe something you can't physically see. But I feel like at Wrigley, there's this power that you can't see, but you can kind of feel. With the fans and the cheering, the other team feels the pressure if you're on the mound or if you're up to bat. And then on the other side, when we're up to bat or if we're pitching, you feel that extra push and support. I think there is something there."
The Cubs just completed their second 7-0 homestand this season—a feat they haven't achieved since 1880, according to team historian Ed Hartig. That's right: 1880. Talk about making history.
2. Sweeping Success: Two Four-Game Sweeps
It's not just about winning at home—it's about dominating. The Cubs swept the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds in back-to-back four-game series at Wrigley Field. That kind of consistency is rare, and it's a testament to the team's depth and resilience, especially given the injuries they've faced in the bullpen.
3. The Comeback Factor
Memorable comeback victories have become a hallmark of this streak. Whether it's late-inning heroics or clutch pitching, the Cubs have found ways to win games that could have easily slipped away. It's that never-say-die attitude that has fans buzzing and opponents wary.
As Hoyer noted, "We have five more months to go, and we've got to keep doing it." But for now, Cubs fans have every reason to believe this team is special. And with a 15-game home winning streak, a 9-game overall streak, and a 26-12 record, it's hard to argue otherwise.