The Chicago Cubs are off to their hottest start since their historic 2016 World Series championship season, and while they stumbled into the new week with back-to-back losses, there's plenty of reason for excitement on the North Side.
On Friday, the Cubs notched their 10th consecutive victory—marking their second 10-game winning streak of the season before mid-May. That's a feat that hasn't been accomplished this early in the schedule since the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, and it's only the third time a team has done so since the 1800s. Even with Saturday and Sunday's losses, Chicago owns one of the best starts in franchise history.
Looking back over the last century, the only better start through 41 games came in 2016—the year the Cubs ended their 108-year World Series drought. The current squad's .659 winning percentage translates to a 107-win pace over a full season. While topping 100 wins might be a stretch, a mid-90s win total is well within reach for this talented group.
The Cubs offense ranks fifth in batting average, first in on-base percentage, and fifth in slugging. What's encouraging is that no obvious regression candidates stand out, while players like Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, and Pete Crow-Armstrong have room to improve as the season progresses.
Defensively, Chicago rates among baseball's elite across multiple team-wide stats. The middle infield is particularly strong with Nico Hoerner at second base, Dansby Swanson at shortstop, and PCA patrolling center field.
The bullpen has dealt with injuries, but manager Craig Counsell has navigated the challenges well. Daniel Palencia and Phil Maton have returned, with Caleb Thielbar nearing activation. The bullpen's 3.87 ERA ranks 12th in the majors.
The rotation remains the biggest concern, with serious injuries to Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton, plus a setback for Justin Steele. However, Shota Imanaga has pitched like an ace, Jameson Taillon and Edward Cabrera have delivered solid outings, Colin Rea has been a reliable fill-in, and Ben Brown recently tossed four no-hit innings.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays continue to lead the American League, though it's admittedly a weaker field this season. The Braves, as expected, keep climbing the standings with their usual blend of power pitching and explosive offense. For fans looking to gear up like their favorite teams, now is the perfect time to grab Cubs, Braves, or Rays apparel to celebrate these hot starts.