There's something special brewing on the North Side of Chicago. The 2026 Cubs are off to one of the best starts in franchise history, and they're doing it in style.

After a sluggish 7-9 beginning over the first 16 games, the Cubs flipped a switch. They ripped off 10 straight wins, stumbled briefly with three losses, and now enter Wednesday night's showdown against the Reds riding a seven-game winning streak. Even more impressive? They've won 13 consecutive games at Wrigley Field, turning their historic ballpark into a fortress.

So just how good is this 24-12 start? We dug into the record books, and the numbers are eye-opening.

Only four teams in Cubs history have had more wins through their first 36 games than this year's squad. And here's the encouraging part: three of those teams made the World Series, with two bringing home the championship. The lone exception was the 1903 club, which faded in June and finished third—but even that team set the stage for the dynasty that followed.

The 2026 Cubs are tied with three other legendary teams at 24-12: the 1910 and 1918 pennant winners (both fell short in the Fall Classic) and the heartbreaking 1969 squad. But this year's team feels different. With a deeper roster and a more engaged manager, they're better equipped to avoid the late-season collapse that haunted '69.

History tells us that four of the seven Cubs teams to start at least 24-12 went on to win 100 games—including the 2016 championship team. That's elite company, and it's a reminder that this kind of start is rare. Before 2016, you'd have to go back decades to find a Cubs team this hot out of the gate.

And the drama isn't just in the standings. The Cubs already have five walk-off wins this season, two more than any other team in baseball. The franchise record for walk-off wins is 14, set in 1930, while the 2015 Cubs had 13. The all-time MLB record is 17, held by the Pirates. At this pace, the 2026 Cubs might just chase down history.

Whether you're watching from the bleachers or cheering from home, one thing is clear: this Cubs team is playing baseball that hasn't been seen on the North Side in a very long time. And for fans who love the game, there's no better time to gear up and be part of the ride.