Is the race to win the Nationwide League Central already over?
You’re not supposed to begin a narrative with a query. They train you these things in journalism college, or at the very least they did again within the olden days when dinosaurs roamed the Earth and we communicated our ideas about sports activities by etching random shapes like torpedo bats on the edges of caves.
Anyway. No query marks within the lede. That was the norm.
However the Chicago Cubs are breaking their norm this season, and perhaps we should always comply with swimsuit.
For 109 years, the Cubs have known as Wrigley Area dwelling. It’s a stunning ballpark tucked right into a vibrant neighborhood, and regardless that current renovations have changed the realm’s old-timey appeal with a extra fashionable and sterile (and costly) vibe, there’s nonetheless nothing like a day at Wrigley.
One of many many issues to like in regards to the stadium is that for many years and many years, it has been a pitcher’s park. And it has been a hitter’s park.
All of it will depend on the month.
Within the early season, earlier than the ivy turns inexperienced on the outfield wall, the park historically has favored pitching. It may be fairly chilly in April in Chicago, and the persistent winds off Lake Michigan can knock down fly balls with out regret.
Subsequent comes the transition to hotter temperatures, and by the guts of the summer time in late June, July and August, the ball completely jumps off hitters’ bats at Wrigley. A routine fly ball to left in another ballpark simply can find yourself crusing over the wall and touchdown within the famed bleachers.
Fairly easy, proper?
Chilly video games within the early season, much less offense. Scorching video games within the coronary heart of the summer time, extra offense.
Besides this season already is totally different in Chicago. It’s the primary week of Could, and the Cubs are scoring runs as if July 4 is correct across the nook.
By means of their first 36 video games, the Cubs rank first within the majors in batting common (.262), third in on-base share (.338) and third in slugging share (.456). That provides as much as a .794 OPS, which trails solely the New York Yankees (.811) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (.795).
The Cubs rank first in hits, fifth in doubles, first in triples and third in dwelling runs. Oh, and by the best way, they lead the majors with 46 stolen bases in 53 makes an attempt.
Runs! We nearly forgot runs. They entered Tuesday with 217 runs, which ranked first within the majors. The Yankees are second with 190 runs, which is considerably behind Chicago’s tempo.
All of that is taking place within the time of season when the Cubs are alleged to face their best challenges to attain. In the event that they’re doing this now, think about what they could do when it’s 95 levels and the solar is thrashing down.
Cubs catcher Carson Kelly mentioned he and his teammates have been scoring in quite a lot of methods.
“I imply, it’s unimaginable,” Kelly mentioned after Monday’s 9–2 win over the San Francisco Giants. “You see it at the moment — placing strain on different groups might result in some errors and will begin a rally. I feel that’s what’s so dynamic about this crew is we’ve got it in all totally different facets.”
It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek to counsel that the NL Central playoff race is over, however the Cubs are in prime place to run away with the division because the season carries on.
Getting into Tuesday, the Cubs have been 22–14 and had a four-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers. That they had a five-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals and a 10-game lead over the last-place Pittsburgh Pirates.
Including to the benefit is that the Cubs are completed enjoying the Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks for the remainder of the common season. The remainder of their NL West schedule options six video games in opposition to the Colorado Rockies and 5 video games in opposition to the Giants.
So the Cubs have defied the chances to begin the season as an offensive powerhouse. They’ve created separation in opposition to an NL Central division that doesn’t appear to have a monster mendacity in wait, though the Reds are younger and thrilling. They usually’ve already wrapped up their regular-season video games in opposition to a few of the more durable groups within the league.
Come the commerce deadline, they’re the crew within the NL Central with probably the most capacity to extend their payroll in the event that they so select. Their group down the stretch might be even stronger than the group they’ve at the moment.
Is the race over?
It’s a legitimate query, even when that is only the start of the Cubs’ 2025 story.
