Chicago Cubs 2016: Top moments from the season

August: 11-game winning streak

After their hiccup in July, the Cubs exploded through August. They reminded how dominant they really were when they went on a big winning streak. That streak lasted 11 games.

The first win actually came on July 31st, when they came back from a 6-0 third-inning deficit against the Seattle Mariners to win on a walk-off bunt by none other than Jon Lester. That nationally televised game got the momentum going for the Cubs, and they took off like a rocket.

After that amazing win against the Mariners, the Cubs proceeded to sweep the Miami Marlins, then the Oakland Athletics, then the Los Angeles Angels.

Then they faced the hated Cardinals.

The Cardinals are the class of the NL Central. They own many division titles and World Series titles. Every year they are playoff contenders.

Yes, the Cubs beat the Cardinals in the playoffs in 2015. This was a different year, however, and the Cards were out for blood. Even as the Cubs rolled over every team, they had a 4-5 record against St. Louis. They needed to stand up to the Cardinals and show there was a new power in the division.

The Cubs faced the Cardinals riding their streak at nine. They battled through 11 innings before an Anthony Rizzo bases loaded walk gave the Cubs a walk-off win.

The streak runs to ten.

The next day, the Cubs just mauled the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright, the Cards’ best pitcher, gave up seven runs in just two innings. The Cubs hit five homers, including two by Szczur, on their way to a 13-2 bashing.

The streak hits eleven.

That winning streak was the Cubs’ longest since 2001. It established their dominance again. When the streak began, their division lead was 6-and-1/2. After the steak, it stood at 14. They would never look back, and they coasted on their way to the division title.