The Chicago Cubs have been on an absolute tear to start August, with 5 wins in 6 games that included a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In these 6 games, Chicago has won against the likes of Max Fried, Tarik Skubal, and Dylan Cease. These series have felt like a playoff environment, and the Cubs most certainly played like it. Despite this, the Milwaukee Brewers seem to never lose, and the Cubs remain 5.5 games back of them in the NL Central.
Following the trade deadline, the Cubs may finally have the firepower necessary to make a push at the NL Central lead. Their starting rotation may have finally found some stability, and that will certainly be put to the test this weekend as Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes make their Cubs debuts. With a rotation consisting of Gausman, Holmes, Matthew Boyd, and Shota Imanaga, Chicago has a real shot at the division. Edward Cabrera should be back soon as well and in the meantime Javier Assad and David Peterson have filled in quite nicely.
Chicago must get within striking distance before 7 games against the Brewers
On Monday, August 31, the Cubs begin a 4 game series against the Brewers, and shortly after they will play another 3 game series against them. It's foolish to believe that they will win every game, but what the goal should be is to get within reach of the division by the time those series arrive. If Chicago can even make up 2.5 games of ground before then, it should be considered a success.
There's no better time to begin than now for the Cubs. Chicago faces off in a 3-game series against the Kansas City Royals this weekend, and it will be necessary for them to sweep this series if they want to catch Milwaukee. Following the Royals series, Chicago will play the Nationals, Cardinals, White Sox, and Mariners. The Brewers on the other hand have upcoming series against the Padres, Dodgers and Braves. Assuming the Cubs can continue their dominance on all fronts, this seems like the perfect time for them to finally make up some necessary ground in the NL Central.
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