The astronomically high expectations fans hold for this year’s Cubs don’t exist in a vaccum. The talented individuals who make up the organization hold them, too. That’s why this squad’s success (in the face of relentless adversity rings ever more impressive.) Every week, the Chicago Cubs come together, morphing into a galvanized team that plays for each other and appears primed for the postseason.

Scores of Illinoisans, from Batavia to the South Loop, will speak with anyone willing to listen about how special a place Wrigley Field is. This is an undeniable truth, but it’s even better when the boys in blue win. That happened a lot this past week, in six home games. Kicking off the proceedings with three games versus the Colorado Rockies, the North Siders’ commonly stout offense went missing, but the surging Jameson Taillon found a way to win. Taillon, now featuring a 3.86 ERA, was fabulous, going six and 2/3 innings in which he fanned seven batters. Dansby Swanson and Kyle Tucker delivered all of their club’s scoring for the day, with three RBIs between them. The Cubs secured game one by a score of 3-1.

I’ve hinted at the possible arrival of this squad’s bullpen, which has indeed made great strides as of late, but game two of this series proved it emphatically. On another uncharacteristically anemic day for the Cubs’ bats, the team plated two early runs—which would, sadly not be enough in an extra-innings contest wherein rookie pitcher Cade Horton encountered late trouble. The weary home-standers battled back from an 11th-inning deficit, with a heroic bloop single from third baseman Matt Shaw bringing home the winning run. Those theatrics earned the Cubbies the series win, 4-3.

While each team possesses a core of vital role players tapped to aid in their squad’s success, sometimes the stars must step up to deliver the spoils of victory. That’s exactly what transpired in the third and final game of this series unfolded versus a putrid Rockies team. With Matthew Boyd sparkling on the mound through six innings, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki (two of baseball’s RBI leaders) deposited two massive hits in a 2-1 victory. Crow-Armstrong launched his 15th home run of the season in the process. While a sweep of the Rockies was the presumed outcome from the outset of the series, it proved crucial in staying ahead of the Cubs’ division rivals. 

Following an off day Thursday, the North Siders welcomed in the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game weekend set. Terry Francona‘s club presented as a marked step up in quality from their prior opponent in Colorado. Game one of this tilt served as a punishment for the Cubs’ suddenly pedestrian offense. Starter Colin Rea suffered a rare stumble in the Friday afternoon contest, surrendering 10 hits and six earned runs. Newly acquired reliever Génesis Cabrera made his Cubs debut in what felt like a very low-leverage situation. He punched out three batters and issued one walk. The Reds used the long ball to thwart the home team, launching three devastating home runs. Not only did the North Siders lose 6-2, but in doing so, ended a dazzling run of victories in series-opening contests.

The Chicago Cubs hold several intangibles that make them a winning ball club, but one paramount trait is its knack for recovering after a deflating loss. On an experimental day for the pitching staff, Drew Pomeranz opened the game, providing a buffer for the struggling Ben Brown. It proved an effective strategy, as Brown spun six innings of shutout baseball, punching out nine Reds in a very encouraging outing. Offensive contributions from Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Dansby Swanson allowed the North Siders to scrape together enough for a 2-0 win at the Friendly Confines. 

Under crystal blue skies on the North Side, the team’s offense made its triumphant return in the rubber match. A confident and poised Taillon got another quality start under his belt, working efficiently and inducing pivotal ground ball outs. Michael Busch‘s two-run home run in the third inning set the tone for the home team. The charge returned to Busch’s bat, as the Cubs infielder delivered more quality plate appearances. The 7-3 win put the North Siders four games up on the rival St. Louis Cardinals, as a nine-game road trip is set to kick off this week.

Piling up wins and battle scars, this team is as unified as ever. As summer arrives, Counsell has his squad looking ready for a three-month grind that will land the Cubs a postseason berth, and perhaps much more.