Cubs' Nine-Game Win Streak Rolls Into Dodgers Showdown With Division Lead on the Line

The Chicago Cubs are absolutely rolling right now, and they're bringing their hottest streak of the season directly into enemy territory. Chicago's nine-game winning streak, the longest in baseball, hits Los Angeles on Friday night as the Cubs and Dodgers go head-to-head in a three-game series featuring two of the NL's top teams. The Cubs beat Philadelphia 8-7 in 10 innings Thursday night, with shortstop Dansby Swanson delivering the walk-off single in the 10th.

Defense Is Carrying a Wounded Roster

Here's the wild part: the Cubs are doing this with their rotation and bullpen getting decimated. Starting pitcher Cade Horton is done for the season with a UCL injury. Reliever Porter Hodge is also out for the year with the same injury. Closer Daniel Palencia is sidelined with a left oblique strain. Relievers Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, and Ethan Roberts are all on the 15-day injured list. On top of that, left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited Thursday's game with a left hamstring tightness.

Yet Chicago is still tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead. The reason? Elite defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead all of Major League Baseball in defensive runs saved with 12. "It's unusual," Cubs manager Craig Counsell said about the nine-game streak. "You could say we've done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that."

The Bats Are Waking Up

Chicago's offense is doing heavy lifting too. Michael Busch launched a three-run home run Thursday. Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each added solo shots in the 18-hit attack. Nico Hoerner is leading the team with a .304 batting average, 22 RBIs, 31 hits, and seven doubles. The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors with 32 home runs on the season. "You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team," Counsell said. "I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far."

Taillon Takes the Mound Against Sheehan

Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings in a 4-2 win against New York. He's 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against Los Angeles.

The Dodgers counter with right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85 ERA). This will be Sheehan's first career appearance against Chicago. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts is seeing progress: "The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better. Lot better quality of pitch making."

Andy Pages is Los Angeles' leader at .337 batting average with 30 hits and 21 RBIs. Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers. Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker, who signed a four-year, $240 million deal with LA in the offseason, broke out of an 0-for-8 slump with two singles in the series against San Francisco.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.