The Cubs' 9-Game Win Streak Just Walked Into the Dodgers' House and Nobody's Ready For It

The Chicago Cubs are rolling into Los Angeles on Friday night carrying the longest winning streak in baseball, and they just beat a team that has now lost nine straight. This is not a drill. A 9-game win streak in the majors right now? That's the kind of momentum that gets people's attention.

The Cubs extended that streak to nine with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, with Dansby Swanson delivering the walk-off single in the tenth. Manager Craig Counsell knows what he's watching unfold: "A nine-game winning streak is unusual. You could say we've done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That's what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them."

Built on Defense and Pop Despite Injuries Everywhere

Here's the wild part: Chicago is doing this while dealing with some serious injury damage. Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are both out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia is dealing with a left oblique strain, and relievers Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, and Ethan Roberts are all on the 15-day injured list. On Thursday, left-hander Caleb Thielbar had to exit in the ninth inning with left hamstring tightness.

Despite all that, the Cubs are leading the majors in defensive runs saved with 12, according to FanGraphs. Their offense is clicking too: Michael Busch went deep with a three-run homer on Thursday, and both Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki added solo shots in an 18-hit attack. Nico Hoerner is leading the way with a .304 average, 22 RBIs, 31 hits, and seven doubles. Chicago is tied for fifth in the majors with 32 homers.

Counsell put it plainly: "You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far." The Cubs are currently tied with Cincinnati for the NL Central lead.

Taillon Takes the Ball Against Sheehan Friday Night

Right-hander Jameson Taillon gets the start for Chicago on Friday with a 1-1 record and 3.97 ERA. In his last outing against the New York Mets, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings in a 4-2 win. Taillon is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers will counter with right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who is 2-0 with a 5.85 ERA. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is seeing improvement: "The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better. He's had a lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That's something for us to build on."

Friday marks Sheehan's first career appearance against Chicago. The Dodgers just avoided a sweep at the hands of San Francisco with a 3-0 road win Thursday.

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