Cubs Chasing Nine-Game Win Streak While Phillies Spiral Into Worst Month Since 2018

The Chicago Cubs are rolling. They've won eight straight games and are one victory away from matching their longest winning streak since 2016, when they won 11 in a row from July 31 to August 12. On Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field, they'll take their shot at a four-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies, a team that has completely fallen apart.

Here's what's scary about the Cubs right now: their pitching is locked down. In all eight wins, they haven't allowed more than four runs. Their offense is clicking too. They've now put up seven runs in back-to-back games. Pete Crow-Armstrong went three-for-four on Wednesday to lift his average 22 points to .247, and Michael Busch connected on his first home run of the season after hitting 34 last year.

The Cubs Have Figured Out How Good Offense Actually Works

Manager Craig Counsell nailed it when he talked about what separates good offenses from bad ones. "You're never going to have all nine guys rolling at the same time," Counsell said. "If you have enough good hitters in there, you expect a group of them to be seeing it well and swinging it well at one time. Some of the guys that are off to a little bit of a slower start had big nights (on Wednesday). That's how I think a good offense should work."

Edward Cabrera, the right-hander acquired from the Miami Marlins in January, takes the mound for Chicago. He's 2-0 with a 2.38 ERA through five starts and has given up just six earned runs in 22 2/3 innings with his new club. In his last start against the Mets, he went six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits in a 12-4 victory. Cabrera has leaned heavily on his changeup, throwing it 36.6% of the time.

The Phillies Are In Free Fall

Philadelphia is a mess. They've lost eight straight, their longest losing streak since 2018. They got outscored 19-7 in this series alone. They now share the worst record in the National League with the New York Mets at 8-16. Manager Rob Thomson is trying to stay positive, but the reality is grim. "Baseball is a long season and we've got a long way to go," he said. "I think there's a lot of frustration here, but at the same time, these guys know we have a talented group. We just have to stay after it and keep fighting."

Cristopher Sanchez will start for the Phillies. The left-hander has the third best ERA in the National League at 1.59 and has struck out 39 batters. But he's struggled against Chicago, going 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA in three matchups. His last outing against the Cubs on April 13 was better, though: six innings, two runs allowed, and a 13-7 Cubs win.

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