Cubs Rolling Into LA With 9-Game Win Streak, and the Dodgers Better Be Ready

The Chicago Cubs are on fire, and they're bringing that nine-game winning streak straight into the Dodgers' house on Friday night. This is the longest active win streak in baseball right now, and it's not some fluke run either. The Cubs just beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-7 in 10 innings on Thursday, with Dansby Swanson delivering the walk-off single to keep this thing rolling.

Defense Is Carrying the Load

Here's what's wild about this Cubs team: they're doing this while dealing with serious injury problems. Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are both done for the year with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain), Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps), and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are all on the 15-day IL. And it just got worse on Thursday when Caleb Thielbar had to exit in the ninth with left hamstring tightness.

Despite all that, the Cubs are tied with Cincinnati for the NL Central lead. How? Defense. According to FanGraphs, Chicago leads the entire majors with 12 defensive runs saved. Cubs manager Craig Counsell knows they've caught some breaks against struggling teams, but he's not complaining.

The Lineup Is Built Different

On Thursday, it was a three-run shot from Michael Busch that set the tone, with Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each adding solo homers in an 18-hit attack. Nico Hoerner is leading the team in basically everything you care about: .304 batting average, 22 RBIs, 31 hits, and 7 doubles. The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors with 32 home runs, and Counsell says that's the key to winning in baseball right now.

Jameson Taillon takes the mound for Chicago on Friday. He's 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA and just threw six innings of one-run ball against the Mets on Saturday. Against the Dodgers, though? He's 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts.

The Dodgers are countering with Emmet Sheehan, who's 2-0 on the season with a 5.85 ERA. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Sheehan's improved in his last three outings, noting better pitch quality and stuff. Andy Pages leads LA in batting average (.337) and hits (30), while Max Muncy tops the team with 8 homers.

First pitch Friday night in LA. The Cubs want to keep this streak alive. The Dodgers want to slow them down. That's baseball.

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