Chicago Cubs Red-Hot Offense Does Something for First Time Since 1930

The Chicago Cubs have gotten red-hot at the plate, putting up numbers not seen from this franchise in almost 100 years.
Aug 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) and second baseman Luis Vazquez (12) celebrate after both players scored runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Chicago won 14-10
Aug 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) and second baseman Luis Vazquez (12) celebrate after both players scored runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Chicago won 14-10 / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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If the Chicago Cubs don't make the playoffs this year, everyone is going to look back on this season with "what ifs?"

What if they hadn't gotten so banged up at the start of the season?

What if the front office had firmly addressed their bullpen issues?

What if they had just been able to scrape out a few of their close losses?

But, to the credit of everyone involved with the Cubs, nobody in the clubhouse or organization has hung their head and punted on the year.

Chicago is making a late push, winning the second-most games in the month of August (18) that trailed only their division rival Milwaukee Brewers and the superstar-laden Los Angeles Dodgers.

Recently, everything has been clicking for this team, including a prolific stretch on offense where they are putting up franchise-historic numbers.

On Sunday, they capped off their second consecutive series sweep with a 14-1 drubbing of the Washington Nationals, marking the fourth time in their last eight games they had scored 14 or more runs in a game.

With that came the most runs they have scored in a 10-game stretch since 1930.

This could very well be too little, too late for the Cubs as they still trail the Brewers by nine games for the division lead, but they have at least given themselves a shot to steal a Wild Card spot as they are now just 3.5 back in that race.

Chicago was always seemingly capable of doing this.

Even when they were dealing with injuries at the beginning of the year, they were contending for the top spot in the NL Central and even held a lead at one point before the wheels fell off.

The Cubs are a much better team than what they have shown this season.

That's evident by what they are doing to close out the year, and with one of the softest remaining schedules in the league, if they are able to continue playing the way they have, then there is a chance they pull off one of the biggest comebacks that's been seen in a while.

Their next three series are going to determine whether they can turn that possiblity into a reality.

Starting off with the Pittsburgh Pirates who they just embarrassed, there's no doubt their division foe will come into that three-game slate fully focused on getting revenge.

After that, they face the AL-leading New York Yankees at home before traveling out West to face the MLB's best team in the Los Angeles Dodgers.

With a good showing over the next week-and-a-half, there is a real chance Chicago could play their way into the postseason.


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Brad Wakai

BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai