53

The first place Cubbies beat the Pirates with a quality six inning, shutout, start from Yu Darvish who had seven strike outs.

Jason Kipnis got his first home run on a very windy night to help Chicago take the 6-3 win.

The Northsiders will host the Bucs again tomorrow at the Friendly Confines!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

54

The first place Cubbies guaranteed at least a split series in Cincinnati and took soul possession of first place in the Central with an 8-5 victory over the Reds!

Javier Báez cracked two home runs and David Bote knocked one to support Alec Mills' first start of the season where Mills went six innings to take the win.

The Cards fell to the Twins, so the number dropped twice tonight.

Source: Associated Press

56

57

Hey hey! The first place Cubs hung on to beat the Reds 8-7 in Cincinnati on Monday night. Jon Lester had a solid start (5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER) and Steven Souza drove in two in his Chicago debut. Anthony Rizzo hit his third homer of the season and scored three times.

But the star of the night was Jeremy Jeffress, who entered the game in the bottom of the ninth in a one-out, bases-loaded jam and picked up the save. Whew.

The four-game series continues Tuesday at the Great American Ball Park.  4 games down, 56 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

Image Credit:  Associated Press

58

Holy cow! The first place Cubs downed the Brewers 9-1 on a hot and humid Sunday at Wrigley behind a quality start from Tyler Chatwood (6 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 8 K) and some well-executed small ball by the offense.

A four-run fourth gave the Cubs the lead for good, and the bullpen tossed three innings of no-hit, shutout ball to slam the door.

With the game safely in hand, the Cubs broke out the big bats late, with Contreras, Happ, and Rizzo each homering to pile on the insurance runs.

The North Siders kick off a four-game set in Cincinnati on Monday. 3 games down, 57 to go!

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

60

Hey hey! The first place Cubs opened the abbreviated 2020 season with Kyle Hendricks tossing a complete game shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Brewers. The Professor was at his best (9 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 9 K), and homers from Happ and Rizzo gave the North Siders all the offense they'd need.

Hendricks' gem took only 103 pitches, and Milwaukee's three hits were all singles. Happ's two-run shot was a no-doubter, and Rizzo's 8th inning blast gave the Cubs an insurance run. The victory was also the first of manager David Ross's career.

Game two of the series -- and the season -- is underway at Wrigley. 1 game down, 59 to go!

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs