Cubs Reach 10 Games Over .500, Catch Giants in Wildcard Race

The Chicago Cubs are now 10 games over .500 a threshold that has much significance for the team battling for a wildcard berth in the National League.

By sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, the Cubs also tied the San Francisco Giants for the second and final wildcard in the NL.

Later this week the Cubs and Giants play head to head but for now, Chicago is savoring its best record of the season after its 4-3 victory on Sunday.

The Cubs were led in their sweep of the Brewers by Anthony Rizzo their first baseman who smacked four homers. The rookies are also starting to come back around after getting a second wind. Kris Bryant has slumped but still is able to contribute.

Kyle Schwarber continues to receive praise for his defense as well as his hitting. Schwarber did not get much praise in his first games behind home plate, but it finally is coming, and deservedly so.

Addison Russell has started to perform after adjusting his stance to being more upright and adding a kick of the leg. He hit a 423-foot home run Sunday making his confidence grow even more.

Every Cubs player contributed to the sweep even Tommy Hunter the team’s newest member whose bullets earned him a save on Saturday. On Sunday, Hector Rondon was able to survive a scare in the ninth inning to close out Chicago’s sweep and keep the team on a high as it heads to two important series this week first against Pittsburgh and finished off against San Francisco.

The Cubs know Pittsburgh is up next, but are taking their upcoming games like all those played before just one at a time.

On Sunday one journeyman pitcher, four rookies and a player from a Rule 5 pick serving as the team closer helped Chicago to its first series sweep of four games of Milwaukee since 2008.

Joe Maddon the Cubs managers said it was excellent to reach the 10-plus wins over .500 mark and has placed the next goal of getting to 15 over the mark.

With only 58 games left in the regular season, the Cubs can see the postseason in their sights and after their sweep over the Brewers their confidence is reaching one of its highs.

The Cubs only trail the Pirates by four games in the wildcard race and could cut into that gap with a solid performance this week head to head with Pittsburgh.