There’s an adage about the Cubs and the postseason: that “CUBS” is an acronym for “Completely Useless By September.”
Sure, you could argue that this assertion—come Labor Day each year the Cubs have no chance to reach the playoffs—is often true. But in 2015, that’s no longer the case.
And thus “Completely Useless By September” is nothing more than a means by which White Sox fans can practice their spelling. (It’s OK. They’ll need something to do next month.)
The truth is the Cubs have done amazing things this season. What in April looked like merely a ray of sunshine on next year’s horizon has become a bright sense of hope for Cubs fans as the North Siders aim to clinch their first playoff berth since 2008.
Somewhere between summer’s cookouts and vacation fun, “this year” became in play all of the sudden. It kind of makes Cubs fans want to run through the sprinkler. And why not? That’s how we are.
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Yet as the Cubs close out the 2015 regular season, one fear might loom: The Cubs’ uncanny ability to beat top teams while struggling against bad ones. Need a few wins against San Francisco? No problem they swept four games from the Giants in early August. But three weeks earlier against the Phillies, one of the worst teams in baseball, the Cubs lost three straight at home.
As the Cubs face the tough contenders in Pittsburgh and high-flying St. Louis, should we be worried more about last-place Cincinnati and a four-game set in Philly? Let’s hope not.
Here’s a look at the ups and downs the Cubs have experienced this season.
April
The Cubs start 2015 by taking one game from the Cardinals, then win two of three in Colorado and at home against Cincinnati. But not before irking Cubs fans, sending Kris Bryant to the minors before Opening Day.
Prize free-agent acquisition Jon Lester struggles a bit on the mound, but Anthony Rizzo revs up with hits galore. Bryant debuts in an April 17 loss to San Diego. Jake Arrieta quietly fires up a 3-1 record. After splitting a four-game series in Pittsburgh, the Cubs win four of five to end April at 12-8.
May
Cautious optimism continues as the Cubs sweep four games from the N.Y. Mets at home. This after splitting four in St. Louis and losing two out of three to Milwaukee—twice. After a few hiccups, Rizzo continues to shine as Bryant hits regularly and pitcher Hector Rondon goes to 3-0. By end of May the Cubs look consistent, with a 25-22 record in a tough NL Central.
One hot summer
On June 16 a kid named Kyle Schwarber makes his major league debut, replacing starting catcher Miguel Montero, who got ejected in Cleveland. A night later Schwarber goes 4-for-5 at the plate and a month later becomes a Cubs regular. Now listed as an outfielder, he looks like a bona fide star.
The Cubs get to 40 wins by June 30, with Bryant and Rizzo heading to the All-Star Game, then cruise to 50-42 three weeks later.
But high times are not without fits and starts. The Cubs get put down hard by Chris Sale and the Sox on July 11. Two weeks later they lose all three at home against the woeful Phillies.
Plus it’s no dice on star pitcher Cole Hamels, whom the Phils trade to Texas instead of Chicago.
Completely Unstoppable By September?
The Cubs say “Happy Labor Day” to the first-place Cardinals with a 9-0 win, getting a two-run double from Dexter Fowler and a three-run homer from Addison Russell. Not bad after a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks in Arizona. But that’s not all.
People are talking Arrieta and the Cy Young Award. Rizzo, Russell and Dexter Fowler are killing it while Rondon is playing the ace in the bullpen. And Bryant just tied the Cubs’ rookie RBI record.
Can the Cubbies keep the momentum? Only September knows.
Andy Frye is a RedEye contributor. @mysportscomplex
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