What an exciting first half for the Chicago Cubs and their fans. The downs and ups. The starting pitching going from assumed strength to daily question mark. Then finishing at the break a surprising 2½ games ahead of the Brewers, and just when they started to feel like a formidable rival (which they may still be).
Jon Lester on pace for his first 20-win season. Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist have rebounded. Albert Almora Jr. is contending for the team’s first NL batting crown since Derrek Lee in 2005. And Kyle Schwarber’s making a surprise challenge for the outfield assist title.