Coming into Sunday’s series finale with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Cubs had been held to one run or fewer just three times in 35 games.
Entering Sunday, the Cubs had only allowed four starting pitchers to complete seven innings against them and in each case it was no more than seven.
Facing the Cubs meant you’d have to use your bullpen for more than an inning, no matter what.
Nearly two weeks ago in Pittsburgh, the Cubs sent Gerrit Cole to the showers in the fifth inning, working him for four walks and six hits while scoring six runs off him in 4 2/3 innings.