Nine days ago I wrote that the Cubs were about to embark on their most important series with the Pirates in years and the outcomes of those games could keep the Cubs competitive hopes alive or all but ensure they were sellers, yet again, at this year’s trade deadline. So far, the Cubs have completely risen to the occasion — sweeping the Pirates in three games at Wrigley Field, and again to start this week in Pittsburgh, while taking two out of three from the Orioles in between.
That surge was necessary, but not sufficient to keep the Cubs’ hopes alive.