On the heels of a 15-inning marathon win to secure a series victory in Arizona Sunday night, the Chicago Cubs enjoy a much-needed off-day on Monday before opening a brief two-game stint against the Seattle Mariners.
Chicago (14-12) enter Monday’s off-day just 2 1/2 games back of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals, who have somewhat quietly gotten off to a strong 17-10 start in the month of April. Their success is largely a credit to an offense that has the highest batting average (.269) in the National League.
The Cubs welcome their longtime rivals to Wrigley Field this weekend for a three-game set that will kick off a long stretch of action at home for Joe Maddon‘s ballclub.