The Cubs have managed to cling to a virtual tie for first place by virtue of the Brewers going 4-6 over their last 10, and being six games over .500 despite myriad injuries is actually pretty admirable. However, they’re 1-3 in extra innings with a 9-10 road record and the offense has averaged under three runs per game over their last dozen contests. That doesn’t really bode well considering they’re on the road for the next six games, three of which are in Atlanta, before hosting the Braves in a little less than two weeks.
In between those series sit a pair of matchups with the Pirates that might otherwise have seemed like welcome reprieves given Pittsburgh’s 17-21 record and -22 run differential.