Cubs hot offensive start continues, record 10th game with 10 or more runs

The Chicago Cubs hold a two-game lead in the National League Central with a 29-20 record ahead of Wednesday’s rubber match against the Miami Marlins.

The team had the hardest schedule of any team in any month during the month of April and into May, yet they completed that gauntlet in first place in the NL Central.

How have they done it? They have gotten solid pitching from their rotation that has missed Justin Steele and is expected to be without Shota Imanaga well into June as well, but the offense has been incredible.

The Cubs rank first in run differential (+82) and RBI (285), fifth in batting average (.261) and home runs (68), second in hits (447) and third in stolen bases (61) of all teams in Major League Baseball.

After Tuesday’s 14-1 thrashing of the Marlins, the Cubs have scored 10 or more runs in 10 games this season. This is the most out of any team and the most for the Cubs through 49 games since 1898, per Sarah Langs.

Of course, adding Kyle Tucker to your lineup will help, but it isn’t just Tucker swinging the bat well. They have gotten great contributions from top to bottom including from Seiya Suzuki, who is tied for the MLB lead in RBI, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ and the catching position.

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Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly may be the best catching duo in MLB; they have combined for 12 home runs, 48 RBI and a .928 OPS.

Dansby Swanson has slashed .394/.457/.676 over his last 20 games, Nico Hoerner is hitting .292 with 22 RBI, Matt Shaw has had multiple hits in both games since being recalled and Michael Busch has an .834 OPS.

If the Cubs can continue to hit well, they can overcome any pitching woes they may face down the stretch.

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