The Cubs first reached 18 games over .500 on July 4 with an 11-3 win over the Cardinals. They’ve played 38 games since then and they are 19-19 over that time. That feels like a lot of lost opportunity. The massive run the Brewers went on as a backdrop to that stretch was adding injury to insult. What felt like it should be a National League Central title has almost certainly drifted away.

That’s still the sobering reality. But, at least for one day, the Cubs took care of business again. They swept a doubleheader from the Brewers and they cut the division lead to seven. That’s still a massive deficit this late in the season. Though for what it’s worth, they built it about that fast. There are 36 games remaining. If the Cubs split those last 36 games, they will win 90 games. That would requ

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