The 2026 Cubs have achieved two distinct 10-game winning streaks in their first 39 games, a historic start. They are on track to match the 2016 Cubs' success, but comparisons are cautioned against as each season is unique.
The 2026 Cubs are off to an historic start. Itās an exceedingly rare occurrence to have two distinct 10-game winning streaks over a teamās first 39 games. Certainly none of us have seen the Cubs do anything like this before. For what itās worth, just from an overall standpoint, it only took the 2016 Cubs 40 games to win 29. The Cubs will take at least 41 to get there and that would mean sweeping this series. After reaching 29 wins, though, that 2016 team lost three straight. If these Cubs split their next four games, they will have matched those Cubs through 43 games.
I traditionally abhor comparisons like that. Chasing the best seasons (or best players) in your teamās history just sets you up for failure. This team is very much different than that one. But more importantly, this team could win more games than that one in the regular season and not win a championship. Or, it could lose more regular season games but go on to win anyway. While regular season success has some correlation to postseason success there are many factors that can be predictive of postseason success. Thatās why I donāt like comparisons. Instead, I like to let each season breathe and be its own thing.
Through a fresh lens, Iām able to relax and enjoy myself more. To enjoy what each win can bring. Right now, Iām enjoying underestimating this team. Iām normally such an optimist when it comes to them. I feel like Iām usually a little bit disappointed because that they leave some winnable games on the table. Not this team, though. Over the first few weeks of the season, maybe they let one or two get away. But over these last 23 games? Just one game in San Diego that maybe a couple more plays might have flipped. Otherwise, this team just keeps winning. They win when everything clicks. They win when things are rough.
20 wins in 23 games. It really is quite remarkable. Itās the kind of run that an all-time great NBA team might go on. Itās usually the kind of run we only really see out of the best few NCAA hoops teams in a given year. It is a wholly remarkable streak for an MLB team to have. Itās frankly inconceivable. And a whole lot of fun. And I just donāt want it to end. Keep the greed rolling. I donāt know where all of this ends, but letās just keep tearing up the script.
Three Positives:
The Cubs have won 29 games in their first 39 games of the 2026 season.
The Cubs' start is significant because they have achieved two separate 10-game winning streaks, a rare feat in MLB history.
While the 2016 Cubs reached 29 wins in 40 games, the 2026 Cubs could match that record by winning their next four games.
The Cubs' current winning streak of 20 wins in 23 games suggests they are performing at an exceptionally high level, comparable to some of the best teams in sports history.
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Hat tip to just about everyone, but particularly Pete Crow-Armstrong, who had two more hits including a double the other way and stole a base. OPS .721 and climbing (wRC+ 103)
Game 39, May 8: Cubs 7, Rangers 1 (27-12)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
THREE GOATS:
WPA Play of the Game:Ā Seiya Suzukiās two-run homer with no outs in the fourth extended the Cub lead to three. (.159)
*Rangers Play of the Game: Justin Foscue singled with runners on first and second and one out in the fifth, scoring the Rangers only run and briefly cutting the Cub lead to two. (.106)
Player of the Game:
Game 38 Winner: ShÅta Imanaga received 204 of 289 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings:(Top 3/Bottom 3)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
**Current Win Pace:**112.15 wins
Up Next:Ā Game two of the three-game set on Saturday night in Texas. Edward Cabrera (3-0, 3.27, 41.1 IP) makes his eighth start as a Cub. Heās thrown at least five innings in every start and has allowed exactly three earned runs in five consecutive starts (winning three of those). So you kind of know what to expect out of him. In two road starts, heās allowed three runs in 11.1 innings.
26-year-old Jack Leiter (1-3, 5.45, 38) makes his eighth start of the year. The second overall pick by the Rangers is one of five different family members to pitch professionally. Most of us know his cousin Mark Jr. best, former Cub. Al Leiter is Jackās dad and Mark Leiter Sr. his uncle. One can only imagine what a family softball game might look like. Jack has made 45 appearances at the big league level, 42 of them starts, with a 4.91 ERA. So he hasnāt quite lived up to the hype of the 2nd overall pick yet. But he does have 43 strikeouts in his 38 innings, so the stuff is real. Last time out, he allowed five runs on five hits and a walk in 6.2 innings, striking out 10. He was the loser in that one and hasnāt won since his season debut back on March 30.
Keep finding ways to win.
Go Cubs.