MLB Power Rankings: Cubs off to hottest start since 2016, while Braves keep soaring up the standings

In other words, the only better start for the Cubs in the last century was the year the Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years.

Is it sustainable? Depends on what we mean here. The record right now is a .659 winning percentage, which is a full-season pace of 107 wins. I can't see them winning more than 100. Mid-90s? Yeah, that's definitely doable for this group.

The offense is fifth in average, leads the majors in OBP and is fifth in slugging. Individually, no one really sticks out as an obvious regression candidate on offense at this point, while it's reasonable to believe Michael Busch and Alex Bregman -- and possibly Pete Crow-Armstrong -- get better the rest of the way.

Defensively, the Cubs rate out on several different team-wide stats as one of the best teams in baseball. Up the middle is especially strong with Nico Hoerner at second, Dansby Swanson at short and PCA in center.

The bullpen has been banged up, but Craig Counsell has managed it well and now Daniel Palencia and Phil Maton are back, while Caleb Thielbar isn't very far off from a return. The bullpen ERA of 3.87 is 12th in the majors.

The concern is the rotation, due to serious injuries to Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton, as well as a setback for Justin Steele. Still, Shota Imanaga has been ace-like and the Cubs have gotten mostly good work from Jameson Taillon and Edward Cabrera. Colin Rea has filled in admirably and Ben Brown threw four no-hit innings Friday as he looks to transition into the starting rotation.

Through Friday, the Cubs had won 20 of 23 games. They've still won 20 of 25. It's one hell of a stretch of baseball. It's the best they've looked since 2016. Pair this with how the Braves have played so far and the Dodgers might just have their hands full on the National League side of the playoffs this October after slicing through it last year with a 9-1 record.

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