Having four days off after last weekend’s postponed series with the Cardinals might have been tough for a team as hot as the Cubs. But they seem to be showing no ill effects.
They kept the good times rolling, beating the host Indians 7-2 on Wednesday to earn a two-game sweep. The Cubs have won all five of their series this season.
Preparation has been a buzzword for the Cubs during summer camp and the shortened season, and in the midst of an ever-changing environment and schedule, the veteran ballclub hasn’t let a change in routine throw them off.
“I mean, it was weird having the series canceled and a day off mixed in there,” Kris Bryant said. “I feel like everybody has had to change their routine this year because you can’t really do the things that you’ve done in the past with the protocols that we have. You skip some things, and that’s how it is this year. I think it’s been important for us to be able to change on the fly and figure out what’s going to work for us this year.”
There were no signs of rust for the Cubs on the mound or at the plate, and it was clear manager David Ross’ team was ready to play after the four days off.
A day after Jon Lester threw six innings of one-run ball, right-hander Kyle Hendricks matched his teammate’s performance.
Hendricks allowed one run and seven hits in six innings and set the tone for his lineup.
“These guys prepared and took the downtime seriously,” Ross said. ‘‘We got good rest.
‘‘Luckily, it wasn’t too long of a downtime, and you saw the great at-bats even with the relievers coming in, man. . . . Phenomenal concentration, effort, energy. It’s a pleasure to come to work every day with this group.”
Cleveland hadn’t allowed more than four runs to any team coming into the series, but someone forgot to tell the Cubs’ offense. It scored seven runs in both games.
The Cubs took control in a three-run fifth inning with the help of a two-run single from third baseman David Bote that extended the Cubs’ early lead.
Anthony Rizzo and Bryant added solo homers in the first and sixth innings, respectively.
Bryant’s 430-foot blast came just moments after he jammed his wrist on a diving attempt in the fifth inning, but he showed no signs of pain on the home run. He would leave the game in the eighth. Bryant said after the game that it didn’t feel great but he’d be fine.
The Cubs are 12-3 with a major-league-leading .800 winning percentage and head back home to Wrigley Field for a 10-game homestand.
Being able to impose your will at home is one key to success for any winning team, but for the Cubs, taking care of business would put them further in the driver’s seat in the National League Central.
The Cubs have gotten comfortable with being uncomfortable through their first 15 games, and with the Aug. 31 trade deadline looming just a few weeks away, continuing to play baseball at this level might even bring reinforcements.
“Sometimes, when we get caught up in a normal season, where it’s 162 games, you kind of get so obsessed with your routine that you might be doing too much,” Bryant said. “When you have all the access, anything at your fingertips, it’s very easy to kind of go overboard.
‘‘So I think that’s kind of good for us that we haven’t been able to do what we could normally do and that we’re using it to our advantage.’’
