That's Cub!

Unlike 2015 and 2016, when the Cubs were a surging powerhouse, the 2018 Cubs have had to fight and scrap—thanks to a succession of injuries, a couple of disastrous free-agent acquisitions and a Jeckyll and Hyde offense.

But like any good team, they have won even when they weren't at their best. To the point where at this late date, they possess the league's best record. 

But fatigue looms over Wrigley Field like a flock of vultures.

The inexplicable offense, which routinely seizes up like a bum knee, is reason number-one the Cubs have struggled to a thirteen and eleven record this September.

While these Cubs lead the National League in games scoring eight or more runs (34), they also lead the league (and are second in MLB) in games where they were shut-out or only able to manage a single run (35).

And nemesis number-one—the Pittsburgh Pirates—are in town for a four-game series just as the Cubs seek to recover their mojo and snap off a big, fat winning streak.

True to form, the Cubs managed just a single run Monday night, succumbing 5 – 1. And Tuesday night they were shut-out, making it six games in a row the Cubs put up a run or less against the Pirate's staff of apparent Cy Young candidates.

(In fact, nine of the team's nineteen match-ups have found the Cubs unable to manufacture anything but a single run—or less. Predictably, the Cubs are 2 and 7 in those games.)

Less Jeckyll, more Hyde please?

Even when the Cubs got back into the swing of things Wednesday night and put up six runs in the game's first four innings, their other Achilles heel—a ravaged bullpen—surrendered two runs each in the eighth and ninth, necessitating a walk-off single by Albert Almora in the bottom of the tenth to salvage a win.

No wonder I require the presence of an EMT while watching games.

Lack of hitting aside, the starting pitching has been consistent, with late-season addition Cole Hamels adding heft to a rotation weakened by the twin failures of Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood.

But at this critical juncture, the bullpen is minus its two best arms. Brandon Morrow is out for the season with a bicep injury while Pedro Strop recovers from a strained hamstring. If nothing else, September has made clear that the less hitting you have, the more pitching you need.

If this misbegotten sundae of a season even requires a cherry, take your pick between the suspension of shortstop Addison Russell for domestic violence or the ruinous schedule revisions that had the Cubs reporting for thirty games in thirty days.

Sigh.

And yet our heroes remain in first place, albeit by the slimmest-possible margin. They close at home against the St. Louis Cardinals while their primary competition (the Milwaukee Brewers) does so against the Detroit Tigers.

I fight off recurring visions of 1969 and 2003 and focus on the truths uncovered in this season of struggle.

1. Joe Maddon is a great manager. He is perfectly attuned to this generation of ballplayers and knows how to motivate them and keep them listening. Buy-in is always critical for a manager or coach, and it's pretty obvious all concerned reach for their wallets when Maddon has something to say.

Maddon conjures up inventive strategies and isn't afraid to use them. Sure, they don't always work. But neither does my garage door opener. If nothing else, they combat the stress and mental fatigue that can settle at this time of year.

He has his naysayers. But who doesn't? If Strop beats out an infield grounder with the bases loaded and the Cubs win, Maddon's a genius with an otherworldly sense of the game. If Strop pulls a hamstring before he pulls up to first, Maddon's an idiot.

That's the way it goes in the sports racket. It's Maddoning.

I for one love the fact Strop was running his ass off trying to beat it. That speaks to Strop—and Maddon.

2. The Cubs are tough. They are focused. I haven't read of anyone complaining about the brutal late-season schedule, Kris Bryant's injury, Yu Darvish's crash and burn or the intense media crush that speculates about Every Little Thing. Every Day.

The Cubs show up ready to play. And more often than not, battle until the game is over. Best of all, they have bad memories when things go off the rails in an especially gruesome loss.

Tomorrow it's always the top of the first in a zero-zero tie.

3. Because they have struggled and haven't mowed over everyone in their path, a championship would be so much sweeter this year than in 2016.

Next up? Game four with the division rival Pittsburgh Pirates. Game time 7:05 PM CDT.

Go get 'em.