Cubs Hot Start to 2nd Half is Exactly What They Needed to Build NL Central Lead

Remember when the Chicago Cubs hadn't won a series since early June and everyone was starting to wonder if they were as good as we thought?

Well, toss that narrative out the window, because this team has come out the second-half gates on fire!

Since the All-Star Break, the Cubs have been one of the hottest teams in baseball, looking more like the World Series contending team they were expected to be before the season.

They're 6-1 since the break, helping to stretch their lead in the NL Central to 2.5 games. If it weren't for hot play from the Brewers and Cardinals, the Cubs would be sprinting ahead in the division.

With nine straight games against the Brewers and Cardinals coming in late July, the Cubs have an opportunity to lengthen their lead in the division. That stretch of games could come at the perfect time for Chicago, as they've not only scored runs since the All-Star Break, but they've pitched well too.

Through the first seven games since the break, the Cubs are averaging 5.7 runs scored per game while only allowing 3.7 runs per game. Both the bats and arms are clicking at just the right time.

Yu Darvish recently got his first win at Wrigley since joining the Cubs, and is finally beginning to look the part of the ace they expected when they signed him two offseasons ago. The team will also be buyers at the deadline, looking to pair Lester and Darvish with another dominant arm.

Even if the Cubs don't make that big deadline splash, they are still equipped to contend in the National League.