“He’s always been a hitter,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s been the youngest player on his team, still, for his whole career. And he’s always been one of the better hitters, and that’s impressive.

The Chicago Cubs closed out there past week with a 2-4 record in their two separate three game sets that they played in. They began the week at home against the Giants and the series began with plenty of promise for the group that entered the week with a comfortable lead in the NL Central.

The Cubs have not lost more than three consecutive games since June 23-27 of last year, when they fell at home to the Mets, then lost three games at