For the better part of the last 6 weeks everyone that follows and or roots for the Cubs have been trying to figure out what’s gone wrong with the 2024 Cubs. Trying to explain the mediocre numbers, blown saves player ennui has been exhausting.

Even the boosters that call Cub games have started to doubt their predictions for averageness. Most of them asserted that the NL Central was winnable and that their talent would win out. We’ve seen that to be mere folly as the Brewers are currently (entering Thursday’s finale with SF) 22 games better than the Cubs. That’s why the Cubs are 11 games behind the Brewers. That the Cubs are only 5 games out of a wildcard slot isn’t any consolation. Only the Rockies and Marlins have worse records.

On Friday the Cubs head north to American Family Field for a three-game series with the Brewers. And despite what I just typed, I expect the Cubs will take two of three from the Brewers because that’s what happens in baseball and goofy rivalries like Cubs-Brewers.

There isn’t a Cub booster (read, everyone covering the team) that doesn’t believe the Brewers roster is superior. It’s not as if Milwaukee is sending out Spahn and Sain to counter the Cubs rotation (an actual strong point). The weather will play a factor and I predict the Cubs offense will emerge from hibernation. The problem with the Cubs having success this weekend is that Chicago management will think they’ve figured it out and won’t make the necessary changes.

I won’t be making the trip up north, but I will be listening and watching from afar.