The Cubs became the first in the majors to 17 wins with Friday’s 6-1 victory over the Braves. Joe Maddon’s team has scored 136 runs and allowed 57, a plus-79 run differential.
The Cubs are 17-5 after 22 games, the best start to a season for the franchise since 1907 (18-4). And the 17 wins equal the most victories for a Cubs team in the first month of a season. Lou Piniella and the 2008 Cubs were 17-10 after the first month (0-1 in March, 17-9 in April).
Lost in Friday’s headlines was David Ross delivered another big hit starting his third straight game.