How much better does it feel heading into the final game of the series up 2-0 rather than tied 1-1, especially when the Cubs have been so bad in the last games of their sets this season? They’re 7-0 at home and 11-4 overall in series openers, but 1-5 at home and 4-10 overall in closers. Picking up their second sweep feels like a must, especially with the Cardinals riding a hot stretch.
They’ll need a much better effort from Jameson Taillon, who gave up five earned runs over four innings against the Mets. Four of the nine hits against him cleared the outfield wall and put the Cubs in an early hole that felt deeper than it really was.