For one big swing in Wednesday night’s first inning, Willson Contreras took care of Cubs business with men in scoring position – driving his third career grand slam into the left-field basket.
Until then, the Cubs were the worst team in the National League at hitting with men in scoring position at just .243.
It’s the biggest factor that has held the Cubs from an extended hot streak in recent weeks, manager Joe Maddon said, especially in games such as Tuesday night against the White Sox, when they got another seven impressive innings of starting pitching (this time from Cole Hamels), only to lose 3-1 in the ninth.