During the Cubs' red-hot start, their best since the 1907 season, they have led the Major Leagues in run differential, and now have outscored opponents, 221-115. The large cushion has helped the starting pitchers, who began the day with the best ERA in the National League. But in three games prior to Thursday, the Cubs had not scored while the starting pitcher was in the game.
Dexter Fowler tried to reverse that trend with a leadoff home run, hitting Junior Guerra's second pitch over the right-field wall. But Guerra recovered and struck out a career-high 11 batters.