Al Yellon created Bleed Cubbie Blue and has been its managing editor since 2005. His latest book about the Cubs is "Chicago Cubs Firsts." Find him on Bluesky at @bleedcubbieblue.bsky.social
The Cubs, revamped with some free-agent signings (Jon Lester, in particular), a new manager (Joe Maddon) and a prized rookie (Kris Bryant), had gotten off to a decent start in 2015. Entering the action May 15 they were 19-15 and five games behind the first-place Cardinals in the NL Central.
They had just completed a four-game sweep of the Mets at Wrigley when the Pirates came in to open a three-game series on Friday, May 15.