1973 started out well for the Cubs. After splitting a doubleheader with the Mets July 1, they finished the first half 48-33, in first place in the N.L. East, eight games ahead of the Cardinals.
What could go wrong?
These are the old Cubs. As you well know, plenty did go wrong back in that time when things looked that good, and they did in fact go wrong, in spectacular fashion. After a few wins and losses in early July, the rest of that month brought losing streaks of six and seven games, and in early August, another loss streak began that had reached eight by the time the Cubs and Braves met at Wrigley Field August 14.