Say you started watching baseball on June 20 of last season. Maybe you’d spent three months hiking in the Himalayas or finally decided to read the 1,000-plus-page book “Infinite Jest.” You didn’t even bother to check the standings. You just started watching baseball. In particular, you decided to watch the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs lost 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals on June 20. They lost 4-3 to the Cardinals again June 21. Trevor Rosenthal saved both games. The Cardinals won again June 22. No big deal; the Cardinals are usually good.