The Chicago Cubs are back at Wrigley Field to kick off a seven-game homestand, starting Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 1:20 CT. Fresh off a strong road trip, the Cubs are looking to keep the momentum rolling in the friendly confines.
The Cubs are on an impressive streak, having won eight straight home games—a feat that hasn't been accomplished since September 2017. That streak included a perfect seven-game homestand and the tail end of the previous one. The last time any Cubs team won nine straight at home was back in August-September 2017, and the franchise record stands at 18 straight, set during the legendary 21-game winning streak in 1935. Fans at Wrigley have plenty to cheer about.
One key to the Cubs' success at home has been scoring first. They're a perfect 7-0 at Wrigley when they put the first run on the board and 12-5 overall in such games. Most of those early runs come in the first three innings—four times in the first, seven in the second, and three in the third. Last season, the Cubs were dominant at home when scoring first, going 33-8, including a 15-game winning streak from May through July.
The Cubs are also excelling at getting on base, leading all of Major League Baseball with a .353 on-base percentage. That's a stark contrast to the Diamondbacks, who rank 27th at .308. Only the Phillies, Giants, and Mets are worse in that category. On the mound, the Cubs are tied for fifth in fewest hits allowed per nine innings (7.6), while Arizona is tied for 25th at 9.1, ahead of only the Nationals, Orioles, and Phillies.
In today's Cubs history note, 35 years ago on May 1, 1991, Andre Dawson and Hector Villanueva both homered off future Cubs broadcaster Jim Deshaies in a five-run first inning, leading the Cubs to an 11-8 victory over the Astros at Wrigley Field.
Daniel Palencia is pitching with Iowa today, per manager Craig Counsell. For fans looking to catch the action, the game will be broadcast live on Marquee Sports Network. It's a perfect Blues Friday to don your Cubs gear and settle in for what promises to be an exciting series opener.