Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Orioles 0 – July 11, 2024

The Cubs didn’t just win a series, they swept a series, outscoring their opponents 21-2 in the process.

And those opponents weren’t just any old team; the Cubs swept the first place Orioles. In Baltimore … for their second consecutive series win, fourth win in a row, and sixth win in their last seven games. That is just incredible for a team that looked like it had nothing left to offer just a week-and-a-half ago.

Indeed, before this four-game winning streak began, the Cubs had a -29 run differential. But after a 5-0 shutout against the Angels and then the absolutely drubbing of the Orioles (again, outscoring them 21-2 in three games), they’re up to just -5 overall. That’s a pretty incredible stretch of both the offense and pitching/defense clicking at the exact same time.

Speaking of which, yeah, what a great freakin’ night all around.

Nico Hoerner had two hits, including a double. Michael Busch had a walk, an RBI double, another “double” that was lost in the sky (.010 xBA … LOL), and three runs scored. Seiya Suzuki had THREE extra base hits, Ian Happ had a double, Dansby Swanson had a couple of hits plus a homer (and another near-homer that was caught). Even Tomas Nido made some hard contact and got a hit and a run scored. It was an absolute hit parade all night long, with 13 total knocks, two walks, and just five strikeouts.

And here’s the best part: Even if they didn’t do HALF of that, the Cubs would have had a comfortable lead, because Justin Steele was absolutely LIGHTS OUT yet again (he’s the Ankin Law “Making it Personal” Player of the Game, of course).

Against a really good Orioles team, in their house, Steele threw 7.0 shutout innings with just three hits scattered throughout and no walks. And he did that after throwing his first complete game in his last start. He’s just on an absolutely incredible run and it is really fun to watch.

And, hey, how about a little love for the Cubs bullpen who was absolutely dominant throughout this series.

Full Box Score.