In 2016, the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series title in over 100 years. On Sunday, Aug. 31, 2020, the Cubs made history again in a victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Three members of the Cubs hit multiple home runs during a game and hit their way into the MLB record books.

The Chicago Cubs look to win another World Series title

After the Cubs won the title in 2016, they put the franchise in a new position. Instead of being one of the league’s worst teams, they became a contender to win multiple titles. In 2017, the Cubs looked to make another trip to the World Series but fell short, losing in the NL Championship Series to the LA Dodgers. In the last three seasons, the Cubs have had a winning record.

The consistency is there, but they want to compete on the big stage again. Chicago will have another chance to play for a title in 2020. Through 34 games, the Cubs are first in the NL Central Division with a 20-14 record. They have a 3.5 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals.

The culture is different for the Cubs. This is a team that people expect to perform at a high-level after they won the World Series, and since winning, they have put together some impressive seasons over the last three years. The Cubs have had some talented teams since winning the title, and this year’s team has the potential to give the Cubs another title.

Looking at the Cubs 2020 team

The 2020 Cubs’ team is filled with offensive threats and pitchers who can dominate on the mound. That’s what teams need if they want to win a World Series. On offense, the Cubs are led by Ian Happ and Jayson Heyward, who leads the team in batting average. Happ is batting .294 through 34 games, and Heyward is batting .286 through 29 games. 

Happ also leads the team in RBIs with 20 and is tied for first in home runs with nine. The Cubs are without one of their top players in Kris Bryant, who is on the 10-day injured list, and when he returns, he will boost the offense. Looking at their pitching, Yu Darvish has had a really good 2020 season posting a 6-1 record with a 1.47 ERA. Jon Lester and Alec Mills have made six starts and have a winning record.

The pitching staff will need to perform at a high-level, especially toward the end of the season if the Cubs want to make a run in the postseason. Teams in the NL should not sleep on the Cubs because this is a team that can make some noise.

The Chicago Cubs making history during the 2020 season

The bats came alive for the Cubs during the final game of the series against the Reds. Chicago’s starting outfield, Kyle Schwarber, Jason Heyward, and Ian Happ, all hit multiple home runs. According to Jeremy Frank, it was the first time an MLB team had all three starting outfielders hit multiple home runs during a game.

It was the first time the Cubs had three players hit multiple home runs since 1955 when Ernie Banks, Randy Jackson, and Dee Fondy did it. “Whenever you have a piece of history, you always keep that with you,” said Schwarber in an article from the Chicago Tribune. He hit a grand slam in the ninth to put the icing on the cake. This offensive performance is something that the Cubs needed to give them a boost for the remainder of the season.