PHOENIX — The Chicago Cubs might not be the best team in their own division.
They might not even be the best team in their hometown.
But, oh, as they proved Monday night with a 7-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in front of largely their own fans at Chase Field, they sure are armed and dangerous.
The Cubs, 76-56 and running away with the NL wild-card race, are dreaming big.
Yes, World Series big.
“I think one of the big things is having a real honest belief that you can win the whole thing,’’ Cubs veteran outfielder Michael Conforto said, “and I think there’s no doubt that we believe that. I don’t think that’s super common around the league to fully believe that you can win the whole thing.’’
Conforto, cast off by the Los Angeles Dodgers this
winter when they replaced him with Kyle Tucker, has been an integral part of the Cubs’ success in a part-time role. He signed a minor-league contract in February for just $2 million, and after going 3-for-3 with a double, homer and two RBI, now has 12 homers for the season.
That’s only one more homer in 270 fewer plate appearances than Tucker, and also $238 million cheaper.
Yes, Cubs manager Craig Counsell says, he definitely has exceeded expectations.
“I think when you can sign a player of his stature and they come in and accept a role that’s not something they’ve done before,’’ Counsell said, “I think it build things around the room. I think Mike’s been a real connector for this group. So that his production and his leadership from that perspective has been really important.’’
This is the first time Conforto, who has played for 11 years, has been a part-time player. He has made nearly $80 million in his career. But now, at this stage of his career, it’s all about winning.
“I felt more like I’ve come in here and just joined the party,’’ Conforto said. “The big thing is coming in here and being honest at this point in my career. I just want to win games. You can get to a place in your career where maybe it’s not so much about the money and the playing time, it’s about being part of something special.
“I was lucky enough to be somewhat a part of that last year, and I just want to do my part to help us get there. That’s really the biggest thing for me.’’
Veteran starter Kevin Gausman, who the Dodgers faced in the World Series a year ago with the Toronto Blue Jays, certainly pitched like a guy who plans a return trip to the big dance. He was acquired at the trade deadline, and showed just why he could be invaluable for the Cubs’ rotation, giving up just three hits in seven shutout innings.
Maybe it wasn’t his best start of the season, saying he still will take that seven-inning, one-hitter over the New York Yankees in June ("Hey, anytime you can beat the Yankees"), but he showed off why he could a force in their playoff rotation.
The Diamondbacks were looking for his split-fingered fastball all night, and he instead pounded them with four-seam fastballs, and cruised all evening, giving everyone a glimpse of what to expect in October.
When MVP candidate Pete Crow-Amstrong can go hitless in five at-bats, red-hot Alex Bregman can manage just one hit, and the bottom three hitters of Pedro Ramirez, Conforto and Carson Kelly can go 6-for-10 with a double, triple, two homers, four runs and four RBI, you’ve got a complete team.
“The sky’s the limit,’’ Gausman said. “This defense, this offense, the pitchers that we have here, it’s a really great team. Not many weaknesses. When you play good, clean baseball, you’re going to put your team in a good spot to win every night.
“I mean, they’re just relentless, from one through nine. There’s no gaps in this lineup.’’
The Cubs could have more reinforcements coming, too, with pitcher Ben Brown (neck stress reaction) expected to fly back to Chicago with the team and perhaps start a rehab assignment and Justin Steele, who has been out since April 2025, hoping he can return in relief in September.
“It’s been a long road and feels really good to get towards the end of that tunnel,” said Steele, who is scheduled to throw two bullpen sessions this week with hopes of beginning a rehab assignment in early September. “You see how the team’s playing. You just want to get back and help.’’
Still, as much as Counsell loves the enthusiasm, he tapped the brakes on a potential return for Steele. He didn’t completely rule it out, but reminded everyone that Steele hasn’t pitched in 16 months after undergoing elbow surgery, has yet to go on a rehab assignment, and has pitched to live batters only once.
For Steele to return and pitch effectively for a team fighting for the NL Central title with hopes of playing deep into October, it might be as realistic as the Cubs inviting the Green Bay Packers to sing the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley.
“We have a lot of steps to go before we get there,’’ Counsell said. “I mean, he hasn’t pitched in an affiliated game in almost two years, so let’s get him pitching in an affiliated game. I think we can understand that he’s going to have to pitch in multiple games before he’s ready.”
No matter, the Cubs, who will show off their other big trade addition Tuesday with starter Clay Holmes, believe they’re ready to make this a memorable October, perhaps even resurrecting memories of 2016.
This team, Conforto will tell you, exudes that same confidence the Dodgers had a year ago, believing there’s no reason they can’t be the last ones standing.
“There’s just people who really, really want to win,’’ Conforto said. “There’s one goal. And it’s just winning.’’
Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Confident Cubs feel 'sky's the limit' when it comes to October
