After a disappointing loss on Saturday , the Chicago Cubs responded Sunday with an 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to take the weekend series at Wrigley Field.
With everything clicking, the Cubs showed out on both sides of the ball. Shota Imanaga led the way with another strong pitching performance that helped keep the Cubs in the driver's seat.
On a shortened day due to rain, Imanaga got through four innings without allowing any runs. Unlike Saturday, the bullpen picked up where their starter left off. The Cubs' relief crew only allowed one run, which came in the eighth inning on Shohei Ohtani's RBI double.
The Cubs offense was firing on all cylinders as Michael Busch kicked off the festivities with a three-run double in the bottom of the first.
After nearly a three-hour rain delay, Cody Bellinger joined in on the fun when he launched one of his signature "Belli Bombs" into the Wrigley faithful. His strong early stretch at the plate is a welcome sight as he looks to follow up a resurgent 2023 campaign.
It proved to be a very successful first homestand for the Cubs as they went a combined 5-1 against the Colorado Rockies and Dodgers.
What's On Tap Next?
The Cubs look to carry that momentum out west when they visit the San Diego Padres on Monday. Chicago's Pacific Coast swing then features series against the Seattle Mariners and reigning National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks. What may seem like a daunting road trip will be a great test for a Cubs team that has already hit the ground running on the young season.
Monday's game features Javier Assad taking the ball for the Cubs opposite old friend Yu Darvish. First pitch is at 8:40 PM CT and the game will air on Marquee Sports Network.
More must-reads: