What happened: ESPN's Buster Olney highlighted Pete Crow-Armstrong's dramatic split in Chicago's wins versus losses this season. In Cubs victories, PCA is hitting .355/.418/.678 with 11 home runs; in losses, he drops to .183/.270/.305 with 4 homers. The gap frames the center fielder as a bellwether for how the Cubs fare on a given night.
Why it matters: It underscores how tightly tied Chicago's results are to its young star's production as the club sits at 40-36 in a crowded race. When Crow-Armstrong is driving the ball, the Cubs win; when he scuffles, the lineup tends to stall. One replying account noted that elevated stats in wins is common across hitters, a fair caveat to the splits.
By the numbers: Cubs wins: .355/.418/.678, 11 HR. Cubs losses: .183/.270/.305, 4 HR. Chicago is 40-36, scoring 4.7 and allowing 4.4 runs per game, winners of two straight including a 16-2 rout of Toronto on June 19.
What to watch: Watch whether Crow-Armstrong's bat stays hot as the Cubs continue their series with Toronto, with Chicago in front 3-0 early.