The Cubs are still having their ups and downs, but they can really score runs when they get rolling

Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson, right, celebrates with Michael Conforto, left, and Justin Dean after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Chicago, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson, right, celebrates with Michael Conforto, left, and Justin Dean after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Chicago, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

By NOAH TRISTER / AP Baseball Writer July 6, 2026 3 min read

The Chicago Cubs battered San Diego to the tune of a 23-3 score that would have seemed more appropriate for an old Bears-Chargers matchup.

Then, in their very next game, they lost to St. Louis 17-1.

The Cubs have been a tough team to figure out this season. By May 9 they’d already had two separate 10-game winning streaks and were 15 games over .500. Then a week later they began a 10-game losing streak. Chicago is now 10 games over .500 but trails the Milwaukee Brewers by six games atop the NL Central.

On Wednesday, Dansby Swanson hit three home runs with eight RBIs as the Cubs produced their most runs at home since 1977. San Diego catcher Rodolfo Duran pitched the final two innings, allowing eight runs.

After a day off, Chicago looked like a completely different team Friday, when David Peterson allowed 10 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Cardinals.