Full Breakdown
Cubs Achieve Historic Second 10-Game Winning Streak in 2026
5/9/2026, 6:27:32 PM
Historic Double-10-Game Streak Unfolds
On Friday night in Arlington, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Texas Rangers 7–1, extending their current run to ten straight victories. The win, highlighted by Seiya Suzuki’s seventh homer of the season and Ian Happ’s RBI single, lifted Chicago to a 27-12 record—the best mark in Major League Baseball—and a plus-56 run differential. The triumph marks the Cubs’ second ten-game winning streak of the year, a feat not accomplished since the 1935 season.
Historical Context and Rarity
Only three teams have posted two ten-game winning streaks within the first 40 games of a season. The 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers were the last, achieving the mark in their opening 24 games. The Cubs join that exclusive club alongside the 1935 Cubs, who also recorded two such streaks, and the 1906 Cubs, who managed four. The modern-era rarity underscores the significance of Chicago’s early-season dominance.
Key Performances and Statistics
- Ian Happ extended his on-base streak to 29 games, the longest for a Cub since Bryan LaHair’s 30-game run in 2012.
- Michael Busch delivered a three-run double in the seventh inning.
- Ben Brown threw four hitless innings in his first start of the season, joining three relievers in limiting Texas to two hits.
- The Cubs have won 20 of their last 23 games, with three consecutive losses separating the two ten-game runs.
- The Rangers have gone 1-8 in their last 11 outings and remain three games under .500.
Official Statements & Responses
Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the rarity of the accomplishment, noting the team’s “recipe for a lot of wins” that blends strong pitching and timely hitting. Second baseman Nico Hoerner highlighted the statistical depth of baseball, calling the streak “a good sign” and urging the club to “keep it rolling.” Pitcher Ben Brown praised the collective effort, offering “kudos to all the guys in the clubhouse, all the coaches, all the trainers, the sports staff.” The organization’s leadership framed the streak as evidence of a “true juggernaut” early in the season.
Criticism & Opposition
Some observers questioned the quality of the victory. A Lonestarball writer described the Rangers’ performance as “the most wet fartiest game possible,” noting that Texas “was pummeled by an actually good team while cosplaying as the junior varsity Anaheim Angels.” The Rangers entered the game with a depleted roster—Wyatt Langford and Josh Smith on the injured list—and had struggled to generate offense, not recording a hit until the fifth inning. This perspective suggests the Cubs’ streak, while historic, may be partially aided by an opponent facing significant challenges.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That means you're doing something that's pretty rare, and I think we realize that,” — Craig Counsell, Manager, Chicago Cubs
- “Baseball is a game of a ridiculous amount of stats and things to look up, so anytime you have to go that far back, it is obviously a good sign, especially on a positive like that,” — Nico Hoerner, Second Baseman, Chicago Cubs
- “That's a crazy sentence,” — Nico Hoerner, Second Baseman, Chicago Cubs
- “Two double-digit winning streaks in a season, that sounds pretty wild to me,” — Ben Brown, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
- “That's kudos to all the guys in the clubhouse, all the coaches, all the trainers, the sports staff,” — Ben Brown, Pitcher, Chicago Cubs
What’s Next
Chicago’s next game will feature right-hander Edward Cabrera (3-0, 3.27 ERA) on the mound, while Texas will start rookie Jack Leiter (1-3, 5.45 ERA). The series continues Saturday night at Arlington, offering the Cubs a chance to extend their historic run.
