CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- With just more than two weeks left in the regular season, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein is both thankful for his team's first-place standing amid recent inconsistent play and also of the belief that the best is yet to come.
"We are on the top of the division, but we have a lot of work to do," Epstein said. "We have this work remaining if we are to accomplish one of our goals and win the division. We really haven't played all that well for a while now. We feel we are fortunate to be in the spot we are in and have this opportunity in front of us. It would be nice to find another gear and bookend the season with good stretches of play. If we close strong, the momentum will take care of itself going into the playoffs."
As of Thursday evening, the Cubs (25-19) held a 2.5-game lead over the Cardinals in the NL Central. Chicago had a hot 13-3 start before going 12-16 since.
While Cubs manager David Ross and first baseman Anthony Rizzo both downplayed the meaning of winning the division in a 60-game season that features all first- and second-place teams gaining entry into an expanded 16-team playoff format, Epstein was clear in what his first priority was.
"I would like to win the division," Epstein said. "I think we all would, because I don't know the exact context of the question. Certainly for me, winning the division is a goal."
The Cubs' inconsistent play has been marked by prolonged struggles from shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant at the plate, which is part of what gives Epstein hope moving forward. He knows the Cubs are counting on stars who have a proven track record of performing at a high level to turn it around, adding that, "This year, you can understand what has been going on around the game."
"We haven't really had sustained offense here yet," Epstein said. "We haven't got the expected contributions from our best hitters. That has played into it overall. We need our best hitters to produce. It hasn't happened yet, but there is certainly still time to define ourselves this season. One big hit down the stretch or one big hit in October can define a season. The script has yet to be written."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
