The Cubs went 2 and 2 over these four games since you last checked in, dropping the opener of that Baltimore Orioles series 2-3 on Thursday, July 9, then heading to Cincinnati and losing the first game to the Reds 0-4 before winning back to back, 5-3 on Saturday and 8-4 on Sunday. That means they took the Reds series and are now sitting on a two game winning streak.
The division picture barely moved. The Cubs are still second in the National League Central, 5 games back, actually a game closer than they were last week when they sat 6 back. The Milwaukee Brewers lead the division but went just 1 and 3 in their own games this stretch, so the gap closing is as much about the Brewers cooling off as anything the Cubs did. Over the last ten games the Cubs are 6 and 4, and their run differential ticked up slightly too, from plus 51 to plus 52.
Alex Bregman (3B) was the story at the plate. He homered in both wins over the Reds, going 1 for 4 with a homer and 2 RBI on Saturday, then 3 for 5 with a homer and 4 RBI on Sunday. Over the four games he hit .250 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI. Seiya Suzuki (RF) also had a strong day back on July 9, going 3 for 4 with a homer, 2 RBI, and a stolen base in the loss to Baltimore.
Now everything's paused for the All-Star break. The Cubs last played July 12, and baseball doesn't resume until they host the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field for a three game series starting Friday, July 17 at 5:05 PM.