The Cubs' Last 162 Games

On July 2, 2015, just a bit less than one calendar year ago, the Cubs completed a sweep of the New York Mets at Citi Field. (Wouldn't a repeat of that be nice?)

They have played exactly 162 regular-season games since the end of that series, 85 last year, 77 so far this year.

I thought it would be interesting to take a look at that full season's equivalent, which perhaps could give us a look at what's to come.

The Cubs are 106-56 since that series, 55-30 last year (the best record in baseball over that span in 2015) and 51-26 this year. The next-best record since July 2, 2015 is 98-63, by the Rangers, who the Cubs will see at Wrigley right after the All-Star break. That's a series we should all look forward to.

Here are some individual Cubs' performances since July 2, 2015.

Jake Arrieta: 33 starts, 226 innings, 129 hits, 36 earned runs, 65 walks, 237 strikeouts, 1.43 ERA, 0.858 WHIP, 26-3 W/L

Regarding Jake's 26 wins over the last 162 games: obviously, individual pitcher wins are less meaningful now than they used to be. But Jake does have a chance to post a 25-win season. Only one major-league pitcher has won 25 games since 1980: Bob Welch, for the A's in 1990. The last Cubs pitcher to win 25 games in a season was Charlie Root, who won 26 in 1927... 89 years ago.

Jon Lester: 32 starts, 215 innings, 162 hits, 60 earned runs, 43 walks, 217 strikeouts, 2.51 ERA, 0.953 WHIP, 16-9 W/L

Hector Rondon: 65 appearances, 63⅓ innings, 43 hits, 10 earned runs, 10 walks, 76 strikeouts, 1.42 ERA, 0.837 WHIP, 31 saves, four blown saves

Anthony Rizzo: 680 PA, 564 AB, 96 runs, 153 hits, 32 doubles, two triples, 35 home runs, 114 RBI, 84 walks, .271/.387/.523

Kris Bryant: 690 PA, 600 AB, 107 runs, 167 hits, 37 doubles, three triples, 37 home runs, 114 RBI, 73 walks, .278/.367/.565

Dexter Fowler (hurry back!): 646 PA, 543 AB, 94 runs, 150 hits, 37 doubles, seven triples, 16 home runs, 52 RBI, 88 walks, 15 stolen bases, .276/.387/.466

Ben Zobrist (2015 with Royals and Athletics, 2016 with Cubs): 657 PA, 562 AB, 95 runs, 163 hits, 36 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 69 RBI, 85 walks, .290/.382/.457

There's more, but you get the general idea. This team has several star players who have produced at a consistent high level for a full calendar year, and beyond. Keep up the good work.