The marquee at Bernie’s Tap & Grill across the street from Wrigley Field wasn’t devoted to any drink specials. It simply had a two-word message: “EXTEND STROMAN.”
With Marcus Stroman and Justin Steele atop their rotation, the Cubs have had one of the best pitching staffs in the National League in the first half (second-best, per ERA+). Even at 38-43 after Saturday night’s 6-0 loss to the Guardians, the Cubs are a hot week away from being right in the thick of a sluggish NL Central race. By late Sunday afternoon, both pitchers should be named All-Stars. No Cubs starting pitcher has earned that honor since Jon Lester in 2018.
