The Chicago Cubs sit atop the NL Central Division, 5.5 games ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers as of this writing. A first-place team at this point of the season has to be good.

Watch the top highlights from the Chicago Cubs' 7-1 win over the Nationals in the series finale on June 5, 2025, at Nationals Park. Check it out below: Subscrib

With the best vantage point in the house, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson pumped his fist in the air as second baseman Nico Hoerner shuffled up from the infield dirt. Hoerner had just made a diving snag of a liner off the bat of Isiah Kiner-Falefa,

They finally had gotten past reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, putting two runners on for Suzuki before the Tigers brought in right-hander Will Vest to face him. But the Cubs fell just short, falling 3-1 in a battle between first-place teams.

It is, and always will be, about pitching. "The quest for opportunities in pitching," manager Craig Counsell said, "it's 365 days (a year)."