MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs completed a four-game sweep of the New York Mets last week, an offensive surge that coincided with the dismissal of Mets manager Carlos Mendoza amid ongoing pitching struggles for his team.

The Cubs’ scoring outburst, which totaled 33 runs over the four games in New York, marked a sharp turnaround from their previous offensive difficulties. This surge helped Chicago regain confidence after a challenging stretch, despite continued concerns about their pitching roster.

Following the series in New York, the Cubs hosted the Milwaukee Brewers in a tightly contested three-game set. Chicago secured a 4-3 victory in the Sunday finale, thanks to a three-run rally in the 10th inning. The game, marked by only four hits from the Cubs, highlighted the resilience of the team despite offensive inconsistency. The series win came as a boost, providing a measure of redemption compared to their early exit from the National League Division Series last October.

Nevertheless, the Brewers, who have claimed the National League Central division title for three consecutive years and have consistently performed at a high level before that, remain a formidable opponent. Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd acknowledged Milwaukee’s status as the team to beat in the division.

Chicago now finds itself moving past what was viewed as a challenging segment of their schedule. They had faced 21 consecutive games against teams that entered June with losing records, a stretch that initially yielded mixed results. The team’s improvement at the plate late in that run was encouraging, though it has come alongside emerging difficulties within the Cubs’ pitching staff.

With offensive momentum returning but pitching concerns growing, Chicago’s ability to maintain its competitive standing in the National League Central remains uncertain as the season progresses.