Thursday notes: • GOING FOR FIVE: The Cubs have a chance tonight to notch a fifth consecutive victory, something they have done only once before all season, back on March 31-April 5, when they swept three games against the Athletics at Sacramento, then won their first two games of the year at home against the Padres. The Cubs have won four in a row three times since then: May 25-28, before losing to the Reds, 6-2; July 1-4, before losing to the Cardinals, 8-6; and July 12-19, before losing to the Red Sox, 6-1. Each loss came at home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53) • LEADING AND TRAILING: On Aug. 21, the Cubs fell behind the Brewers, 2-1, in the second inning and lost, 4-1. They have played 24 games since then. On Sept. 6, at home against the Nationals, the Cubs tied the score but never led.

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