Wednesday notes: • LET’S KEEP THIS ONE THE WAY IT IS: The Cubs, losers of five consecutive games, have not lost at least six in a row since they dropped nine straight July 7-16, 2022. The last three of those were to the Mets at Wrigley Field, the first by 8-0, then by 2-1 in 11 innings and 4-3 in 10 innings in a doubleheader. The Cubs have played 552 games since the last of those nine losses in 2022. They have won 294 and lost 258, a winning percentage of .533. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53) • MAGIC NUMBER: The Cubs’ magic number to clinch the top wild-card spot over the Padres remained at 4 following the Cubs’ loss and the Padres’ win Tuesday. At the time this preview posted, the Padres are losing to the Brewers in the sixth inning. If that holds up the number would drop to 3. In any case,

See Full Page