The Cubs’ stretch against the American League continues with a 5-game road trip that begins across town to take on the White Sox in the Wintrust Crosstown Series and then to Cleveland for a 3-game set against the Guardians.

They have been stellar against the AL this season — they’re 19-10 against teams from the Junior Circuit after taking 2 of 3 from Minnesota at Wrigley Field this week. The Cubs are amidst a 14-game stretch of playing only AL teams.

The Cubs head on the road playing some of their best baseball. They went 5-2 on the homestand against St. Louis and Minnesota and have won 3 of their last 4 series. They’ve done it on the backs of an offense that has begun to find its mojo. The Cubs scored 36 runs during the homestand and outscored the Cardinals and Twins by 14 runs.

Pitching probables

White Sox

Friday: RHP Jameson Taillon vs. LHP Garrett Crochet

Saturday: LHP Justin Steele vs. RHP Chris Flexen

The White Sox have had one of the worst seasons in history; they carry a 28-89 record and fired their manager Pedro Grifol and bench coach Charlie Montoyo on Thursday. But the Cubs will face one of the game’s best pitchers in the series opener.

Crochet has been one of the few bright spots on a White Sox team that recently snapped a 21-game losing streak (tying Baltimore’s 1988 record). The lefty has been electric in his first, full big-league season, posting a 3.19 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 162 strikeouts in 118.1 innings. He was the White Sox’s lone All-Star this season.

The Cubs will counter with two of their best starters in the series.

Taillon has a 3.25 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 19 starts and has been a steadying presence in the Cubs’ rotation. Steele has been the Cubs’ ace over the last two seasons and enters the weekend with a 3.33 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 108 innings.

Cleveland

Monday: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Ben Lively

Tuesday: LHP Shota Imanaga vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco

Wednesday: RHP Javier Assad vs. RHP Alex Cobb

The Guardians entered Wednesday tied with the Phillies and Yankees for the best record in baseball (67-46). They’ve done so on the back of an elite defense — they’re first in the majors in defensive runs saved (71).

Their bullpen has been elite, too.

Cleveland ranks first in the majors in relief pitcher ERA (2.69), well ahead of second-best Atlanta (2.98). The Guardians have 5 relievers who have already made at least 50 appearances and 4 of them have an ERA of 2.17 or below — the 5th, Scott Barlow has a 3.86 ERA.

That group is anchored by arguably the game’s best closer, Emmanuel Clase, who has a 0.69 ERA and has 33 saves in 36 chances.

Quote of the Week

“I mean, the amount of time she’s pretty much like made me cry over the last like two weeks watching her is like pretty ridiculous. Just so proud of her. The journey, obviously, that she’s been on. Ever since we got here together — I mean it’s like it’s pretty hard to put into words. God’s done so much for her and is using her in so many beautiful ways and just allowing her to kind of shine his light every time she plays and the people that she comes across and her joy and gratitude is just so, so inspirational. I’m so thankful to be a part of it and to do all that I can to help her from afar. Whatever it is, I’ll do. Man, I could go on for hours about it. It’s just so amazing watching obviously the person that you love the most do something that they love and chasing a dream and do it with like the beauty and grace that she does it with is pretty special.” — Dansby Swanson on watching his wife, Mallory, competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Mallory Swanson and the Women’s National Team will play Saturday against Brazil for the Gold Medal.

Storylines to keep an eye on

— Hendricks is in line to make his third career start in Cleveland. His first was unforgettable — Game 7 of the 2016 World Series. His second came in 2020 when he allowed 1 run on 7 hits in 6 innings of work in a 7-2 Cubs win.

— Pete Crow-Armstrong is beginning to find his offensive groove. Over his last 12 games, the rookie is slashing .317/.333/.488 with 6 RBI and 4 stolen bases. It’s thanks to a conversation that he had in Kansas City with Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly and teammate Cody Bellinger.

— Isaac Paredes admitted to putting too much pressure on himself after joining a new team — but some of that was eased after his first home run as a Cub in typical Wrigley Field conditions. His continued offensive success would be a boon to the Cubs’ lineup.