This is part of an ongoing series looking back at the Cubs 2016 Championship season via the Topps Now set. Going forward, these posts will go up the day after what is listed on the card (a year from when the card went on sale) so I can compare the seasons through the games on the date depicted.
Today we have Part 6 in the series, showcasing Card 7. It is the first of several "Team Cards" for the Cubs. Fresh off his Cy Young season, Jake Arrieta was rolling into 2016 just as hot.
As the card states, the Cubs had won a MLB tying 23 consecutive game started by Arrieta, including his first 10 starts of 2016. Addison Russell got the Cubs on the board with an RBI single in the second. But in a combined 17-run game, the first run for the Cubs is something odd to showcase. Kris Bryant had what would be the game winning three run home run in the 6th so I'm not sure why Topps went with him sliding into home in the 6-run second inning.
I wrote a post last year after this card came out exclaiming "No Jinxies!" but it didn't work. The Cubs ended up losing Arrieta's next start on May 31st, though through no fault of his own. Arrieta threw 7 scoreless, 2-hit innings before the bullpen imploded for a no decision for Jake and a 5-0 loss for the team.
This card had a print run of 724. There are none recently sold on eBay with only a handful listed that are all above it's original sell price.
Through games on May 25, 2016, the Cubs were 31-14, outscoring their opponents by 119 runs total. They had the best record in baseball and were 5 games ahead of the Pirates.
This year, the Cubs were 25-21 with a +22 run differential, good for a half game lead over the 2nd place Brewers.
This was the 7th Topps Now card for the Cubs in 2016. In 2017, through the same date, they have doubled that with 14.
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