Three-week rewind: Cubs playing relaxed, together

10:31 AM ET

CHICAGO — Of all the quirky statistics that illustrate the Chicago Cubs’ dominance over their opponents, maybe the best one comes from closer Hector Rondon: He’s had just three save opportunities on a 14-win team over the first three weeks of the season. If that doesn’t scream blowouts, I don’t know what does.

Sure they will have the occasional stumble, but the response has been impressive so far, see Saturday and Sunday in Cincinnati for evidence. In an early sign of their consistency, the Cubs are the only team in baseball without a two-game losing streak. And they have won all four series played away from Wrigley Field. That was a hot topic after Sunday’s 9-0 win, clinching yet another three out of four on the road.

“I think it’s because how close our group is,” Anthony Rizzo said. “Jake [Arrieta] throws a no-hitter and 20 guys are hanging out at the hotel.”

Ok, they’re close. We know that. They were tight last year, and their road record wasn’t this good. There is more going on.

“It goes to the fact we only pay attention to what’s going on inside the lines,” Jason Hammel said. “We’re just going out there and playing the game. Everyone is having fun obviously.”

Again, a little cliché-ish but there’s something to it as well. I have a better answer, which takes Rizzo’s and Hammel’s responses a step further: The Cubs are super talented and playing much more relaxed than the average team. That last notion might be the most important of them all. It’s one that will have Sabermetric experts shaking their heads.

I don’t believe it’s all scouting and development when role players such as Matt Szczur and Tommy La Stella …

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