All signs pointing up for winning Cubs

All signs are pointing upward for the Cubs these days.

In fact, the first sign you see when you walk into the clubhouse is one instructing the players on when to arrive at the ballpark. For the last couple days, it has read: “Use your own discretion. Be ready to play.”

Boy, are the Cubs ever ready to play these days. They hit 5 homers Sunday, 2 by rookie Kris Bryant, to throttle the Atlanta Braves 9-3 at Wrigley Field and complete a four-game sweep.

The victory moved them 20 games over .500 at 71-51, putting them at least 20 over for the first time since the end of the 2008 season, when they finished 97-64 and won the National League Central.

Want more signs? The Cubs completed their fourth sweep of a four-game series in one season for the first time since 1945, when they won the National League pennant.

It doesn't stop there. After victories, the Cubs stage a celebration in the clubhouse, complete with smoke and music. On Sunday, they invited the grounds crew to join in the fun.

“We should do that every game,” said Bryant, who has 19 home runs. “Those guys work hard every day. They're a big part of our success. Maybe you guys can jump in there, too, sometime.”

Having the media take part in that kind of fun isn't going to happen any time soon, but this team has been a joy to cover, with Maddon setting the tone every day.

He termed the last few days “American Legion week,” encouraging players to come in later and get back to approaching the game the way they did when they were kids playing Legion ball. The players also get some rest to stay fresh that way. He also canceled batting practice on this homestand.

“The thing you really buy into: philosophy, whether it's American Legion week or what it's what we're doing on defense, the information coaches are giving to players,” Maddon said. “Everybody buys in, and that's when you really get on the same page. Baseball players can be a funny lot. If things aren't going so well, then maybe the buy-in isn't as solid, although our guys have been solid all year.

“Now, when you do that, then the total buy-in occurs.”

This far into the season, winning is breeding something else: belief. Cubs players are coming to the park each day believing that they will win, and Maddon says not to diminish that, either.

“That's the will we've been talking about, man,” he said. “If you believe anything about yourself, you have a much better chance of promoting that. We've talked about magic. You have to create your own magic. We've talked about this time of the year, that this is the part of the year that you really have to fight through. I'm talking about post all-star break into August because this is the time when you do get a little bit fatigued

“That's why we're doing the American Legion week. Here comes September, and I promise you our guys will be charged up every day. September provides its own energy. But you have to be in the hunt to in order to be recipients.”

Maddon also has demonstrated some tough love. He benched shortstop Starlin Castro and has not “lost” him. He also had to yank Sunday's starting pitcher and winner, Jason Hammel, from previous starts earlier than Hammel would have liked.

But the lines of communication have remained open, and Hammel said, “We've got something good going.”

“Talking to Joe, we're both professionals,” said Hammel, who worked 6⅓ innings Sunday and improved to 7-5 with a 3.35 ERA. “You check your ego at the door. Obviously, I'm not here just thinking about me getting my innings. I know I'm better than that.”

When Hammel was asked if players were buying in, he replied: “I think you can see that. We're having fun. Today we partied with the grounds crew. They came in and had a good time. I think they pumped it up more than we did after any win. Try to keep everybody included. This is a special, special thing going on right now. We're having a lot of fun with it. It's something that doesn't come along often.”

In addition to Hammel's pitching and Bryant's homers, the Cubs got home runs from Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Miguel Montero.

Maddon said he was not aware of this being the first time the Cubs had swept four series of four games since ‘45.

“That's a nice harbinger right there, an omen, whatever you want to call it,” he said. “What I like is that we didn't settle for a split. We didn't settle for three out of four. We came out and played it for four out of four. That's impressive. You've got to give our players and our coaches a lot of credit for that. It's really all about the players and showing up and being ready to play.”

Cubs scouting report

Cubs vs. Cleveland Indians at Wrigley Field

TV: WGN

Radio: WBBM 780-AM

Pitching matchup: The Cubs' Jon Lester (8-9) vs. Corey Kluber (8-13) at 1:05 today

At a glance: This is a makeup of the June 15 rainout. The Indians beat the Cubs 6-0 on June 16. The teams split a pair in Cleveland June 17-18, with the Cubs winning the first game 17-0. Both starting pitchers have an ERA of 3.58. Lester is 7-1 with a 3.23 ERA lifetime against the Indians in 14 starts. The Indians have played poorly at home, but they have a winning record (34-31) on the road. Jason Kipnis entered Sunday with a line of .322/.396/.468. Brandon Moss led the team with 15 homers.

Next: San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park, Tuesday-Thursday

— Bruce Miles