Catch a Ball, Sing a Song and Other Bullets

I have accomplished many things in my 30 years. I have enjoyed many great moments. But never before did I feel that my life truly had meaning. Until last night. We have been selected to be a Nielsen household. Take that, guidance counselor.

  • As discussed yesterday, the Cubs will have to make a couple roster moves today to open up spots for lefties Chris Rusin (who starts tonight) and Alex Hinshaw (whom the Cubs claimed on waivers this weekend). Carrie Muskat says we can expect to see reliever Jeff Beliveau demoted, as well as infielder Adrian Cardenas. The former makes sense because Hinshaw is essentially taking his spot. The latter makes sense because he isn’t getting any playing time and, since Rusin is presumably coming up for just one start right now, it would be silly to demote another pitcher. That said, when the Cubs do send Rusin back down, they’ll presumably bring back up a position player, and it can’t be Cardenas (for 10 days). Tony Campana, perhaps?
  • The Cubs fan (yes, Cubs fan – it was in Milwaukee, after all) who caught Josh Vitters’ first home run had an unusual trade request for the ball. You see, it’s tradition that, if you catch an historic or memorable home run ball, the player will give you a signed bat or jersey or tickets or something like that in exchange for the ball. This time, however, the fan asked not for stuff – he asked for the opportunity to sing the national anthem at Wrigley Field. That’s awesome. I hope he gets his shot (his name isn’t in the article, but he’s a pastor; so, if you see a pastor singing the national anthem at a game this or next year, it’s probably this guy).
  • Speaking of which, Vitters talks about his up-and-down night (he struck out twice in ugly fashion), and about using the last six weeks to show what he can do.
  • Speaking of using the last six weeks, among the many evaluations going on as the season winds down is taking place behind the plate. While the Cubs are likely to go into 2013 with an expectation that both Steve Clevenger and Welington Castillo will share the catching duties, they undoubtedly prefer that one of the two claim the nominal starting gig. If both fall off significantly, however, Dale Sveum concedes that the Cubs might have to look outside the organization for a catcher this offseason. I’m thinking Castillo, assuming he improves slightly on his game-calling and his receiving skills, will nail down the job.
  • Matt Garza hasn’t started throwing yet, and might not until after another x-ray and evaluation on September 1. The odds that he pitches in a game again this year are minuscule.
  • Dale Sveum says something Mike Quade never would have: “Valbuena got hot again and is really swinging the bat. But my priority is still going to be getting Vitters quite a few at-bats. He’s here for a reason.” Sveum understands what this point in the season is about, and it’s not about *only* trying to win games.
  • Tom Ricketts is doing his annual pilgrimage among the Cubs’ minor league affiliates, and last night visited with the Iowa Cubs. While there he spoke to the media, and met with fans throughout the stadium (including BN’er Hawkeye, who got the chance to chat up the Cubs’ owner for a solid 15 minutes).
  • Jim Callis talks about Javier Baez’s prospect status, and gives him a whole lot of love.
  • Meanwhile, on a beach in South Africa …

    Wait. What is that mysterious message written in the sand with the beautiful Indian Ocean in the background?

    We’re everywhere. (Thanks to an anonymous (and awesome) BN’er for the pictures.)

    written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

    What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

    CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

    So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

    Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

    Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

    With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

    Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

    Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

    Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

    Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

    Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

    Latest News

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) and Will Smith (four hits last time out) are favored (-199) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Washington Nationals (10-13) on Thursday at 4:05 PM ET on MLB Network.Los Angeles' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12) at 2:35 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Caleb Raleigh has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The San Diego Padres (14-13) are favorites (-150) on the moneyline when they take on the Colorado Rockies (6-19) Thursday at 3:10 PM ET, live on SDPA.Randy Vasquez will get the ball for San Diego while Colorado will counter with...

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    After winning three games in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) play on the road against the Washington Nationals (10-13) at 4:05 PM ET on Thursday.The probable starters are Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1) for the Dodgers and MacKenzie Gore (2-1)...

    Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Kansas City Royals (15-10) are favored on the moneyline (-121) in Thursday's contest versus the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12). Game time is at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays, with +168 odds, are favored against the spread...

    Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Houston Astros (7-18) visit the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Jose Altuve has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

    Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The Colorado Rockies (6-19) face off against the San Diego Padres (14-13) at home on Thursday beginning at 3:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Randy Vasquez (0-1) for the Padres and Dakota Hudson (0-4) for the Rockies.Padres vs. Rockies Pitcher...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) Thursday at 12:35 PM ET, airing on BSWI. The Brewers are listed as -128 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Pirates have +107 odds for the contest.Freddy...

    more cubs news