When Your Catcher Doubles as a Gold Glove Infielder

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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It Took Two At-Bats for Cody Bellinger’s First Home Run Since Being Activated

Cody Bellinger's first plate appearance of this game (and first PA since returning from two fractured ribs) may have ended in a fly out to right field, but that was after an impressive 12-pitch at-bat. That, alone, was a welcomed...

May 07, 2024

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Padres 2 – May 7, 2024

Well ... THANK FREAKIN' GOD, EH? In case you weren't watching tonight, this was one of those games that FELT like the Cubs were up by five runs, even though it was 1-0 through the seventh inning. And that's because...

May 07, 2024

MICHAEL BUSCH SAVES THE NIGHT! WALK-OFF HOME RUUUUUUUUUUUN!

Oh my god, thank you, Michael Busch. After Shota Imanaga's stellar start was looking spoiled by a weak offensive showing, the Cubs were able to tie things up in the 8th inning and shut down the Padres in the top...

May 07, 2024

OUCH…Willson Contreras Was Just Hit with a J.D. Martinez Swing (UPDATE: Fractured)

Oouuuuuch. Anyone who's watched Willson Contreras play - or has read the stories - knows that the former Cubs catcher is one of the toughest players in MLB. He always played through injuries and would hobble up to his post...

May 07, 2024

Pre-Gamin’: Padres at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — With Dylan Cease scheduled to pitch for the Padres in the finale tomorrow, the Cubs are really going to want to take this game tonight. Fortunately, they have Shota Imanaga on the mound ... and CODY BELLINGER...

May 07, 2024

Marcus Semien is a Triple Shy of the Cycle … in the 2nd Inning!

Well, have yourself a day, Marcus Semien. The Rangers infielder is 3-3 with a home run, double, single, four RBI, and a run scored today against the Oakland Athletics, and they're only in the second inning! Semien led the game...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 07, 2024

Thinking About the Cubs Lineup AFTER Cody Bellinger and Seiya Suzuki Return

UPDATE: Cody Bellinger is officially back with the Chicago Cubs, having been called up after publication of this article. Original post follows. *** According to Taylor McGregor on last night's broadcast, we are maybe a day away from Cody Bellinger...

May 07, 2024

CODY BELLINGER IS BACK (Plus Several Other Cubs Roster Moves and Injury Updates)

No point in burying the lede! The Chicago Cubs center fielder, Cody Bellinger, is officially back with the team just TWO WEEKS after fracturing multiple ribs on a collision with the center field wall. I'd say that's as "best case...

May 07, 2024

Keegan Thompson is at Wrigley Field, So Apparently a Move is Coming

Sam Bernero has an eagle-eye and a steady camera, so when there are players newly in town around Wrigley Field, she is frequently the first person to have it. So it is today, with the return of Keegan Thompson to...

Brett Taylor

May 07, 2024

MLBits: Surprising AL Central, Wheeler Rolls, Shōta’s Fastball, Buehler’s Back, More

One of baseball's biggest surprises through six weeks? The AL Central has been pretty good this season. Plus, Walker Buehler returns to a major league mound after 22 months, Shōta Imanaga's four-seamer draws national attention, and more in today's MLB...

Patrick K. Flowers

May 07, 2024

Rangers vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Texas Rangers (21-16) will look to Marcus Semien, red hot after a four-hit game, to lead them in a matchup with the Oakland Athletics (17-20) on Wednesday at 3:37 PM ET on NBCS-CA. The Rangers are -127 favorites for...

May 08, 2024

How to Watch

The Myrtle Beach Classic Betting Odds, Streaming Live, TV Channel – Round 1

Erik van Rooyen is the favorite (+2500) at the 2024 Myrtle Beach Classic ($4M purse), from May 9-12 at The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, SC.Taylor Pendrith shot -23 at the AT&T Byron Nelson to notch a...

May 08, 2024

Dodgers vs. Marlins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers (25-13) roll into Wednesday's matchup with the Miami Marlins (10-28) looking to extend a six-game winning streak. The contest starts at 3:10 PM ET on SportsNet LA with the Dodgers listed as -283 favorites on the...

May 08, 2024

Rangers vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – May 8

The Oakland Athletics (17-20), who lost their previous three games, face the Texas Rangers (21-16) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Wednesday. First pitch is at 3:37 PM ET.The probable starters are Michael Lorenzen (2-1) for the Rangers and JP Sears...

May 08, 2024

Padres vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The San Diego Padres (19-20), led by Jake Cronenworth on an 11-game hitting streak, will meet the Chicago Cubs (22-15) Wednesday at Wrigley Field. The Padres are -126 favorites for the matchup, which starts at 2:20 PM ET on SDPA.Dylan...

May 08, 2024

Royals vs. Brewers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Kansas City Royals (21-16) and the Milwaukee Brewers (21-14) meet in the rubber match of a three-game series on Wednesday at 2:10 PM ET. The Royals are -133 favorites on the moneyline to win the series over the Brewers...

May 08, 2024

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, May 8, 2024

The MLB's 16-game schedule today should provide some fireworks. The matchups include the Boston Red Sox squaring off against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.Keep reading and you'll discover MLB player prop bets for each and every contest on Wednesday's...

May 08, 2024

Dodgers vs. Marlins Probable Starting Pitchers – May 8

The Los Angeles Dodgers (25-13) look to add to a six-game winning streak as they host the Miami Marlins (10-28) at 3:10 PM ET on Wednesday.The probable starters are Gavin Stone (2-1) for the Dodgers and Ryan Weathers (2-3) for...

May 08, 2024

Pirates vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Following a big two-homer game last time out, Kevin Pillar leads the Los Angeles Angels (13-23) into action as +111 underdogs against the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-20). First pitch from PNC Park at 12:35 PM ET on Wednesday, live on SportsNet...

May 08, 2024

Phillies vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Led by Bryce Harper (three-game homer streak), the Philadelphia Phillies (26-11) are favorites versus the Toronto Blue Jays (16-20) Wednesday at 1:05 PM ET. Sportsbooks have named the Phillies as -161 favorites for the game, which airs on NBCS-PH.Philadelphia's Aaron...