With yesterday’s win, this is the first time the Cubs are two games over .500 since June 26, and the team has its first four game winning streak since June 6. That time, the Cubs made it up to five games, which, sadly, was their longest winning streak of the year.
Jon Lester had himself a game last night, throwing seven strong innings with six strikeouts, one walk, and just three hits. After the worst start of his career the last time out, it was good to see Lester come back with a typical, head down, strong outing. If any pitcher in baseball would be completely unaffected by a disastrous outing, it’s Jon Lester.
Lester was charged with a really tough earned run when a Javy Baez throwing error on a double play attempt allowed the runner going to first to get to second base. That runner subsequently scored on a two-out hit after stealing third base. But without the throwing error, that runner would have been on first base to begin the sequence, not second base. Is the official scorer to assume (1) the runner would have stolen second base, and (2) would thereafter have scored from second on the hit? The answers to those questions are apparently yes and yes.
Baez’s throwing error demonstrated his pure hatred of tablets, by the way:
He also did a crazy thing at the plate to avoid getting wrecked by a pitch:
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Hey, how about that game-saving block by Willson Contreras last night with the tying run on third base? Wade Davis really spiked one that had disaster written all over it, but Contreras got his body up and big enough to slow it down. I had been critical of Contreras’s blocking earlier this year, but it seems like there’s been improvement. Props.
Home plate ump CB Buckner was getting a lot of grief last night for his strike zone, which was certainly not good, but, upon review, it wasn’t one of those times where it was brutally inconsistent in a way that stands out. Instead, what stood out was just a handful of truly awful calls that you can see at Brooks. The Cubs missed out on a couple strikes that were extremely in the zone, got one that was extremely out of the zone, and Ian Happ got rung up on a pitch way out of the zone.
(By the way, that final pitch to Sean Rodriguez was solidly out of the strike zone, in case you were wondering. Didn’t matter, though, because he *OBVIOUSLY* offered at the pitch. I don’t really see how both the first base ump and home plate ump blew that one.)
John Lackey makes his first post-break start today, and we’ll see if the rest did him a solid like it seems to have done for everyone else. Joe Maddon is confident that Lackey will be better in the second half (ESPN), but a regression in his velocity, movement, and command make you a little uneasy that the 38-year-old will be able to bounce back this time.
Luke has been tracking long-time Cubs pitching prospect Dillon Maples for years (he was a big money draftee back in 2011), and we’ve all been thrilled to see how he’s broken out in a relief role this year, dominating at High-A and AA before, as Luke mentioned this morning, now being promoted to AAA. That was initially reported by Patrick Mooney, who has a full write up on Maples here, and you’re gonna want to check it out. I especially love hearing that Maples honed his slider this year in the relief role, and was encouraged by the Cubs to throw it more often, believe it was an 80(!) on the 20-80 scouting scale. The reason I love hearing that is when a breakout is paired with something tangible like that, it often becomes sustainable. Consider Maples on your radar for the big league bullpen later this year.
On the not-so-good side of things on the pitching prospect front, I didn’t realize how long Oscar De La Cruz had been out – since late May – with another elbow injury (Tribune). De La Cruz has the frame, the command, and the fastball you’d want from a frontline starter, but he’s not been able to stay consistently healthy.
This is such an enjoyable video on so many fronts:
The added markdowns at the official MLB Shop (a wonderful partner of BN’s, which supports this place when you make purchases via our links, cough cough) last through today, so check it out:
I have hit a serious lull in book-reading lately. For about a year and a half I was killing it with books, but I used up the authors I really like (a tip: ready everything from Andy Weir, Iain Reid, and Blake Crouch), I used up some good recommendation lists, and then I ran into a string of failed reads (I give books 50 pages to hook me). Currently reading...
We've been waiting the last couple days on Ryan Pressly's decision as to whether he'll accept a trade to the Chicago Cubs. I am 90%, "Hey, this is an enormous decision for Ryan Pressly and his family. Give them the time and space they need." And I'm 10%, "OMG JUST ACCEPT THE TRADE ALREADY." Figured you'd been waiting today, too, so a night-time update with what little we have felt...
Temperatures MIGHT climb above freezing today, which is going to feel like a beach party. Gonna go get some sun. Although there were a flurry of updates yesterday, I don't know how much has actually changed in the Cubs-Astros-Ryan-Pressly situation: a deal is reportedly in place that is acceptable to both the Cubs and Astros, and now it's just a matter of whether Pressly wants to accept the trade. He...
The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros reportedly have a deal in place for 36-year-old closer Ryan Pressly, just as Bob Nightengale sort of reported last night. And although there was some initial pushback on how "done" that deal was, we've officially arrived at the inflection point. Per Jon Heyman, the deal is reportedly agreed to by both the Cubs and Astros (UPDATE: Tigers also have a deal in place, see...
Off he goes. One of the more fun Chicago Cubs players in recent memory, done in by his elbow, Adbert Alzolay is off to join another organization. Per Will Sammon of The Athletic on X, Alzolay is signing a two-year minor league deal with the New York Mets. Because of his late-season Tommy John surgery, he'll be rehabbing for most of the year, and now the Mets will have the...
Listen, I still wouldn't get your hopes up for Alex Bregman. For however much the Cubs could benefit from (1) his bat in the middle of the lineup (2) from sliding Matt Shaw to a more comfortable defensive home at second base, and (3) from whatever return you could get from Nico Hoerner on the trade market to accommodate such a move, any deal for Bregman remains wholly unlikely in...
With his posting window expiring today, Japanese lefty Shinnosuke Ogasawara has found a deal, signing a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals. The financial particulars for the deal aren't out just yet, and even when they are, it'll be challenging to evaluate the "value" of the signing (he's a tough one to project in MLB). The Cubs were reportedly among the teams interested in Ogasawara at some point, though we...
MLB Network is doing its rankings of the various positions, and they dropped right field with a bit of a fun note: two of the top five right fielders in baseball are Chicago Cubs players. And the placements are both pretty surprising. You had Seiya Suzuki coming in all the way up at number five: And you had Kyle Tucker coming in at number two, and yes that's on a...
Yesterday's hopeful update on Nico Hoerner's recovery from after-season surgery had me wondering if there was an update on midde-infield-mate Dansby Swanson during the Convention (a lot of stuff comes and goes very quickly during that time, so we don't always see it at the moment it drops). Sure enough, there was a little update, and it's all good stuff on Swanson's recovery from surgery this past fall. For one...
Long-time MLB starter and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer wants to keep his career going into his age-40/41 season, looking to bounce back from a 2024 season that saw him make just nine starts for the Rangers due to recovery from back surgery, a shoulder issue, and a hamstring strain. He was generally effective as a mid-rotation type when he could take the mound, but obviously it was not...
Catching up with the latest rumors and reports regarding potential assistant coach hirings and targets for Ben Johnson's first coaching staff as the Chicago Bears' head coach. Dennis Allen expected to be the next Bears defensive coordinator Nothing is official until it is officially official. Now that I have written that caveat, I can write that all signs are pointing to the Bears hiring Dennis Allen as the team's next...
Day 21 of the Chicago Bears offseason. I had courtside sides for what I think might have been the starting point for a rivalry between *checks notes* the SIU Salukis and UIC Flames. It's always a pleasure to go down to what I will always call the UIC Pavillion to watch my alma mater play basketball. And as a bonus, I made sure to hit up Carm's before the game...
Perhaps former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus will find a soft landing with some old friends. Eberflus, who was fired on the Friday after the team's Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions, appears to be a popular candidate in this hiring cycle. Not as a head coach, mind you. But instead, as a possible defensive coordinator. And it sure sounds like he is the front-runner to get the gig...
Shortly after hiring away the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator to become their new head coach, the Chicago Bears are turning to a former Green Bay Packers standout to help coach up his defense. Al Harris, who played cornerback in the NFL from 1998-2011, is reportedly joining Ben Johnson and the Bears coaching staff. ESPN's Adam Schefter has the deets: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1882952478733619239 I realize that the Bears took a lot of guff...
As Ben Johnson continues to build out his first Chicago Bears coaching staff, one particular position group's coach stays on my mind — the offensive line. And on Friday night, a pair of reporters shared one name that is apparently coming up in consideration. Some buzz from Tribune Bears reporter Brad Biggs and NIU reporter Skyler Kisellus: https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/1882992682362192051 https://twitter.com/skylerkisellus/status/1882998390444974434 One key hire on Ben Johnson's Bears staff will be an...
Day 20 of the Chicago Bears offseason. While speaking with fans out in the wild last night, I noticed there was a different buzz surrounding the Ben Johnson hire — at least when compared with the Matt Nagy and Matt Eberflus hirings. One of the sentiments that was shared with me was a feeling that there was optimism to be had in a place where it seemed as if all...
New Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson continues to line up interview candidates for positions on his coaching staff. Earlier in the week, we discussed Chicago's football team's requests to interview Los Angeles Rams assistant Aubrey Pleasant and Minnesota Vikings coach Daronte Jones for the vacant defensive coordinator position. And on Friday night, there was a report that Chicagoland native Antwaan Randle El was set to follow Johnson from Detroit...
Nothing like some breaking Friday night Bears news! We got a nice little nugget of information this evening from ESPN's Adam Schefter that Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El is close to finalizing a deal with the Bears. Randle El would become the team's new wide receivers coach and assistant head coach. The assistant head coach tag will be a promotion from his role in Detroit as wide receivers...
The Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson to be their new head coach was just the first step in a larger journey. Because now that he is settling in, the time has come for him to build out a staff. Optimism is high. Not only because the Bears were able to hold off Tom Brady (and other possible suitors) and reel in Johnson, but also because one NFL insider reported that...
Maybe the Hank Fraley dream isn't dead. I thought this exchange featuring ESPN NFL and Chicago Bears reporter Courtney Cronin was interesting: https://twitter.com/benjohnsontime/status/1882808333666816026 https://twitter.com/CourtneyRCronin/status/1882853074034884723 Earlier in the week, it sounded like Hank Fraley won't be joining Ben Johnson in Chicago. But maybe things are changing to the point where there is still a sliver of hope it can happen. UPDATE (4:11 p.m. CT) — It's over: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1882913670826713370 Part of me is...
The Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers came into the night ranking 10th and 11th in the Eastern Conference, respectively. And you could tell. These two teams provided fans at the United Center with an uninspiring 48 minutes of basketball. The night started with a scoreless first two minutes, which Paul George finally broke with a 15-foot jumper. Fortunately for Chicago, they were able to find a slight rhythm after Nikola...
The Chicago Bulls have been 1-6 since January 12, with a net rating of -8.3 (25th). The Philadelphia 76ers have been 1-6 since January 12, with a net rating of -12.5 (27th). What a riveting game this will be! In all seriousness, tonight's meeting with the 76ers matters quite a lot. Philadelphia currently sits 2.0 games behind the Bulls and 11th in the Eastern Conference. While Chicago is on a...
The Nikola Vucevic smoke is starting to billow. As the February 6 trade deadline approaches, the big man's name continues to come up in conversations. We heard earlier this week that there is "optimism" within the Chicago Bulls' organization that they can find a deal for the starting center over the next couple of weeks. Likewise, reports continue to surface that say the Bulls have received numerous calls on both...
While a report surfaced on Friday morning that said Zach LaVine hopes to ride things out in Chicago, that is not going to stop the rumors. Arturas Karnisovas ultimately holds all the cards, and the Bulls have made clear in recent weeks that they are open for business. Could this change as the trade deadline approaches? It's always a possibility with this front office, which has sat out three consecutive...
The Chicago Bulls have presumably answered a lot of phone calls over the last couple of weeks, but it doesn't sound like any have come from the Klutch offices. Despite the seemingly endless trade rumors surrounding Zach LaVine, he reportedly has little interest in leaving Chicago. Check out our post from earlier today for more on that rumor. https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/01/24/zach-lavine-chicago-stay/ Do I think Zach LaVine wants to play winning basketball? Of...
Zach LaVine has been one of the most talked about players on the NBA trade market for well over a year. The Chicago Bulls front office was the first to get the ball rolling, as rumors emerged that they would be willing to move LaVine only months after signing him to a max contract. To little surprise, this led to plenty of internal and external drama, especially as the organization...
The Chicago Bulls' veterans looked well-rested after two off days in the sun. Lonzo Ball got the ball rolling (dribbling?) at the Chase Center on Thursday night, scoring or assisting on the Bulls' first 8 points. He splashed a three, connected with Patrick Williams for the alley-oop jam, and nailed another 27-footer. Nikola Vucevic picked up where he left off, scoring the team's next seven points with ease. The big...
Nikola Jokic is a magician. The three-time MVP is known to do something jaw-dropping on a nightly basis, and that moment came at the end of the third quarter on Thursday night. In a matchup against the Sacramento Kings, Nikola Jokic quickly asked for the inbound from Aaron Gordon with 1.7 seconds left in the frame. He immediately turned and sent the ball flying down the floor with one hand....
The Chicago Bulls head to The Bay! Game Info Chicago Bulls (19-25) at Golden State Warriors (21-22) – 9:00 p.m. CT on Chicago Sports Network (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Lineups Chicago Bulls Josh Giddey Ayo Dosunmu Zach LaVine Patrick Williams Nikola Vucevic Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry Buddy Hield Gary Payton II Andrew Wiggins Kevon Looney (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Odds Chicago comes into today’s game as a 1.0-point...
Remember last night before the game started when I wrote about how the tea leaves didn't line up with the story that the Blackhawks were in Denver for most of a week... to watch Aidan Thompson...? Late last night, Elliotte Friedman at Sportsnet knocked out a quick post about the blockbuster trade with a few thoughts. This portion obviously caught my attention: The Hurricanes also get Taylor Hall. Chicago legitimately...
So we need to go ahead and start Saturday where we... overwhelmed the actual game last night: the Taylor Hall trade. There have been so many comments on social media that really don't seem to understand what the Blackhawks did last night. The best I can do is break it down as simply as this. You're trading Taylor Hall for a third round pick. You aren't a cap ceiling team....
Want a little drama on a Friday night? The Blackhawks scratched Taylor Hall (healthy -- then traded!!) and Seth Jones (illness?) just as the team was coming out to warm up. The Blackhawks got completely overwhelmed for about 15 minutes but then started to chip away. And then Colton Dach scored his first career NHL goal. And then Frank Nazar scored his first goal of the season (NOT the first...
The first big bang of the Blackhawks' trade season arrived before the end of January. Taylor Hall was announced a healthy scratch just as the team was taking the ice to warm up on Friday night. Then the buzz started... and it looks like he's headed to Carolina. UPDATE: the Blackhawks are reportedly receiving their own 2025 third-round pick back from Carolina. https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1882987863450472576 Earlier on Friday, Carolina announced forward William...
I mentioned in my bullets this morning that Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson was at a couple Avalanche games this week. According to Frank Seravalli, Davidson and Norm Maciver took advantage of the days between Blackhawks games to stop by the University of Denver -- something the guys also mentioned on Friday's "32 Thoughts" Podcast episode as well. According to those reports, the Blackhawks are keeping tabs on forward prospect...
Who's ready for a Brandon Hagel Revenge Game on a Friday night at the United Center? In all seriousness, the Blackhawks come in having played well enough to win in their last three games, but have only one victory to show for it. Tampa's a good team, so this is another strong test. The Blackhawks made a couple roster moves on Thursday, placing Craig Smith on IR and recalling Ethan...
It's Friday and we're nearing the end of January, which means trade buzz is flying around the National Hockey League. As we've talked about previously, this is stacking up as a potential premium market for sellers because the playoff races in both conferences are a hot mess. Throw in the two-week break in February for the 4 Nations Face-Off and the action is percolating. Here are three trade candidate hot...
Fan voting for the 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award (college hockey’s Heisman Trophy) is now open, and there are four Blackhawks prospects who are nominees from their respective universities. Nominees were voted on by the coaches and fans at their respective universities. Here are the five Blackhawks prospects who are nominees this year: Aidan Thompson, Denver Sam Rinzel, Minnesota Ryan Greene, Boston University Sacha Boisvert, North Dakota UPDATE: Dominic James,...
Some significant NHL news dropped on Thursday from Michael Russo and Chris Johnston at The Athletic: the NHL is preparing for the retirement of Commissioner Gary Bettman -- although that won't happen for a couple years. According to the report, the NHL "has started the process of finding a successor for the longest-tenured commissioner in North American sports." From the story: Bettman, 72, said he has not decided when to...
The Blackhawks made a few roster moves on Thursday that were both exciting and interesting. First, let's talk about the signing of forward prospect AJ Spellacy to his three-year, entry-level contract. Spellacy got everyone's attention during the prospect camp and then NHL training camp and preseason games. He's a big boy who can absolutely fly and has no fear of throwing the body. He's played both center and the wing...
Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation, on Bluesky at @Brett-Taylor, 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.
I have hit a serious lull in book-reading lately. For about a year and a half I was killing it with books, but I used up the authors I really like (a tip: ready everything from Andy Weir, Iain Reid,...
We've been waiting the last couple days on Ryan Pressly's decision as to whether he'll accept a trade to the Chicago Cubs. I am 90%, "Hey, this is an enormous decision for Ryan Pressly and his family. Give them the...
Temperatures MIGHT climb above freezing today, which is going to feel like a beach party. Gonna go get some sun. Although there were a flurry of updates yesterday, I don't know how much has actually changed in the Cubs-Astros-Ryan-Pressly situation:...
The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros reportedly have a deal in place for 36-year-old closer Ryan Pressly, just as Bob Nightengale sort of reported last night. And although there was some initial pushback on how "done" that deal was, we've...
Off he goes. One of the more fun Chicago Cubs players in recent memory, done in by his elbow, Adbert Alzolay is off to join another organization. Per Will Sammon of The Athletic on X, Alzolay is signing a two-year...
Listen, I still wouldn't get your hopes up for Alex Bregman. For however much the Cubs could benefit from (1) his bat in the middle of the lineup (2) from sliding Matt Shaw to a more comfortable defensive home at...
With his posting window expiring today, Japanese lefty Shinnosuke Ogasawara has found a deal, signing a two-year contract with the Washington Nationals. The financial particulars for the deal aren't out just yet, and even when they are, it'll be challenging...
MLB Network is doing its rankings of the various positions, and they dropped right field with a bit of a fun note: two of the top five right fielders in baseball are Chicago Cubs players. And the placements are both...
Yesterday's hopeful update on Nico Hoerner's recovery from after-season surgery had me wondering if there was an update on midde-infield-mate Dansby Swanson during the Convention (a lot of stuff comes and goes very quickly during that time, so we don't...
Long-time MLB starter and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer wants to keep his career going into his age-40/41 season, looking to bounce back from a 2024 season that saw him make just nine starts for the Rangers due to...
The Vegas Golden Knights (30-15-4) have -125 moneyline odds to win when they host the Florida Panthers (29-18-3), who have +105 odds, on Sunday, January 26 at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN+.Tune in to watch the Golden Knights and Panthers...
The Winnipeg Jets (33-14-3) are heavy favorites when they host the Calgary Flames (24-16-7) on Sunday, January 26 at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The Jets are -245 on the moneyline to win, while the Flames have +200 moneyline odds.You...
BetMGM is offering an exciting $1,500 first bet bonus to enhance your NFL Playoffs betting experience. By simply signing up, making a deposit, and placing your first bet, you can unlock this generous bonus to give your wagers a boost....
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Conference Championship Sunday has arrived in the NFL! PrizePicks brings an exciting twist to daily fantasy sports by allowing you to wager on whether a player will exceed (Over) or fall short (Under) of a specific statistical benchmark. This engaging...
Catching up with the latest rumors and reports regarding potential assistant coach hirings and targets for Ben Johnson's first coaching staff as the Chicago Bears' head coach. Dennis Allen expected to be the next Bears defensive coordinator Nothing is official...
The FanDuel Promo Code wins you $300 in bonus bets for matchups including the AFC and NFC Championships. This exciting offer allows new users to experience the thrill of sports betting with a significant boost to their bankroll. Whether you're...
Happy Conference Championship Sunday! Underdog Fantasy is rolling out a fantastic promotion for new users — a $1,000 deposit match! Take full advantage of this generous offer and get started today by following these simple steps to claim your bonus....
No. 16-ranked Anna Kalinskaya will meet No. 83 Caroline Dolehide on January 27 at , highlighting a 15-match slate at the Singapore Open (round of 32). Go to ESPN for the live stream.Watch tennis, other live sports and more on...
The Winnipeg Jets have been made -238 on the moneyline versus the Calgary Flames (+195) on Sunday, with this game taking place at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Jets vs. Flames Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Jets (-238)Underdog: Flames...
NEWSLETTER
