The Cubs ran the winning streak to nine games before the string ended at the hands of Chris Sale on Sunday afternoon. The Cubs won the series on the South Side and even with the loss, Joe Maddon’s team is 15-2 in the last 17 games.
Off the field, MLB Pipeline ranked the Cubs as the fourth best organization in baseball. And a lot of time was spent following the all of the reports and rumors about Chase Utley.
Here are the headlines from the last three days, and a couple of videos, with all of the news, notes and rumors.
Giants Reportedly One of the Teams to Make an Offer to the Phillies for Chase Utley
The Chase Utley rumors increased late Thursday, especially after GM Bobby Evans confirmed the Giants made an offer to the Phillies for Utley.
The Cubs remained in the mix and were believed to be one of the likely landing spots for the veteran second baseman.
Utley was expected to be dealt to a new team by Friday, and as it turned out, the Angels thought they were close to acquiring him. But the deal did not happen.
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/14/15
Home runs down on the farm highlighted the end of the week for the prospects. Jonathan Martinez, Tommy Thorpe and Dallas Beeler were very good on the mound … while Pierce Johnson had a solid outing, just not up to the standards he has set this year.
The Daily CCO: Cubs News and Notes Before Three on the South Side
While waiting for the Phillies to trade Chase Utley, it was time to shift to the pending series on the South Side. The Cubs completed the sweep of the Brewers and were playing good ball. But it was the forced series with the White Sox that has not worked out well for the Cubs, especially at The Cell, since Interleague play started.
Jon Lester was a big topic of conversation after his throwing issues made headlines again. Tommy La Stella was activated and played for Iowa.
Dexter Fowler stayed hot at the plate and posted a few numbers to back up what the eyes have been seeing.
Report includes all of the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History.
Coghlan and Rizzo Out Slug the Sox, Cubs Win Eighth in a Row – Cubs 6, White Sox 5
The weekend on the South Side started with the Cubs eighth win in a row. The Cubs outhit a really poor outing from Kyle Hendricks. Clayton Richard beat Jeff Samardzija thanks to three home runs and an excellent job by the bullpen.
Chris Coghlan went deep not once, but twice off Samardzija and drove in four runs. Anthony Rizzo’s solo shot was the difference in the game.
Pedro Strop upset the purists with his celebration after he was taunted by Alexei Ramirez.
The bottom line, the Cubs took care of business to start the series with the Sox.
Cubs Upcoming Homestand Features Throwback Jerseys and New DraftKings Fantasy Sports Zone
Cubs return to Wrigley Field on Tuesday for the start of a seven-game homestand. The Tigers are in for two (Aug. 18-19), followed by the Braves (Aug. 20-23) and the homestand wraps on Monday with a makeup game against the Indians (Aug. 24).
The Cubs and Tigers will wear throwback jerseys on Aug. 19 to commemorate the 1945 World Series and the end of World War II. And ‘90s Day returns to the bleachers on Friday, Aug. 21.
MLB Pipeline Ranks Cubs System Fourth Best In Baseball
MLB Pipeline updated its organizational rankings with the in-season call-ups and prospects that changed hands at the trade deadline.
Kyle Schwarber is still considered the top prospect in the organization, but the Cubs have talent throughout the organization. Would not be surprising to see 18-year old SS Gleyber Torres ranked as the Cubs best minor leaguer in the off-season.
The Daily CCO: Cubs Keeping Pace in NL Wild Card Race, Jackson Signs with the Braves and Other News
The Cubs winning ways helped keep the Giants looking up in the NL Wild Card race, but with the Pirates and Cardinals refusing to lose, Joe Maddon’s team had not picked up any ground in the division.
Edwin Jackson signed a Major League contract with the Braves. Jackson was added to Atlanta’s bullpen and will be at Wrigley this week.
Javier Baez started at second base as he tries to get back on track for a September call-up. Zac Rosscup was activated and optioned to Iowa.
Report includes updates on Arismendy Alcantara, Pedro Strop, Joe Ortiz, Ian Happ and Rafael Soriano … plus all of the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History.
Chase Utley Update: Down to Cubs, Angels and Giants?
Chase Utley wants guaranteed playing time from the team he waives his no-trade rights for and approves a deal. Most see the Cubs, Angels and Giants as the only three teams that can assure him he will not spend the next six-plus weeks in a back-up role.
Utley appears to be leaning toward a West Coast team … but the Cubs remained in the mix as of Saturday.
Two-Out Hits Lift the Cubs Over the Sox – Cubs 6, White Sox 3
The Cubs won a rather ugly game behind Jake Arrieta, who did not have his best stuff, on Saturday night. The Cubs took advantage of a really bad White Sox team and posted their ninth straight win.
Four different Cubs drove in runs with two-out hits. And Addison Russell, the Cubs’ 21-year old rookie shortstop, doubled twice with two outs and scored the first two runs … and for those teams that did not get the message, don’t underestimate ‘Fast Hulk’ or walk anyone intentionally to face Kyle Schwarber.
The Daily CCO: Nine Times, Painting By Numbers and Other Cubs News and Notes
Some days are oil paintings for the young Cubs, some are not and some games that are won have the same artistic ability as paint by numbers. And that is how Joe Maddon described Saturday’s win over the Sox.
Kris Bryant is doing pretty darn good at the plate and no one is noticing … and Addison Russell, too.
Kyle Hendricks and Chris Bosio found a mechanical issue in his delivery, which could really bode well for the Cubs.
Report includes updates on Dan Vogelbach, Ryan Williams, Jake Stinnett and Daniel Bard … plus the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History, there is a new Cubs book on the market.
Cubs Strikeout in Finale, Settle for Two of Three on the South Side – White Sox 3, Cubs 1
Chris Sale was lights out in the most important, and biggest game, of the season for the White Sox. The Southsiders retained the Crosstown Cup, after one of the few aces in baseball tied a career-high with 15 strikeouts.
Jorge Soler homered with two outs in the ninth. And if just one less ball left the park off Dan Haren, the ninth inning would have been a lot more interesting.