The Cubs had a very good weekend on the field. Joe Maddon’s team completed its fourth, four-game sweep of the season, and both gained ground in the division and created a little breathing room in the NL Wild Card race.
The Cubs played to the conditions at Wrigley and smacked 12 home runs in the four-game series with the Braves. Miguel Montero had a huge weekend. Kris Bryant delivered run scoring hit after run scoring hit and went yard twice Sunday. And both Dexter Fowler and Addison Russell were in the middle of the scoring seemingly throughout the weekend.
Joe Maddon received contributions from his entire roster as the Cubs completed the first four-game sweep over the Braves at Wrigley Field since 1968.
The Cubs will enter play Monday six games ahead of the Giants for the second Wild Card spot and three behind the Pirates for second place in the NL Central. With the Cardinals struggles in San Diego, the Cubs moved to within 6 ½ games of St. Louis in the division with 40 games remaining on the schedule.
The Cubs own the fourth best record in baseball at 71-51, 20 games over .500.
Here are the headlines from the weekend with news and updates from the majors, minors and several videos …
Jake Being Jake – Cubs 7, Braves 1
Jake Arrieta snapped the Cubs’ skid with his 12th straight quality start. Arrieta became the first Cubs’ starter since Greg Maddux in 1992 to accomplish the feat.
Offensively, Chris Coghlan drove in a pair of runs. Anthony Rizzo went deep with a mammoth three-run shot off Mike Foltynewicz. Miguel Montero delivered a two-out, run scoring double and Addison Russell went yard for the eighth time in his big league career.
The opener was all about getting a win … and Jake Arrieta did not disappoint.
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 08/21/15
Recent draftees Ian Happ and Donnie Dewees are heating up as the minor league season comes to an end. Chesny Young just keeps hitting. While for the I-Cubs, Javier Baez is streaking again and John Andreoli is off and running.
On the mound … Trevor Clifton and Jonathan Martinez turned in good outings. And Duane Underwood made his first rehab appearance for the AZL Cubs.
The Daily CCO: The Cubs are a Special Place for Jason McLeod and Other News
Jason McLeod figures to be linked to several teams this off-season to fill their GM opening. McLeod believes in The Plan that he helped set in motion nearly four years ago. McLeod does not sound like he wants to leave or will be pursuing a job with another organization.
Jason McLeod is a big reason the Cubs are winning again in the big leagues. McLeod said he wants to see what the front office is working on through and explained to the beat writers how special of a place the Cubs is to him.
Jake Arrieta created quite the buzz with the beat writers and with the national media after his performance Thursday night.
Carl Edwards Jr. is expected to be called up. Dan Vogelbach rejoined Double-A Tennessee.
Report includes all of the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History.
Cubs Announce Legacy Partnership with Toyota, Includes Logo on Wrigley Field Marquee
The Cubs and Toyota announced a new, expanded partnership Friday. And part of the deal with Toyota includes logo branding on the bottom panel of the Wrigley Field marquee.
Cubs Turn Extra Outs Into a Comeback Win – Cubs 5, Braves 3
Kyle Hendricks showed improvement and received a no decision after his teammates turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead after six innings. Kris Bryant and Miguel Montero hit back-to-back doubles in the sixth and the Cubs added a run in the seventh with help from the Braves defense.
The Cubs took advantage of the two errors the Braves made and the two runs were the difference in the game … along with four shutout innings from the bullpen in relief of Kyle Hendricks.
Cubs Reportedly Place Starlin Castro on Revocable Trade Waivers
Jon Heyman reported Friday the Cubs had placed Starlin Castro on revocable trade waivers. Heyman’s report has not been confirmed. Castro is likely to clear when he is placed on waivers. If he is claimed, the Cubs should pull him back.
The Daily CCO: Theo Epstein is Committed to the Cubs, Reportedly Getting Closer on a New Deal
Theo Epstein and Tom Ricketts started discussing a contract extension for Epstein at least a year ago. Epstein’s contract runs through the 2016 season. Epstein has maintained he is happy with the Cubs and has no desire to leave the organization. Epstein should soon be the highest paid executive in the game.
Kyle Hendricks discussed his outing with the beat writers. And Sammy Sosa was named to the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame.
Report includes updates on Mike Olt, Dan Vogelbach, Jake Arrieta, news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History.
Albert Almora Jr. is Having a Good Second Half and Updates from Down on the Cubs Farm
After struggling offensively in the first half of the season, Albert Almora Jr. has gotten extremely hot at the plate over his last 20 games. Almora Jr. is performing since the break the way the front office thought he would.
Mark Zagunis returned from the DL rather quickly and is poised for a strong finish to his first full season in pro ball.
Ian Happ has done really well since the Cubs took him in the first round of June’s draft.
Four Home Runs Lift the Cubs to Third Straight Win – Cubs 9, Braves 7
Miguel Montero and Jorge Soler hit back-to-back jacks in the eighth inning that ended up being the difference in the game. The Cubs were down 7-3 in the fifth after Dan Haren and Travis Wood struggled. The Cubs offense did not let up. Kris Bryant and Miguel Montero hit back-to-back two out doubles in the fifth that cut the Braves lead to one run.
Addison Russell tied the game with his ninth longball of the season.
The Cubs went yard four times. And the solo shot Anthony Rizzo hit was forgotten about by the time Montero and Soler went yard in the eighth. Rizzo just continues to produce and drove in two of the first three runs.
John Mallee Talks Hitting and the Cubs on Inside the Clubhouse
Cubs’ hitting coach John Mallee spent time Saturday morning talking hitting on 670 The Score. Mallee and Eric Hinske coach several of the top young position players in the game. And Mallee discussed the challenges young players deal with in the majors.
Jorge Soler, Kris Bryant, Chris Coghlan and Starlin Castro are the four players Mallee goes in depth about during the segment.
The Daily CCO: Javier Baez Extended Hitting Streak to Eight Games and Other Cubs News
Javier Baez extended his hitting streak to a season-long eight games on Saturday night. Baez is streaking toward a September call-up. And Baez is expected to be one of the players recalled when the roster expands in nine days.
In case you haven’t noticed Anthony Rizzo has been pretty good this season. Joe Maddon is sticking with Dan Haren. And the report includes all of the news, notes and links, plus This Day in Cubs History.
Cubs Hammel and Sweep the Braves – Cubs 9, Braves 3
Jason Hammel put together his best outing since July 3. And the early run support allowed him to relax and just pitch. Hammel is key for the Cubs success down the stretch and for one day he quieted concerns.
The Cubs hit five more home runs. The first four went to the opposite field.
Kris Bryant smacked two home runs, a two-run mammoth blast to right in the first and a towering solo shot in the sixth. Miguel Montero went yard with a three-run homer. Kyle Schwarber lined one out to left. But the homer party started with Dexter Fowler in the first inning as he stayed hot at the plate.