It’s all about the post-season and the Cubs series with the Cardinals resumes Monday afternoon (5:07pm CDT) at Wrigley Field. The NLDS is tied at one with Jake Arrieta on the hill against Michael Wacha in Game 3.
The trip to St. Louis over the weekend went well for the Cubs. Joe Maddon’s team used small ball and the longball, plus good defense to win Saturday’s game and even the series at one-one.
Baseball America continued ranking the prospects. Nominations for the 2015 MiLBYs were released and the Cubs may have signed an impact talent to add to the deep farm system.
Here are the headlines, and a few videos, from the last three days.
Cubs Reportedly Have Agreement in Place with OF Eddy Julio Martinez
News hit the wire late Thursday that the Cubs stepped up and paid the additional $500,000 that Cuban outfielder Eddy Julio Martinez was looking for and had an agreement in place with one of this year’s top International prospects for $3 million.
The Cubs are one of at least a dozen teams that have scouted and worked him out for months. And according to multiple reports, the Cubs added Martinez to their system.
Contreras, Almora Two of Three Cubs in Baseball America’s Southern League Top Prospects List
Baseball America ranked the prospects from each minor league as the publication does at the end of every season. The Cubs had 15 different players make the prospect lists of five leagues over five levels of the farm system.
Willson Contreras and Albert Almora made the top 20 Southern League prospects list.
The Daily CCO: It’s Time for the NLDS and Other Cubs News and Notes
Friday’s daily focused on the start of the division series in St. Louis and included the schedule and pitching matchups for the series.
The Wild Card Game TV ratings set records. Jason Motte could be an option for the bullpen if the Cubs advance.
Report includes all of the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History
Cubs Set National League Division Series
Joe Maddon set his roster for the NLDS … 11 pitchers and 14 players on the active 25-man roster.
Cubs Shutout in St. Louis, Drop Game One of NLDS – Cardinals 4, Cubs 0
Game 1 of the National League Division Series did not go the Cubs way. Jon Lester made one mistake and allowed three runs. Pedro Strop served up another longball to the Cardinals and the offense just couldn’t get on track against John Lackey.
There was a lot of focus during, after and on Saturday about the home plate ump’s strike zone.
The Cubs pointed out after the Game 1 loss it was just one game while tipping their caps to John Lackey.
The Daily CCO: A Series is More Than One Game and Other Cubs News
The morning after losing to the Cardinals is never fun. And dropping the first game of the series to St. Louis was even worse. The Cubs nine-game winning streak came to an end.
Pedro Strop’s role in the pen for the remainder of the NLDS was questioned.
The qualifying offer was released. Jeff Samardzija could have a reunion with one of his old pitching coaches.
Report includes all of the links from Game 1, news and notes … plus This Day in Cubs History.
Report: Giants Still Talking to Eddy Julio Martinez’s Representatives
A day after multiple reports indicated the Cubs had an agreement in place with OF Eddy Julio Martinez for $3 million, Giants GM Bobby Evans said he is still talking to Martinez’s reps.
The strange week that was for Eddy Julio Martinez got a little stranger.
Small Ball and Soler Power Evens the Series – Cubs 6, Cardinals 3
The Cubs beat the Cardinals at Busch Stadium and evened the series. The Cubs first two runs scored on squeeze bunts. Four of the six runs scored without a ball leaving the infield. But the ball that left the infield was rather impressive. Jorge Soler smacked a two-run homer.
Addison Russell turned in another web gem. Kyle Hendricks was solid and the bullpen was very, very good.
Cubs Farm System Nominated for a 2015 MiLBY
Nominations for the 2015 MiLBYs are out and the Cubs are up for the best farm system. Ryan Williams received a nomination … so did Javier Baez, Short-Season Eugene and the Carolina League Champs.
The Daily CCO: NLDS Tied at One, Dexter Fowler and Other Cubs News
The Cubs did what they had to and split the two games in St. Louis. The Cubs played a good game Saturday and took advantage of the Cardinals mistakes.
Dexter Fowler has been a big piece of the puzzle in the second half. Fowler is a free agent and the Cubs would like to have him back. He’s liable to turn down the qualifying offer and test the market.
Jorge Soler has looked very good in the NLDS, plus the Cubs and Cardinals have not decided their starting pitchers for Game 4.
Ratings for the NLDS are extremely high.
Report includes all of the news, notes, links and more links, plus This Day in Cubs History.
Cubs Headline Baseball America’s All-Rookie Team
In the Year of the Rookie, the Cubs might just have the best group of the entire class. Baseball America posted its First and Second All-Rookie Teams.
From the Wire: Cubs Add C Taylor Teagarden to 40-Man Roster, DFA LHP Tsuyoshi Wada
The Cubs made two roster moves Sunday. Lefty Tsuyoshi Wada was designated for assignment to make room for veteran catcher Taylor Teagarden.
The NLDS roster did not change. Teagarden gives the Cubs insurance behind the plate in case of injury to either Miguel Montero or David Ross.