Casey Stengel said there are three things you can do at a baseball game. You can win, or you can lose, or it can rain. The Cubs had all three happen over the weekend at Wrigley Field.
In between the rain, the Cubs ended up with a 3-1 homestand. Two games were postponed, one each with the Brewers and Braves. After sweeping the two-game series with Milwaukee, the Cubs split the two games they were able to play against the Braves.
The Cubs have a new catching duo, at least for another nine days. With Miguel Montero on the DL, Tim Federowicz was called up to help David Ross.
Kris Bryant returned to the field Sunday after missing Friday’s game due to a sprained right ankle. And Theo Epstein talked about his team’s hot start while calling ESPN’s comments about Jake Arrieta “completely reckless.”
Down on the farm, Albert Almora Jr. stayed hot at the plate and Duane Underwood Jr. returned to the mound.
Here are the headlines from the last three-plus games filled with all of the news, notes, videos and recaps …
Cubs Organizational Rankings
For every publication there seems to be a different opinion on the Cubs’ farm system. One thing Baseball America, Keith Law, Baseball Prospectus and Minor League Ball all agree with is that the Cubs have a deep system filled with talent at each level.
This report focuses on the pre-season rankings from four of the most-respected prospect publications in the game.
Free Passes Lead to W for Cubs – Cubs 7, Brewers 2
Thursday’s finale with the Brewers took nearly four hours to complete but by the end of the day, the Cubs completed the two-game sweep.
Jake Arrieta was good after a rough first inning and completed five on a day he did not have his best stuff … and what was a rather difficult day to pitch at Wrigley.
The Cubs walked 11 times with 13 total free passes. And the Cubs’ staff issued a season-high seven walks.
The Cubs took care of business against the Brewers as the focus switched from the game to Kris Bryant’s right ankle.
David Ross smacked a home run onto Waveland and Anthony Rizzo stayed hot at the plate.
Recap includes video
Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 04/29/16
Tom wrapped up the action at the end of the week down on the farm. Ryan Kalish, Albert Almora Jr., Ian Happ and Jacob Hannemann went deep and Ryan Williams pitched well for Iowa.
For those that missed how the affiliates played Thursday and Friday, this update is for you.
The Daily CCO: Theo Epstein Calls ESPN’s Accusations about Jake Arrieta Completely Reckless
In this jam-packed Daily report, Theo Epstein reacts to ESPN’s accusations about Jake Arrieta and calls the statements completely reckless. Epstein explained his stance to David Kaplan on ESPN 1000.
Jake Arrieta had a good start on Thursday and picked up the win. Several of his outstanding streaks came to an end against the Brewers.
Updates on Miguel Montero, Willson Contreras, Tim Federowicz, Kris Bryant and pitching matchups, along with all of the news, notes, links and This Day in Cubs History includes in the report.
Albert Almora Jr. Cracks Third Home Run, Stays On Track at the Plate
If you haven’t noticed the second best defensive outfielder in the organization is producing at the plate. Albert Almora Jr. is off to an excellent start offensively for Triple-A Iowa.
For all of the good numbers and a video, open the report.
Hail, Rizzo! Hail, Szczur! 0 Cubs 6, Braves 1
The Cubs tied the game in the fifth on a David Ross single and took the lead for good with a five-run eighth inning. Anthony Rizzo drove in the game winner. Matt Szczur hit a Grand Slam.
Jon Lester had a very good outing, once again, despite two mistakes … one cost him a run, the other made the seventh inning very interesting.
Recap includes video highlights.
Sixth Annual Bricks and Ivy Ball Raises Record $1.65 Million for Cubs Charities
One of the missions of the Ricketts family when they bought the team was to be leaders in the community. And the Cubs family continues to give back to Chicago with their charitable efforts.
Cubs Prospect RHP Duane Underwood Jr. Makes Double-A Debut
One of the top pitching prospects in the system made his first start of the season in affiliated ball on Friday night. Duane Underwood Jr. lit up the radar gun early and put together a solid outing, especially for the first start of the season and at the Double-A level.
Report includes inning-by-inning breakdown of his outing.
Cubs, Jake Arrieta Reportedly Remain Far Apart in Contract Talks
The Cubs have arguably the best starting pitcher in the game on their staff. And if Jake Arrieta is not No. 1 in baseball right now, he’s a close second to Clayton Kershaw.
Arrieta and the Cubs have talked about a long-term extension off and on since the off-season and remain far apart in terms of years according to the information Scott Boras gave Jon Heyman.
For the latest on the Arrieta and Cubs talks, click on the report.
The Daily CCO: David Ross Just Keeps Going and Going and Other Cubs News
David Ross is not playing like a 39-year old back-up backstop that will hang ‘em up when the Cubs are done at the end of the year, whenever that may be. Ross is producing as well with the bat as he is defensively this season. And it’s really fun to watch.
Daily report includes stuff on Jon Lester, and a mandatory update on Kris Bryant. Albert Almora Jr. had to leave Friday’s game with a stomach virus.
Report also includes all of the news, notes and links as well as the popular This Day in Cubs History feature.
Theo Epstein Talks Cubs on ESPN 1000
Theo Epstein jumped on ESPN 1000 and talked about his team with David Kaplan prior to the finale of the Brewers series.
Epstein did not hold back after he was asked about the comments made by ESPN regarding Jake Arrieta. Epstein discussed the Cubs play out of the gate, Kyle Schwarber and the importance of depth on a big league roster.
The Daily CCO: What a Month for Anthony Rizzo and Other Cubs News and Notes
Anthony Rizzo had a really good first month of the season. Getting on base at more than a 38 percent rate, driving in runs, hitting homers and delivering with runners on in front of him. Too many are focused on a batting average and not what he’s producing.
Shane Victorino could be getting close to a trip to Des Moines.
Daily report includes rotation update, details on the Cubs first themed trip and all of the news, notes and links … and of course, This Day in Cubstory.
Cubs Lack-ey Offense, Lose in Extras – Braves 4, Cubs 3
The finale of the two-game series with the Braves did not go the Cubs way on Sunday afternoon. After being held in check for seven innings by Julio Teheran, the Cubs scored two in the eighth and tied it at three in the ninth on an Addison Russell single.
But the Cubs let the Braves hang around all day and Hector Rondon was touched up for a run in the 10th inning.
The Cubs finished the rain-shortened six-game homestand with a 3-1 record in the four games played against the Brewers and Braves.