Monday’s game with the Padres was rained out and will be made up as part of a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday. Jon Lester will still get the ball in the opener of the three-game series with the Friars that now begins Tuesday night.
Anthony Rizzo’s numbers earlier in the season did not paint an actual picture of how well he was performing at the plate. Anthony Rizzo hit into a lot of bad luck and those that only read box scores thought he was struggling offensively. Rizzo has put together the longest current on-base streak in the National League and his numbers now reflect those of a MVP candidate.
Rizzo has reached base safely in each of his last 21 games, the second longest active streak in baseball to Baltimore’s Mark Trumbo (22).
According to Monday’s Game Notes, Rizzo is batting .355 (22-for-62) with eight doubles, seven home runs and 12 walks, with eight strikeouts, for a 1.296 OPS over his last 16 games dating back to April 20.
For the season, Anthony Rizzo is hitting .270/.413/.631 with eight doubles, one triple and 10 home runs for a 1.044 OPS. In 138 plate appearances (30 games), Rizzo has 22 walks with 18 strikeouts. And Rizzo is third in the NL in RBI (28).
Cubs Charities and Cubs Care Grant More Than $1 Million to Chicago-Area Nonprofits
On Monday, Cubs Charities teamed up with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation to announce more than $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving those in need in the Chicago area. McCormick Foundation’s Cubs Care has donated more than $20 million to Chicago nonprofit organizations since its inception. This is the 12th consecutive year more than $1 million has been donated to Chicago communities through Cubs Care and Cubs Charities. Cubs Care grants help organizations to provide youth health and wellness programs and education programs.
“Cubs Charities is proud to team up with the McCormick Foundation to support deserving nonprofit organizations serving those in need in our community,” said Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts in a statement. “Through our shared commitment to helping our community thrive, we are able to leave a lasting impact felt far beyond the Friendly Confines.”
Events such as the Bricks and Ivy Ball and Race to Wrigley Charity Run, along with activities such as the gameday 50/50 raffle, personal video board messages and contributions from Cubs players, fans and partners help raise funds for Cubs Care grants.
“Chicago is filled with passionate fans and caring neighbors,” said David Hiller, President and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation in a statement. “For more than 25 years, the McCormick Foundation and Chicago Cubs have shared a commitment to supporting amazing community organizations that work to improve the lives of underserved youth and families across Chicagoland. Together, we will continue to build a stronger community for all of us in the years to come.”
The full list of organizations receiving grants includes:
Cubs Care, a McCormick Foundation Fund:
- Academy for Urban School Leadership
- Action for Healthy Kids
- Breakthrough Urban Ministries
- Center on Halsted
- Chicago House
- Chicago Parks Foundation
- Chicago Public Library Foundation
- Chicago Run
- Chicago Scholars
- Christopher House
- Girls in the Game
- Heartland International Health Center
- Housing Opportunities for Women
- Lake View and High Ridge YMCA
- Metropolitan Family Services
- OneGoal
- Presence Saint Joseph Hospital
- Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Tutoring Chicago
- Union League Boys and Girls Clubs-Cubs RBI
- Urban Initiatives
Cubs Charities:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
- GiGi’s Playhouse
- House of the Good Shepherd
- Lakeview Pantry
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
- Misericordia Home
- National Runaway Safeline
- USO Military Youth Programs
David Berg
RHP David Berg was promoted Monday from High-A Myrtle Beach to Double-A Tennessee. The Smokies placed RHP Jen-Ho Tseng on the 7-day DL on Monday with an undisclosed injury.
Berg appeared in Monday’s game out of Mark Johnson’s bullpen against Montgomery and gave up the hit that allowed the winning run to score in a 2-1 loss to the Biscuits.
David Berg was 2-0 in nine games with a 1.42 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and four saves for the Pelicans prior to the promotion. Berg allowed four runs, two earned, on 10 hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.
Stephen Strasburg
According to multiple reports Monday night, the Nationals agreed to terms on a seven-year, $175 million contract extension with RHP Stephen Strasburg.
Strasburg was set to become a free agent at the end of the season. But instead the Scott Boras client has extended his stay with the Nationals for at least three more years.
The contract includes a “rolling opt out” according to Jon Heyman after years three and four of the contract. And Strasburg can earn an additional $1 million per year in performance bonuses for reaching 180 innings.
The Nationals have scheduled a press conference Tuesday to announce the deal with Stephen Strasburg
Tyler Ihrig
The Cubs released LHP Tyler Ihrig.
The Cubs selected the 24-year old southpaw in the 23rd round of the 2013 draft. Ihrig appeared in four games this season, one with the Iowa Cubs and three with High-A Myrtle Beach. Ihrig did not have a decision in the four appearances, one start, and allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits with five walks and seven strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings (0.84 ERA, 0.84 WHIP).
Ihrig pitched in four levels of the Cubs’ system a year ago and went 3-4 in 31 games, five starts, with a 2.89 ERA and 1.18 WHIP for Triple-A Iowa, Double-A Tennessee, High-A Myrtle Beach and Low-A South Bend.
• Tyler Ihrig’s Page on MiLB.com
News and Notes
• Jesse Rogers reported Joe Maddon could use Kris Bryant in left field more than he has in order to play Javier Baez at third base. Baez has “simply played his way into the lineup at least on a semi-regular basis.” Patrick Mooney asked if Javier Baez will push Kris Bryant to the outfield.
• Bruce Levine explained Kris Bryant’s versatility is an asset to the Cubs.
• Shane Victorino is 3-for-13 in three games with the Iowa Cubs with two doubles (.231/.286/.385). Victorino has started in left and right field and was 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday’s 10-3 victory over Omaha.
• Jake Arrieta has allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last 27 starts, longest streak since 1893 according to a report from Mark Gonzales.
• ESPN Stats and Information put together a list of the best Jake Arrieta stats that they know.
• The Cubs look like a perfect baseball team according to FanGraphs.
• According to the Sun-Times, big needs in play as pitching-thin Cubs approach low-draft pick.
• Ryan Kalish visited patients in the Center for Advanced Care at Advocate Illinois Masonic.
• Joe Maddon is becoming Chicago’s baseball version of Mike Ditka according to Patrick Mooney.
• Jon Paul Morosi reported Monday multiple teams are involved in negotiations with Tim Lincecum. And he’s expected to sign with a team this week.
• FanGraphs charted every pitch the Cubs threw to Bryce Harper during the four-game series.
• Joe Maddon was amused by the accusation the Cubs played scared baseball during the four-game sweep over the Nationals according to the Tribune. And Patrick Mooney reported that Maddon dismissed the Nationals’ whining about the Bryce Harper treatment.
• Bryce Harper gave a homeless woman a jar of money on his way to Wrigley Field for Sunday’s game … an excellent story that hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves.
• Sonny Gray was rocked again according to Susan Slusser.
• According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the judge in the Cardinals hacking scandal ruled former scouting director, Chris Correa, cannot subpoena the Astros.
This Day in Cubstory
2013 – Cubs sent Andrew Carpenter to Rockies as part of conditional deal
2013 – Cubs granted free agency to Kameron Loe
1997 – The Cubs turned the first triple play of the season in San Francisco. A Stan Javier pop fly in shallow center field fell in between three Cubs. The ball bounced off Brian McRae’s glove and fell to the ground for the first out. Kirk Rueter tried to advance to third, McRae threw him out. And the triple play was completed when Darryl Hamilton tried to advance to second base. Jose Hernandez threw to Ryne Sandberg to complete the triple play. The Cubs lost the game 4-2.
1997 – Cubs purchased Rich Sauveur from Tabasco (Mexican League)
1983 – George Kottaras, born
1971 – Cubs released Bob Miller
1956 – Cubs purchased Gabe Gabler from the Milwaukee Braves
1953 – Cubs purchased Herb Adams from the Indians
1947 – Tim Hosley, born
1938 – Merritt Ranew, born
1937 – Jim Hickman, born
1914 – Russ Bauers, born
1910 – Heinie Zimmerman committed four errors and collected four hits in a 9-5 victory over the Giants.
1910 – Phillies purchased Pat Moran from the Cubs
1899 – Freddie Maguire, born
1887 – Bill Davidson, born
1876 – In the first home game in franchise history, Albert Spalding shut out the Reds 6-0 in a game played at 23rd and State Streets.
1875 – Charlie Ferguson, born