Addison Russell lifted Cubs to 5-3 victory over Reds with three-run shot in bottom of eighth in first game of year at Wrigley After beginning the season on the road and winning five of six games (5-1), it was time for the first game of the year at Wrigley Field. The players had a brand new clubhouse. The hype surrounding the team was at an all-time high. And the most anticipated home opener did not disappoint. Addison Russell, the Cubs' 22-year old soon-to-be All-Star shortstop, delivered … [Read more...]
Cubs 2016 Position Review – Bullpen
While the starting pitching was one of the Cubs greatest strengths this past season, it seemed like the bullpen was the main weakness. With an overall record of 103-58-1, it’s hard to fathom there were very many rough patches but when there was, it seemed like a bullpen meltdown was usually the cause. Overall, 21 pitchers were used in relief and they combined for a 22-19 record, 38 saves, 3.56 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 519 strikeouts in 470.2 innings. Travis Wood ended up leading the bullpen in … [Read more...]
Cubs 2016 Position Review – Starting Rotation
They say pitching and defense wins championships and the Cubs had both in spades last year. Joe Maddon’s starting pitching absolutely dominated their opponents and three of the Cubs starting five finished in the top 10 of the NL Cy Young voting. Eleven pitchers made a start last year and combined for an outstanding 81-39 record with five complete games, two shutouts, a 2.96 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 929 strikeouts in 989 innings. Arguably the best of the starting five was Jon Lester who redeemed … [Read more...]
Cubs Month in Review – July 2016
Cubs Month in Review – July 2016 To outsiders, all systems are normal for the Chicago Cubs thanks to the majors’ best record. Back home in Chicago, all hands are on a deck after the club stumbled to a 12-14 record. The starting pitching that was a strength all year took a serious nosedive, the bullpen continued to falter and the offense was still very inconsistent. Let’s take a look back at what we all hope will be just a blip in a remarkable season. 2016 Team Record: 12-14 Team … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Acquire Aroldis Chapman from Yankees
Cubs acquired LHP Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees for RHP Adam Warren, SS Gleyber Torres, OF Billy McKinney and OF Rashad Crawford The Cubs made it official Monday afternoon. The Cubs acquired LHP Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees for RHP Adam Warren, SS Gleyber Torres, OF Billy McKinney and OF Rashad Crawford. Aroldis Chapman is expected to join the team Tuesday at U.S. Cellular. With the trade, the Cubs’ 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players. The Cubs will have to open a spot … [Read more...]
Cubs, Yankees Reportedly Have Agreed to a Deal for Aroldis Chapman
Updated 11:05am CDT – According to Jon Heyman, the Cubs and Yankees have agreed to a deal for LHP Aroldis Chapman for SS Gleyber Torres, RHP Adam Warren, OF Billy McKinney and one other prospect. Updated 11:24am CDT – Jayson Stark reported the Cubs have been told Hal Steinbrenner has signed off on trading Chapman to the Cubs. Updated 11:27am CDT – According to Patrick Mooney, the fourth player in the deal going from the Cubs to the Yankees is OF Rashad Crawford. Updated 12:19pm CDT – … [Read more...]
Cubs Weekend Headlines: Meat Loaf in Milwaukee, Roster Moves, Rumors, Fowler Returns and Aroldis Chapman
Joe Maddon’s team spent the weekend in Milwaukee and ended up winning a series against the pesky Brewers. Dexter Fowler supplied the spark, and a few big hits on Friday night in his return to the lineup. Fowler led off the game with a home run, doubled in a pair runs and scored twice. Saturday did not go the Cubs way. After being blanked for five innings on Sunday, the Cubs scored one in the sixth and five in the seventh with Anthony Rizzo delivering the big hit a bases clearing … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Activate Joe Nathan, Option Adam Warren to Triple-A Iowa
Cubs activate RHP Joe Nathan from 60-Day disabled list – Option RHP Adam Warren to Triple-A Iowa The Cubs announced two roster moves Sunday morning. And as expected, RHP Joe Nathan has been activated from the 60-day DL. Nathan is in Milwaukee and will be available out of the Cubs’ pen for the finale with the Brewers. To make room for Nathan on the 25-man roster, RHP Adam Warren was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs’ 40-man roster now stands at 40 players. And the active roster … [Read more...]
Lackey Struggles, Cubs Serve Up Three Homers in Loss to Brewers – Brewers 6, Cubs 1
Game Ninety-Six – Cubs 1, Brewers 6 WP – Zach Davies (7-4) LP – John Lackey (7-7) Save – None John Lackey struggled with his command again and allowed three runs in six innings on two home runs. Mike Montgomery made his Cubs debut in the eighth inning and served up a three-run homer to lefty Kirk Nieuwenhuis, his second blast of the game. The Cubs managed just one run off Zach Davies and lost Saturday night in Miller Park. There were very little positives from Saturday night’s loss. The … [Read more...]
Pitching, Defense and a Pair of Two-Out Knocks Down the Rangers – Cubs 3, Rangers 1
Game Ninety – Cubs 3, Rangers 1 WP – Jason Hammel (8-5) LP – Yu Darvish (2-1) Save – Hector Rondon (15) Anthony Rizzo delivered a two-out, two-run double in the third inning off Yu Darvish that gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead. Matt Szczur added a two-out, pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth. Jason Hammel was sharp and allowed one run in six innings. And the bullpen tossed three shutout innings as the Cubs beat the Rangers on Saturday afternoon at the old ballyard. Jason Hammel and the bullpen … [Read more...]