Game One Hundred Twenty-Four: Cubs (78-45) vs. Padres (53-71) Game Time – 9:10pm CDT Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WSCR 670 The Score, Cubs Radio Network, XM Radio Channels 183, 844 Location – PETCO Park, San Diego Jon Lester, LHP (13-4, 2.86/1.07/3.76) vs. Edwin Jackson, RHP (3-3, 5.36/1.51/4.72) The Cubs three-city trip out West moves to San Diego tonight for the first of three with the Padres. After dropping two of three in Denver, the Cubs look to get back on … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Mike Montgomery Settling In, Producing Results and Cubs Sunday News and Notes
The Cubs won for the 16th time in 19 games on Saturday night (15-3 in August) behind an excellent combined outing from Mike Montgomery and Trevor Cahill. Joe Maddon’s team improved to 78-44 on the season. With the Cardinals losing 4-2 in Philly, the lead in the NL Central is back to 13 games. The Cubs have a five-game lead over the Nationals (73-49) for the best record in the National League. And the Cubs plus-215 run differential on the season is best in baseball with the Nationals (+146), … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: ESPN Boldly Predicts Wire-to-Wire Division Crown for Cubs and Other News and Rumors
ESPN posted its bold predictions for each National League team for the upcoming season. And for the Cubs, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers thinks there is a NL Central Division title in Joe Maddon’s future. The Cubs will be picked to win the Central by many of the experts and to play deep into October. Rogers sees the Cubs leading the National League Central Division from Opening Day against the Angels to Game 162 in Cincinnati. Rogers is not predicting more wins for the Cubs in 2016 than the 97 victories … [Read more...]
Edwin Jackson Reportedly Agrees to Terms on a Contract with the Marlins
According to a report from Jon Heyman, the Marlins and free agent right-hander Edwin Jackson have agreed to terms on a contract. Jackson has to pass a physical before the deal becomes official. Terms of the contract have not been released. Joe Frisaro reported Monday that Jackson and the Marlins were closing in on a deal and that it would be a Major League contract. Jackson will complete for a spot in the Marlins’ rotation in Spring Training. Jackson could fill a role on the Marlins as a … [Read more...]
Cubs 2015 Position Review – Bullpen
In our last installment, we analyzed a starting pitching staff that despite a lack of depth was one of the best in all of baseball. While their accomplishments were impressive, what may be even better was a bullpen that finished eighth in overall ERA at 3.38 with 20 pitchers and two position players making at least one appearance. Let’s take a look back at the Cubs patchwork bullpen. Much like last year, the bullpen was again headlined by three pitchers, Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop and Justin … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs Keeping Pace in NL Wild Card Race, Jackson Signs with Braves and Other News
The Cubs won their eighth game in a row Friday after holding off the Sox and taking game-one of round two of the Crosstown Cup series. The Cubs are playing with a lot of confidence right now, receiving contributions from the entire roster. The Cubs season-long eight-game winning streak has come at the right time. The Cubs have maintained their 4 ½ game lead over the Giants for the second NL Wild Card. San Francisco has won two straight while Pittsburgh has also won on back-to-back days. The … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: La Stella Ready for Rehab Assignment, Cubs Release Jackson and Other News and Rumors
Kris Bryant, Starlin Castro and the Cubs’ offense picked up the pitching staff Monday and provided a memorable win over the Rockies. What will be lost in the two comebacks Monday night are the performances turned in by Dexter Fowler and Addison Russell. Fowler singled in the ninth with one out and reached base three times. Russell looks a lot more comfortable at the plate since the break. Russell doubled in a run and turned in another web gem in the field. Joe Maddon could have another … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Select Contract of Rafael Soriano, Designate Edwin Jackson for Assignment
The Cubs made the news official just before Noon on Monday. The Cubs selected the contract of RHP Rafael Soriano from the Iowa Cubs, added him to the 40- and 25-man roster. RHP Edwin Jackson was designated for assignment. Rafael Soriano will be available for Monday’s opener in Cincinnati and he will wear No. 29. With the two roster moves, the Cubs 40-man roster officially stands at 40 players and the 25-man active roster consists of 13 pitchers (five starters, eight relievers) and 12 … [Read more...]
The Daily CCO: Cubs in the Middle of Everything at the Deadline? And Other News and Rumors
After taking two of three and winning a series in Atlanta, the Cubs will begin a four-game in three-day series with the Reds in Cincinnati eight games back of the Cardinals in the division but just 3 ½ games behind the Pirates for second in the central and the top NL Wild Card spot. The Cubs lead the Giants by a full game and hold a two game advantage over the Mets for the second Wild Card. When Joe Maddon met with the players prior to the series with the Braves, he reminded them the goal is … [Read more...]
From the Wire: Cubs Designate Edwin Jackson for Assignment
According to multiple reports, the Cubs have designated RHP Edwin Jackson for assignment to make room on the 40-man and active roster for RHP Rafael Soriano. Soriano will join the Cubs in Cincinnati on Monday. Edwin Jackson appeared in 23 games for the Cubs this season, all in relief. Jackson was 2-1 with a 3.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 2.84 FIP. Jackson pitched mainly in mop-up duty. Jackson struggled from day one with the Cubs and was 8-18 in 31 starts in 2013 with a 4.98 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. … [Read more...]