All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.

[Gagnon39]

I've been getting absolutely hammered lately, no signs of it slowing down either...

[Gagnon39]

SAN DIEGO (OS) -- The Chicago Cubs ended their five-game losing streak Friday night as they topped the Padres at Petco Park by a final of 8-6. The Cubs bullpen, which has struggled mightily so far in 2020 was called upon for the majority of the game after starter Yu Darvish was forced to leave the game due to injury in just the top of the third.

Darvish, who was said to have a minor hand injury, was impressive through 2 1/3, recording each out by way of strikeout. Recently called-up reliever Casey Sadler made his first appearance of the year in relief after Darvish's injury and recorded the win, despite tossing just 1 2/3 innings. Sadler allowed a pair of runs on three hits. Including Sadler, the Cubs relied on four relievers before Craig Kimbrel finished the job in the ninth for his seventh save of the year.

The offense was paced by Willson Contreras, who smashed a grand slam in the top of the fifth off of Padres starter Zach Davies. Contreras was 5-for-3 on the night as he continued to swing a hot bat.

With the win the Cubs snap their longest losing streak of the season and look to make it two wins in a row tomorrow as Jon Lester (5-2, 3.36) will start for Chicago. The Padres will call upon Chris Paddack (4-3, 4.38). San Diego had won six consecutive games prior to the 8-6 loss to the Cubs Friday.

INJURY UPDATES:

YU DARVISH: The Cubs starter left the game Friday night after recording seven strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings but is not expected to miss any time. His injury is likely a finger sprain.

IAN HAPP: The Cubs utility man, who was having a monstrous year, suffered a torn hamstring in early May and is expected miss another month. A return in late June or early July is likely for Happ.

STEVE SOUZA JR: Recovering from a head contusion from a misplayed ball last week, Souza will likely be sidelined until the end of May. He will be re-evaluated and could be out as long as 1-2 months.

[dfsJunkie]

Big time win, nice seeing Contreras step up for you.

[OldHossRadbourn]

What's your draft strategy and any rumors or news on extending Rizzo and/or Bryant?

[moose141]

Always love the graphics, man! Great to see you still at this, remember your Cubbies back in the DM days. Definitely will be following along.

[Gagnon39]

SAN DIEGO (OS) -- The Chicago Cubs jumped out to an early lead as Kris Bryant and Javier Baez led off the game with back-to-back home runs off of Padres starter Chris Paddack. The Padres answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first and Eric Hosmer's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fifth evened the game at 2-2. But the Cubs were able to push across a pair of runs in the top of the eighth and the bullpen held on for a hard-fought victory over the Padres at Petco Park Saturday night for their second consecutive win.

Jon Lester was solid through six innings, allowing just two runs on three hits, but earned the no-decision. Tyler Olson improved to 2-4 on the year after a scoreless sixth and Craig Kimbrel shut the door in the ninth to earn his second save in as many nights, and his eighth on the year.

The two consecutive victories come after the Cubs had dropped five straight and seven of eight dating back to the May 6th loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cubs manager David Ross is hoping the recent momentum will help propel the Cubs on their nearly two week road trip. "We've played well the last couple games and you just have to focus on what you're doing right and continue them game-to-game," said Ross. "The season is a marathon and you can't hang your head when you hit a losing streak. This team is resilient and they showed that the last two games."

The Cubs will look to take three of four from the Padres tomorrow afternoon as they wrap up the series before a day off Monday. Kyle Hendricks (5-2, 3.67) will take the mound for the Cubs opposite Dinelson Lament (1-3, 5.76).

[Gagnon39]

Quote: Originally Posted by OldHossRadbourn

What's your draft strategy and any rumors or news on extending Rizzo and/or Bryant?

The Cubs are likely to be pitcher heavy in the 2020 MLB Entry Draft after years of stockpiling positional talent. The majority of the Cubs scouts have spent their time this season searching for talented young arms but that doesn't mean that the Cubs might not still take a position player if he is the best available.

An extension this year for Kris Bryant is rumored to be, "highly unlikely." The 2016 NL MVP could talk an extension with the Cubs in the offseason but that's too far away and there's too many variables to predict that this early. Trade talks were heavy at the 2019 Winter Meetings but they failed to produce a deal for Bryant. Ultimately, the Cubs position near the trade deadline will likely play a large part in the future for Bryant with the Cubs. If the Cubs are looking to sell at the deadline, Theo Epstein is likely to still entertain trade discussions for the star slugger.

Anthony Rizzo has been in talks with the Cubs and it seems that both sides are hoping to reach a deal at some point, whether this season or in the offseason. Rizzo, 30, is currently in his ninth year with the Cubs and the only hangup on an extension could possibly be the term of the contract. The Cubs are not likely to want more than a four-year deal.

[Gagnon39]

May 17, 2020

SAN DIEGO (OS) -- Tommy Pham and Manny Machado each homered in the bottom of the first to give the San Diego Padres an early 3-0 lead, but the Chicago Cubs rallied back to claim their third consecutive victory, 6-5. "That's the kind of gutsy win you like to see," said veteran southpaw Jon Lester. "I've been around the game a long time and I know this group has what it takes to win."

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks settled in after a shaky first inning, completing five innings and striking out four batters to improve to 6-2 on the year. Anthony Rizzo belted his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot off of Padres starter Dinelson Lament in the top of the third to get the Cubs on the board.

Trailing 4-2 in the top of the sixth with two outs, the Cubs drew four consecutive walks, including a bases loaded pass by pinch-hitter David Bote to cut the lead to one. Kris Bryant followed up the Bote walk by driving in a pair of runs on a single up the middle off of Padres reliever Luis Perdomo to give the Cubs their first lead of the game, 5-4.

Craign Kimbrel earned his third consecutive save, his ninth of the year, punching out one.

The Cubs will be off tomorrow before traveling to Pittsburgh for a three game set against the Pirates at PNC Park. The Pirates sit in last place in the NL Central division with a 13-32 record. Jose Quintana (3-2, 3.86) will pitch for the Cubs while the Pirates will call upon Joe Musgrove (2-4, 2.76). The Pirates are just 3-12 over their last 15 games.