All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.

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JUNE 28, 2020 | BRONX, NY

Once again the Chicago Cubs battled back from an early deficit but a pair of homers late were too much to overcome this time as they fell to the New York Yankees Sunday night, ending an impressive 10-game winning streak. "It was an amazing road trip and a crazy stretch for us," said Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo after the game. "We battled back over and over and proved just how resilient we are."

Jose Quintana completed six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five. Quintana earned a no-decision. Ian Happ and Albert Almora Jr. hit back-to-back home runs to kickoff the fourth inning after the Cubs fell behind, 3-0. The pair of home runs made the game 3-2 and two innings later Victor Caratini drove in the tying run on an RBI single.

Tied at three in the top of the seventh, Gio Urshela knocked a solo homer off of Cubs reliever Brad Wieck to put the Yankees back out in front. An inning later Giancarlo Stanton added another run with his own solo shot off of Jeremy Jeffress. All five Yankees came by way of home run.

In the bottom of the ninth hard-throwing southpaw and former Cub Aroldis Chapman shut the door, striking out the side in order to earn his 24th save of the year and ending the Cubs winning streak.

Despite the loss the Cubs sit atop the NL Central division by a comfortable 8.0 games as they return home to face the second place Milwaukee Brewers in a four-game series. Tyler Chatwood (5-2, 4.66) will make the start for the Cubs while Brett Anderson (2-5, 5.67) will be on the bump for the Brewers.

The Cubs have not lost two consecutive games since they dropped a pair to the Cincinnati Reds back on June 4-5.

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JUNE 29, 2020

It has been almost two full years since Brandon Morrow donned a big league uniform, but that could very likely change withing the next few weeks. After an injury-plagued last few seasons the 34-year old veteran has worked his way back and is expected to be called up sometime around the All-Star break, barring no further injuries.

"It's been a difficult and often frustrating road," said Morrow who has spent 2020 with both Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. "I finally feel good and my numbers show that I can still compete, I just hope to get the opportunity to do it again at the Major League level."

Morrow, who suffered another injury setback this year in Spring Training was had to recover the first two months of the season before being game ready. Morrow pitched simulated games until he was cleared to play in mid-April. After a couple weeks with the Cubs Double-A affiliate, Tennessee Smokies, Morrow was promoted to Triple-A on May 26th. In 10 2/3 innings with the Iowa Cubs Morrow has posted an impressive 0.84 ERA a 1.03 WHIP while striking out 9 batters.

Morrow isn't the only possible up-coming addition to the Cubs bullpen. Southpaw Tim Mayza and Arodys Viscaino, both of whom were signed by the Cubs to one-year deals on May 31st have also been playing in Iowa. Mayza, 27, has posted a 4.76 ERA in 5 2/3 innings with the Iowa Cubs while Viscaino has been knocked around a bit in his 14 innings, allowing 12 runs and 17 hits in just 14 innings of work. However, despite sub-par numbers by Mayza and Viscaino, a call-up still may loom on the horizon as both players have shown the ability to record outs at the Major League level.

President of baseball operations, Theo Epstein has kept all options open throughout 2020 and the signings of Mayza and Viscaino, as well as the possible return of Morrow, might be just what the Cubs need in the second half of the season as they make their playoff push.

"We really like our club right now and the way everyone is playing," said Epstein. "But that doesn't mean there's not room for improvement, there always is."

It's been no secret that the Cubs have been desperately looking for help on the mound, especially in the bullpen by way of trade. The Cubs have been tied to various rumors regarding Blue Jays closer Ken Giles and it looked as if a deal was certain a few weeks ago. While the Cubs are likely still shopping for pitching help, the trio of Morrow, Mayza, and Viscaino could help bolster what has been an inconsistent Cubs bullpen.

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JUNE 29, 2020 | CHICAGO, IL

The Milwaukee Brewers smacked 16 hits, including three home runs as they routed the Cubs at Wrigley Field Monday night, 11-4. The loss marked the first time since June 3-4 that the Cubs have dropped two consecutive games.

Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood was touched up for 6 runs on 10 hits through just 4.0 innings as he took the loss and fell to 5-3 on the year. Brett Anderson got the win for the Brewers, completing 5 2/3 innings while allowing four runs on nine hits. Christian Yelich continued to be a nuisance as the hit a pair of home runs and drove in five. And Lorenzo Cain was a tough out once again for the Cubs, finishing 4-for-6 on the night.

The Cubs will look to right the ship Tuesday night as Yu Darvish (9-3, 4.79) will take the mound. Eric Lauer (6-1, 2.85) will be on the hill for the Brewers who are looking for their fifth straight win. Milwaukee has lost just once in their last seven games and have had the Cubs number in 2020, winning 7 of 10 thus far. Despite the loss the Cubs still hold a 7.0 game lead in the NL Central division over the Brewers.

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JUNE 30, 2020 | CHICAGO, IL

Javier Baez continued to make his case for NL MVP Tuesday night as the Chicago Cubs dropped the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-3. Baez smacked his 26th homer in the bottom of the seventh as Yu Darvish earned his 10th win of the year in six innings of work. Baez finished the game with three RBIs.

Darvish improved to 10-3, completing six innings while allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven. The Brewers made things interesting in the top of the eighth when they plated a pair of runs but Craig Kimbrel shut the door in the bottom of the ninth to earn his 24th save of the year and secure the victory for the Cubs.

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This was one of my most epic games ever... definitely the game of the year so far in 2020.



JULY 7, 2020 | CHICAGO, IL

On most nights Steven Souza Jr.'s three-run homer in the top of the ninth would have been the headline, but on Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field it was Brandon Morrow who stole the show. The veteran hurler made his long-awaited return and tossed a flawless eighth inning, striking out the side in order in his first Major League game in nearly two years.

"It was just great to be back out there after so many setbacks," said Morrow. "I was always optimistic that I could get back but there were plenty of bumps along the way... I just hope I can continue to contribute and help the team the rest of the way, I'm glad to be a part of it."

Morrow, 34, is on the last year of his deal with the Cubs and spent the first month of the year on the injured list before splitting time between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. His dominant inning was rewarded in the top of the ninth when Steven Souza Jr. blasted his 10th home run of the season off of White Sox closer Aaron Bummer to give the Cubs a 7-6 lead.

Craig Kimbrel notched his 26th save of the year in the bottom of the ninth to secure yet another come-from-behind victory for Cubs.

"We've just done it all year," said Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo after the game. "We are never out of a game and just like in 2016, 'we never quit,' and it showed again tonight. This team is special and I know we have the right mix to make things happen this year."

Morrow was not the only bullpen arm to make a return to the Majors Tuesday night. Arodys Viscaino, who was signed to a one-year deal back in May, appeared in 1 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out a pair.

Jon Lester made the start for the Cubs and cruised through the first four innings before running into trouble. White Sox outfielder Luis Robert had a career-day, hitting a three-run homer in the fifth and another in the sixth to give the White Sox a 6-3 lead at the time. However, an RBI double, his second of the day, by Anthony Rizzo in the top of the eighth and the three-run homer by Souza in the ninth led the Cubs to victory over their cross-town rivals.

The Cubs will look to sweep the two-game set against the White Sox tomorrow when Kyle Hendricks (9-3, 4.24) makes the start. Carlos Rodon (8-3, 3.51) will be on the bump for the White Sox.

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JULY 8, 2020 | CHICAGO, IL

For the second straight night the White Sox had the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth but Craig Kimbrel shut the door to secure a one-run victory for the Chicago Cubs. Nico Hoerner's RBI double in the top of the ninth proved to be the game-winner after Yasmani Grandal blasted a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth off of Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks.

Hendricks completed 8 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while earning his 10th win of the year. Kimbrel notched his 27th save of the season as the Cubs won at Guaranteed Rate Field, 4-3, sweeping the two-game set against the White Sox.

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JULY 10, 2020 | ATLANTA, GA

In what has become a recurring theme all year, the Chicago Cubs fell behind early and rallied late in yet another come-from-behind victory. This time against the Atlanta Braves.

The Cubs trailed 8-1 after just four as Jose Quintana struggled to record outs. However after a solo homer in the top of the fifth by Jason Kipnis and a pair of runs in the sixth, the Cubs were able to chip away at the Braves' lead.

In the top of the seventh the Cubs offense exploded for seven runs, capped off by a game-tying three-run homer by Jason Heyward. Jason Kipnis added his second homer of the game following the Heyward blast and the Cubs took a 9-8 lead.

The bullpen was solid once again as the recent additions all made appearances. Tim Mayza made his Cubs debut, allowing just one hit, earning the win in the process. Arodys Viscaino struck out a pair in the bottom of the seventh and Brandon Morrow recorded a scoreless eighth. Craig Kimbrel notched his 28th save of the year.