All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.



JUNE 13, 2020 | ST. LOUIS, MO

The Cubs fell behind early and did not record a hit until the fourth inning, but rallied late to top division-rival St. Louis at Busch Stadium in front of a sold out crowd. Kyle Schwarber, Willson Contreras, and Jason Heyward hit back-to-back-to back solo homers in the top of the sixth off of Cardinals starter Daniel Hudson. Javier Baez added another run with a solo homer of his own in the top of the eighth, his 21st of the year.

Yu Darvish was solid through five innings, allowing just a pair of runs on six hits while striking out six. However, due to a high pitch count Darvish was pulled in favor of Alec Mills in the sixth. Darvish improved to 9-3 on the year. The Cubs bullpen, which has been an area of concern all year, performed well. Alec Mills tossed a scoreless sixth, striking out two, Brad Weick struck out two over two frames and Craig Kimbrel sealed the deal in the ninth, recording all three outs by way of strikeout en route to his 18th save of the year.

The Cubs improve to 42-28 on the year while the Cardinals fall to 32-38. The Cubs now have a 5.5 game lead over the second place Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central division and have won five of their last six games.

Jon Lester (7-3, 3.65) will be on the mound Sunday afternoon as the Cubs look to win the series in the quick, two-game set against the Cardinals. Jack Flaherty (6-5, 3.87) will be on the bump for the Cardinals.

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According to multiple sources, the Cubs continue to shop for possible bullpen help and are deep in talks with the Toronto Blue Jays regarding hard-throwing righty Ken Giles. While specific details of the possible trade have not surfaced, it seems the only hang up at this point might be what exactly the Blue Jays want in return for Giles. President of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, who has been relatively quiet regarding the rumors, spoke briefly to reporters after the win in St. Louis.

"We're always looking to improve our team both now and for in the future," said Epstein. "That never changes... we're exploring all options at the moment but as always have to do what's best for the team in the long-run."

The Blue Jays could take their chances and hang on to Giles for a bit longer, hoping that his stock improves. Giles, who will be a free agent at the end of the year, currently has a 8.18 ERA, by far his highest of his career.

[callmetaternuts]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.

This trade better go through. If not, it’ll be the most discussed trade to never happen!


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.

This trade better go through. If not, it’ll be the most discussed trade to never happen!


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Hahaha! No doubt. It's been a long, discussion.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.



JUNE 14, 2020 | ST. LOUIS, MO

Jon Lester out-dueled Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty as the Cubs added runs late, topping the Cardinals in St. Louis by a final of 4-1, winning their fourth straight game. Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo broke the scoreless tie in the top of the sixth with a solo homer, his 11th of the year. Jon Lester improved to 8-3, completing seven scoreless innings while striking out five.

Cardinals hurler Jack Flaherty struck out eight through six innings of work, allowing just one run on three hits but took the loss, dropping to 6-6. The Cardinals bullpen was touched up for three runs as the Cubs secured the victorty adding runs late. The win wraps up the Cubs nine-game road trip, finishing 6-3. The Cubs will be off Monday before beginning a six game home stand starting with a three-game set against the New York Mets.

Kyle Hendricks (7-3, 4.20) will make the start for the Cubs Tuesday night at Wrigley Field versus the Mets. Hard-throwing Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 3.53) will be on the hill for the Mets.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.



JUNE 16, 2020 | CHICAGO, IL

A solo homer to lead off the top of the 10th by Wilson Ramos and a two-run single by Robinson Cano in the top of the 10th was enough to end the Cubs modest four-game winning streak Tuesday night as the Chicago Cubs fell to the New York Mets at Wrigley Field 6-3 in extra innings.

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks tossed seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits in the no-decision. Mets hard-throwing righty Noah Syndergaard completed seven innings of his own, striking out eight. Syndergaard also earned a no-decision.

The Cubs tied the game in the bottom of the eights with Kris Bryant's 16th home run of the year. But Dan Winkler struggled in extra innings, allowing three runs on just 2/3 innings as the Cubs suffered the loss.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


JUNE 19, 2020 | CHICAGO, IL

Chris Sale struck out 11 hitters and the Boston Red Sox had a 4-0 lead after four innings, but the Chicago Cubs rallied late, eventually winning in 10 innings to earn their third consecutive victory. Cubs starter Yu Darvish struggled early but settled in, striking out 10 batters through 6 1/3 inning. Darivsh allowed two runs in the top of the first and another pair in the top of the fourth, earning the no-decision in the Cubs come-from-behind victory.

Kris Bryant singled home a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Cubs on the board and cut the Red Sox lead to 4-1. However, the big blow came a few innings later when Ian Happ belted a game-tying, three-run homer into the right field bleachers.

In the bottom of the 10th David Bote lined a ball that skipped just under the glove of Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo. As the ball rolled all the way to the ivy-covered wall, Anthony Rizzo rounded third and scored easily for the game-winning run.

"That was an incredible game, all around," said Ian Happ after the game. "Right now we're just coming through when it matters most and we're showing just how talented this team can be."

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


JUNE 20, 2020 | CHICAGO, IL

For the second straight game the Chicago Cubs scored the wining run in the last inning to best the visiting Boston Red Sox. After David Bote completed a come-from-behind victory yesterday with an RBI single in the 10th, Anthony Rizzo belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth Saturday night at Wrigley Field as the Cubs bested the Red Sox by a final of 6-4.

Jon Lester faced off against his former team but earned the no-decision after six innings of work. Lester allowed four runs on six hits while recording just one strikeout. Brad Weick earned the win and improved to 2-0 on the year.

The Cubs victory, their fourth consecutive, may have come with a price as NL MVP candidate Willson Contreras left the game with an apparent leg injury. Contreras will be evaluated by team doctors tomorrow.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


JUNE 24, 2020 | CINCINNATI, OH

The Chicago Cubs belted eight home runs in an 18-4 drubbing of the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday afternoon, extending their winning streak to seven games. Steven Souza Jr., Victor Caratini, and Jason Kipnis hit back-to-back-to-back solo homers off of Reds starter Wade Miley in the top of the second inning to start the onslaught. Javier Baez and Kris Bryant were the only two positions players not to hit home runs. But despite not launching any longballs, both Cubs sluggers ended the day with impressive numbers.

Baez, who has to be in consideration for the NL MVP if he continues to play the way he has during the first half, finished with a double, triple and a pair or RBIs. Baez was thrown out at home in an attempted inside-the-park homerun.

Ian Happ and Steven Souza each homered twice and Tyler Chatwood enjoyed an abundance of run support on way to his 5th win of the year.

The Cubs racked up a total of 23 hits in the win and continue to be baseball's most potent offense. Their 153 home runs is the most in the Majors and 17 more than the next closest team (Oakland Athletics). The Cubs, like many other clubs last season, set a new team franchise record for home runs with 256. The Minnesota Twins set a new MLB record with 307 long balls. At the half way point in the season, the Cubs are set to shatter their single season franchise record for home runs and could possibly set a new mark for the league. An impressive feat for a National League team especially, considering they do not have the luxury of the designated hitter for most of their games.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


JUNE 26, 2020 | BRONX, NY

The Yankees scored three runs on five hits in the bottom of the first inning off of southpaw Jon Lester, but that was all they would score, as the Cubs came back yet again to win their ninth straight game, topping the Yankees in the Bronx, 4-3.

After falling behind 3-0 in the first, the Cubs came roaring back in the top of the second. Jason Hewyard put a ball in the right field stands on a solo homer, his eighth of the year, to get the Cubs on the board. Three batters later Jason Kipnis belted a no-doubt homer to right off of Yankees hurler Luis Severino to tie the game, 3-3.

Neither team scored another run until Jason Heyward's line drive inched over Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela to bring Kyle Schwarber in to score from second in the ninth inning. Trailing by one run in the bottom of the ninth, the Yankees would make it interesting as Tyler Hicks smacked his second double of the game into the left-center field gap. However, Cubs closer and long-time Yankees nemesis Craig Kimbrel recorded the final three outs of the game en route to his 22nd save of the year as the Cubs solidified their ninth consecutive victory.

Over the last couple weeks the Cubs have proved to not only to be baseball's most potent offense, but also arguably the most resilient team as well. During the Cubs current nine-game winning streak, the team has trailed in seven of the games, often late and have seen a number of walk-off and extra inning victories during the streak.

"It's been an amazing couple weeks," said Cubs first year manager David Ross. "This is a special group and they show it pretty much every day... we're never out of a ballgame and we've proven that time and again this year."

The Cubs will look to push their winning streak to 10 games tomorrow night as Kyle Hendricks (7-3, 4.24) will take the mound against James Paxton (7-5, 4.83). The Cubs have a comfortable 9.0 game lead in the NL Central division over the second place Milwaukee Brewers.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


JUNE 27, 2020 | BRONX, NY

The hottest team in baseball extended their winning streak to ten games Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium as the Chicago Cubs completed yet another come-from-behind victory. The Cubs trailed the Yankees 6-0 after three innings but tied the game in the top of the fourth. The six-run fourth inning included a solo homer by Willson Contreras, his 22nd of the season, a bases clearing double by Daniel Descalso, followed by a two-run homer by Albert Almora Jr., his 9th of the year.

It looked as if Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks was headed for the showers early after a rocky start. But the Cubs hurler was able to complete 5 1/3 innings and earned his eighth victory of the year. Hendricks allowed six runs on eight hits while striking out five.

The Yankees pushed across a run in the bottom of the ninth but Craig Kimbrel entered the game and recorded the final out of the game, striking out Aaron Judge and recording his 23rd save of the year.

"They just seem to be on another level right now," said Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. "We've had them down early both games of this series but they just battle right back... they have a tough lineup, top to bottom and they showed that the past couple games."

The Cubs have now trailed in eight of their last ten games, but have won each of them, often scoring runs late and winning a few in extra innings.

"It's exciting baseball right now," said Cubs superstar shortstop Javier Baez. "It's fun to be a part of and I think this team is just going out and having fun right now."

The Cubs will look for their third straight series sweep tomorrow as they close out the series against the Yankees in the Bronx. Jose Quintana (6-2, 3.30) will be on the bump for the Cubs, who look to make it 11 consecutive wins. Masahiro Tanaka (6-6, 3.57) will make the start for the Yankees. The Yankees have won just twice in their last six games and sit 4.0 games behind the first place Red Sox in the American League East division.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


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.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.



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.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


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.

[Gagnon39]

Re: All the Way, Again: A Chicago Cubs Franchise.


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.