2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

Chicago (AP)- The Chicago Cubs have gone 104 years without winning the world series, that is currently the longest active championship drought in all of the Major North American Sports. The Cubs have various nicknames including the loveable losers, as they have one of the largest fan bases in the country to not win a World Series within the lives of the majority of their fans. In Chicago the Cubs are referred to as the North Siders because of their cross town rival the Chicago White Sox who are on the south side of the city. The Cubs have been playing at the same ball park, Wrigley Stadium, since the year 1916 and it doesnt look to be changing any time soon.

The Curse
For those who don’t know this is the curse that the Cubs have to deal with every season. In the year 1945 the Cubs had a home game in the World Series and a man by the name of Billy Sianis bought two tickets, one for himself and one for his goat. Officials at Wrigley field told Sianis that the goat would have to leave because of the unpleasant smell it was causing. Upon being ejected from the game, Sianis declared “The Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” The Cubs lost the series and have never been back to the World Series since.

Bartman
If you’re a fan of baseball and haven’t heard of Steve Bartman then you have been under a hole since the year 2003. In the 8th inning of the NLDS against the Florida Marlins with a 3-0 lead Louis Castillo hit a ball toward the left field stands, Moises Alou reached up to grab the ball but Steve Bartman reached out and deflected the ball away from Alou, the worst part about this was that Bartman was a lifetime Cubs fan and the game was at Wrigley Field. Castillo would walk and two batters later Cubs shortstop Alex S. Gonzalez became infamous as well. He allowed a ball to go right between his legs on an easy double play ball that could have ended the inning. The inning ended with the Marlins scoring 8 runs and went on to win Game 6 and later Game 7. The Cubs have since reached the playoffs just twice, both times being swept in three games by a team from the NL West, the Diamondbacks in 2007 and the Dodgers in 2008.

Flash Forward to 2015: The Cubs have now positioned themselves with the leadership of Theo Epstien and Jed Hoyer as a major player in not only the NL Central but in the MLB. Theo and Jed were able to persuade manager Joe Maddon to come lead one of the youngest teams in all of baseball. They were also able to pry Jon Lester away from various other teams to join the Chicago Cubs as the Ace pitcher the team has been missing for many years.

The team looks strong and looks like there will be some additions later on in the season from top prospects like Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber which could lead to one of the strongest lineups in all of baseball.

Franchise Settings:
System: PS4
Rosters: OSFM 1 with some additions to the Cubs prospects from Mr. Oldboy
Games: Play 162 per season


This franchise is purely fiction, all references to real life situations and or people are purely coincidental. This franchise is done in the name of fun and all references to people and their actions are purely to enhance the reading experience.

Note: The goal is to play this dynasty for many years, the updates may not always be daily, but the goal is to one day win a World Series with the Cubs in this version of the show, I will not be purchasing another version of the Show until I do so, so just know, this could take many many many seasons.

Re: 2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

Cubs Yearly Recap
2015: (56-46)

Cubs Award Winners:

MLB Award Winners:

MLB Yearly Recap:

World Series Winners:

Re: 2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

Record vs. Other Teams


ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (1-2)
May 22nd, 2015: 7-3 Win
May 23rd, 2015: 4-5 Loss
May 24th, 2015: 4-6 Loss



ATLANTA BRAVES (2-1)
July 17, 2015: 7-2 Win
July 18, 2015: 5-6 Loss
July 19, 2015: 2-1 Win (14 innings)



BALTIMORE ORIOLES (0-0)



BOSTON RED SOX (0-0)



CINCINNATI REDS (6-7)
April 13th, 2015: 1-5 Loss
April 14th, 2015: 6-3 Win
April 15th, 2015: 2-4 Loss
April 24th, 2015: 7-1 Win
April 25th, 2015: 2-5 Loss
April 26th, 2015: 4-5 Loss
June 11th, 2015: 3-2 Win
June 12th, 2015: 5-7 Loss
June 13th, 2015: 4-0 Win
June 14th, 2015: 3-2 Win (11 innings)
July 20th, 2015: 3-4 Loss
July 21st, 2015: 3-2 Win
July 22nd, 2015: 1-2 Loss



CHICAGO WHITE SOX (2-1)
July 10th, 2015: 4-3 Win
July 11th, 2015: 2-0 Win
July 12th, 2015: 1-5 Loss



CLEVELAND INDIANS (2-2)
June 15th, 2015: 2-0 Win
June 16th, 2015: 8-9 Loss
June 17th, 2015: 4-1 Win
June 18th, 2015: 5-6 Loss



COLORADO ROCKIES (2-4)
April 10th, 2015: 7-10 Loss
April 11th, 2015: 6-5 Win
April 12th, 2015: 4-5 Loss
July 27th, 2015: 5-4 Win
July 28th, 2015: 2-3 Loss
July 29th, 2015: 3-6 Loss



DETROIT TIGERS (1-1)
June 9th, 2015: 8-2 Win
June 10th, 2015: 2-7 Loss




KANSAS CITY ROYALS (1-2)
May 29th, 2015: 2-1 Win
May 30th, 2015: 2-11 Loss
May 31st, 2015: 3-4 Loss in 12 innings



LOS ANGLES ANGLES (0-0)



LOS ANGELES DODGERS (3-1)
June 22nd, 2015: 5-4 Win (10 innings)
June 23rd, 2015: 5-4 Win (10 innings)
June 24th, 2015: 6-5 Loss (11 innings)
June 25th, 2015: 11-6 Win



MIAMI MARLINS (5-1)
June 1st, 2015: 7-3 Win
June 2nd, 2015: 9-5 Win
June 3rd, 2015: 5-3 Win
July 3rd, 2015: 8-3 Win
July 4th, 2015: 5-1 Win
July 5th, 2015: 10-14 Loss



MILWAUKEE BREWERS (2-4)
May 1st, 2015: 8-10 Loss
May 2nd, 2015: 1-3 Loss
May 3rd, 2015: 4-8 Loss
May 8th, 2015: 5-2 Win
May 9th, 2015: 6-4 Win
May 10th, 2015: 0-6 Loss



MINNESOTA TWINS (3-0)
June 19th, 2015: 5-3 Win
June 20th, 2015: 10-2 Win
June 21st, 2015: 3-2 Win



NEW YORK METS (5-2)
May 11th, 2015: 2-1 Win
May 12th, 2015: 4-8 Loss
May 13th, 2015: 0-5 Loss
May 14th, 2015: 3-1 Win
June 30th, 2015: 8-0 Win
July 1st, 2015: 3-1 Win
July 2nd, 2015: 6-3 Win



NEW YORK YANKEES (0-0)



OAKLAND ATHLETICS (0-0)



PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (1-2)
July 24th, 2015: 0-3 Loss
July 25th, 2015: 16-11 Win
July 26th, 2015: 5-6 Loss



PITTSBURGH PIRATES (5-5)
April 20th, 2015: 6-1 Win
April 21st, 2015: 3-4 Loss
April 22nd, 2015: 4-5 Loss
April 23rd, 2015: 7-0 Win
April 27th, 2015: 6-5 Win
April 28th, 2015: 5-3 Win
April 29th, 2015: 4-0 Win
May 15th, 2015: 0-4 Loss
May 16th, 2015: 4-7 Loss
May 17th, 2015: 0-2 Loss



SAN DIEGO PADRES (3-3)
April 17th, 2015: 4-1 Win
April 18th, 2015: 6-1 Win
April 19th, 2015: 8-4 Win
May 19th, 2015: 3-7 Loss
May 20th, 2015: 1-6 Loss
May 21st, 2015: 1-6 Loss



SEATTLE MARINERS (0-0)



ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (9-4)
April 5th, 2015: 2-1 Win
April 7th, 2015: 2-1 Win
April 8th, 2015: 3-0 Win
May 4th, 2015: 5-1 Win (11 innings)
May 5th, 2015: 1-3 Loss (15 innings)
May 6th, 2015: 4-0 Win
May 7th, 2015: 5-1 Win
June 26th, 2015: 1-5 Loss
June 27th, 2015: 2-7 Loss
June 28th, 2015: 2-3 Loss
July 6th, 2015: 4-0 Win
July 7th, 2015: 8-2 Win
July 8th, 2015: 11-2 Win



SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS (0-0)



TEXAS RANGERS (0-0)



TORONTO BLUE JAYS (0-0)



WASHINGTON NATIONALS (3-4)
May 25th, 2015: 7-3 Win
May 26th, 2015: 0-1 Loss
May 27th, 2015: 0-2 Loss
June 4th, 2015: 1-0 Win
June 5th, 2015: 3-8 Loss
June 6th, 2015: 7-1 Win
June 7th, 2015: 3-4 Loss

Re: 2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

Cubs Transactions:
April 2015
4/14 Tommy La Stella 3B placed on disabled list
4/14 Zach Rosscup LHP recalled from Triple A Iowa
4/16 Mile Olt 3B placed on disabled list
4/16 Justin Grimm RHP placed on disabled list
4/16 Neil Ramirez RHP placed on disabled list
4/17 Brian Schlitter RHP recalled from Triple A Iowa
4/17 Chris Denorfia LF activated from disabled list
4/17 Kris Bryant 3B contract purchased and recalled from Triple A Iowa.
4/19 Matt Szczur RF optioned to Triple A Iowa
4/19 Gonzalez Germen RHP recalled from Triple A Iowa
4/21 Arismendy Alcantara CF Optioned to Triple A Iowa
4/21 Addison Russell contract purchased and recalled from Triple A Iowa.
4/27 Brian Schlitter RP optioned to Triple A Iowa
4/27 Junior Lake LF recalled from Triple A Iowa
May 2015
5/3 Signed SP Felipe Paulino to minor league contract: Outrighted to Tripla A Iowa
5/3 Released SS Ryan Dent
5/4 Placed RF Chris Denorfia on disabled list
5/4 Activated RP Justin Grimm from disabled list
5/4 Optioned RP Gonzalez Germen to Triple A Iowa
5/4 Recalled RP James Russell from Triple A Iowa
5/6 Optioned CF Junior Lake to Triple A Iowa
5/6 Recalled RF Matt Szczur from Triple A Iowa
5/13 RF Jorge Soler placed on disabled list
5/13 CF Junior Lake recalled from Triple A Iowa
5/16 Traded C Wellington Castillo to the Seattle Mariners
5/16 Acquired RHP Yoervis Medina from the Seattle Mariners: Optioned to Triple A Iowa
5/16 Designated LHP Phil Coke for Assignment
5/16 Purchased the contract of Mike Baxter RF from Triple A Iowa
5/16 Activated Tsuyoshi Wada from 15 day disabled list
5/17 Optioned RHP Brian Schlitter to Triple A Iowa
5/17 Recalled RF Matt Szczur from Triple A Iowa
5/26 Activated RF Jorge Soler from disabled list
5/26 Optioned RF Matt Szczur to Triple A Iowa
5/26 Released LHP Phil Coke
June 2015
6/2 Optioned RF Mike Baxter to Triple A Iowa
6/2 Recalled RF Matt Szczur from Triple A Iowa
6/4 Chris Denorfia RF activated from 15 Day disabled List
6/4 Matt Szczur RF optioned to Triple A Iowa
6/9 Sign Rafael Soriano CP to Minor League Contract
6/9 Released Chris Valaika 1B
6/13 Optioned Junior Lake LF to Triple A Iowa
6/13 Recalled Brian Schlitter RP from Triple A Iowa
6/16 Purchased the contract of Kyle Schwarber C from Double A Tennessee
6/16 Designated Rafael Lopez C for Assignment
6/16 Optioned Brian Schlitter RP to Triple A Iowa
6/17 Placed Zach Rosscup RP on Disabled List
6/17 Recalled Yoervis Medina RP from Triple A Iowa
6/22 Kyle Schwarber C Optioned to Triple A Iowa
6/22 Matt Szczur RF Recalled from Triple A Iowa
6/26 Jon Lester SP Placed on 15 Day DL
6/26 Donn Roach SP contract was purchased from Triple A Iowa
6/26 Mike Olt 3B Transferred from 15Day DL to 60Day DL
6/27 Tsuyoshi Wada SP Placed on 15 Day DL
6/27 Neil Ramirez RP activated from 15 Day DL
July 2015
7/2 Acquired SP Clayton Richard from the Pirates in exchange for C Rafael Lopez
7/4 David Ross C placed on Disabled List with Concussion
7/4 Tommy La Stella 3B transferred to 60 day Disabled List
7/4 Taylor Teagarden C Contract Purchased from Triple A Iowa
7/4 Donn Roach SP Optioned to Triple A Iowa
7/4 Gonzalez Germen RP Designated For Assignment
7/4 Clayton Richard SP Contract Purchased from Triple A Iowa
7/5 Jorge Soler RF Activated from Disabled List
7/5 Matt Szczur RF Optioned to Triple A Iowa
7/5 Acquired Ben Rowen RP from Baltimore Orioles
7/5 Traded Gonzalez Germen RP to Baltimore Orioles
7/6 Matt Szczur RF Optioned to Triple A Iowa
7/6 Jorge Soler RF Activated from Disabled List
7/9 Donn Roach SP Designated for Assignment
7/9 Mike Olt 3B Activated From Disabled List
7/9 Mike Olt 3B Optioned to Triple A Iowa
7/12 Mike Baxter RF Optioned to Triple A Iowa
7/12 David Ross C Activated from Disabled List
7/17 Miguel Montero C Placed on Disabled List
7/17 Kyle Schwarber C recalled from Triple A Iowa
7/18 Chris Valaika 1B signed to Triple A Iowa
7/20 Edwin Jackson RP Designated for Assignment
7/20 Rafael Soriano RP Contract Purchased from Triple A Iowa
7/21 Jon Lester SP Activated from DL
7/21 Clayton Richard SP Designated for Assignment
7/21 Donn Roach SP Claimed off of Waivers by San Diego Padres
7/22 Yoervis Medina RP Recalled from Triple A Iowa
7/24 Clayton Richard SP optioned to Triple A Iowa
7/27 Edwin Jackson RP released
7/27 Ryan Dent SS signed to minor league contract
7/27 Optioned RP Yoervis Medina to Triple A Iowa
7/27 Recalled SP Dallas Beeler from Triple A Iowa
7/28 Placed RP Neil Ramirez on DL
7/28 Recalled RP Yoervis Medina from Triple A Iowa
7/28 Designated RF Mike Baxter for Assignment
7/28 Optioned SP Dallas Beeler to Triple A Iowa
7/28 Puchased RP Ben Rowen from Triple A Iowa

Re: 2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

2015 Opening Day
St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) @ Chicago Cubs (0-0)

Chicago (AP)- The Cubs trotted out Jon Lester to face the Cardinals Adam Wainwright on the opening night of all of baseball this season. Lest of course the high profile acquisition of the Cubs and Wainwright the ever competitive Ace pitcher for the Cards. There will be no love lost between these two teams today and the rivalry may just be heating back up with a brand new look Cubs team.

The Cardinals struck in the first hitting with two out hits from Matt Holliday, who hit a triple down the right field line and Mike Adams who drove in Holliday.

The game quickly turned into a pitchers duel until the bottom of the 5th when the Cubs were finally able to break through with a one out double by Mike Olt followed by a base knock by David Ross. Jon Lester was next up and used a sacrifice bunt that was PERFECT and allowed Olt to reach the plate from 3rd. Tommy La Stella was next up and had an RBI Double to right driving in Ross with two outs and the lead!

The Cards were unlucky in both the 6th and 7th leaving runners in scoring position. In the 7th, it was because of Phil Coke who came in for Jon Lester with 1 out and the bases loaded and was still able to get a double play ball right away.

That was just the beginning of the highlight reel footage that the Bullpen can start showing. In 2 and 2/3 innings pitched the Cubs Bullpen didn't allow a single base runner with great efforts from Coke, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon who picked up the save with a perfect 9th inning.

The Cardinals out hit the Cubs 8-6 but the Cubs left the game with a 2-1 win.

Cubs Win 2-1

W: Jon Lester (1-0)
L: Adam Wainwright (0-1)
S: Hector Rondon (1)

Next up: Following a day off, Jake Arrieta (0-0) will take on Lance Lynn (0-0)

Re: 2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

Cardinals (0-1) @ Cubs (1-0) Game 2

Chicago (AP) - The Cubs took on the Cardinals in game two of the three game series to open up the brand new 2015 season. Jake Arrieta would be on the bump for the Cubs and Lance Lynn took the hill for the Cards. Right away this one looked like it would be close battled game as the Cubs and Arrieta were able to keep runners off the bases for 3 innings but, with two outs in the 4th, Arrieta gave up a triple followed by an RBI single by Matt Holliday who has just been raking all series so far (hitting .667 at the time of the hit).

The Cubs were able to strike back in the 5th inning when Arismendy Alcantara was able to lead the inning off with a base knock followed by an RBI Double by Dexter Fowler that allowed Alcantara to come all the way around to score however some poor base running would end the threat by the Cubs to take the lead.

The game was back to a defensive struggle until the bottom of the 8th, Jake Arrieta had pitched all 8 innings for the cubs but the Cards had taken Lane Lynn out of the game. The Cubs, were led by Chris Coghlan who led the inning off with a double followed by a RBI double by Mike Olt.

On Olt's double it appeared the Johnny Peralta, who was having a rough day at the plate already appears to have been injured on the play, the initial belief is that the injury is very serious and he may miss some significant time.

The Cubs then called on Hector Rondon to shut the door on the Cardinals who had only managed 4 hits against Jake Arrieta all game. Rondon was able to maintain his perfect streak with another perfect 9th inning shutting the door on any hopes the Cardinals had at winning the series.

Arrieta was the player of the game with 8IP, 4H, 1ER, and 8K.

The Cubs outhit the Cards 10-4 and the Cubs won the game 2-1


W: Jake Arrieta (1-0)
L: Matt Belisle (0-1)
S: Hector Rondon (2)

Next Up: The Cubs look to sweep the Cardinals to start the season



Injury Report: The Cubs catcher Miguel Montero pulled his leg muscle and should be ok, though he may be day to day with the injury for the next few days.

Injury Report for the Cards Johnny Peralta who was injured during the game was diagnosed after getting an MRI with a Torn Calf Muscle. Peralta was obviously upset after the game knowing that this means he will miss at least 2-3 months early in the season. Peralta being a 10 year vet and a 32 year old shortstop, this could be the beginning of the end for him as it may be tough for him to come back from such an injury later in the year.

The Cardinals called up RF Stephen Piscotty from Triple-A Memphis
Piscotty had not yet swung this season for Triple A as the season hadn't started yet, but according to various prospect reports, Piscotty is a clear cut favorite for the #1 prospect in the Cardinals organization. Only time will tell if he will be inserted into the Cardinals lineup right away, though it does look doubtful with Heyward, Holliday and Jay having the starting roles planned out.

Re: 2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

Get out the Brooms!
Chicago (AP)-The matchup as the Cubs attempt to sweep the Cardinals in the opening series of the season. Travis Wood (0-0) vs Michael Wacha (0-0)

The excitement started early after an error by Jorge Soler, Matt Holliday reached second base and decided to test Dexter Fowler following a base hit, however, Fowler through a strike to the plate and Miguel Montero applied the tag to get out of the inning.

In the 4th inning Joe Maddon was successful in his first challenge of the year after a jump throw up the middle from Arismendy Alcantara on a ground ball from Matt "Cub Killer" Holliday. The call was overturned for an out for the Cubs.

In the 5th the Cubs finally got their first base runner and were able to get the bases loaded with no one out. However Wacha was able to get a shallow line out from Alcantara, a hard liner right at the 2nd baseman from Travis Wood followed by a strike out by Tommy La Stella to avoid any damage.

Travis Wood was finally pulled from the game after a triple from Arismendy Alcantara which brought Wood to the plate after throwing 7 scoreless innings of 4 hit baseball. The man that was called on to hit for Wood was Jonathan Herrera, the man believed to be just holding the spot for Kris Bryant on the roster. Herrera made the best of his first opportunity of the year with a base hit that score Alcantara.

The flood gates then opened for the Cardinals, after walking the next batter, La Stella, Dexter Fowler came up against new pitcher to the game Randy Choate. Fowler proceeded to rip a ball past a diving Matt Holliday that rolled to the wall for a 2 RBI Triple. All setting up the hard working Wood for a win and an impressive turn around from last season.

The Cubs bullpen remained perfect led once again by Hector Rondon who picked up his 3rd save in 4 days by blanking the Cardinals in the 9th. Pedro Strop picked up another hold by blanking the Cards in the 8th. More Importantly your Chicago Cubs have now reached 3-0 with a sweep of the hated Cardinals.

The Cubs won the hits battle 7-4 and the game 3-0
W: Travis Wood (1-0)
L: Michael Wacha (0-1)
S: Hector Rondon (3)

Top performers in the Series.
Cubs Top Players
Chris Coghlan 4/11 with 2 2B
Hector Rondon 3IP 0H, 0W, 6K, 3SV

Cub Killer
Matt Holliday 5/11 1R, 3B, RBI

Up Next: The Cubbies head to Colorado and a homecoming for Dexter Fowler. Jason Hammel (0-0) will match up against Eddie Butler (0-0) and the (1-2) Colorado Rockies

Re: 2015 Chicago Cubs --- Road to a Dynasty
 

Nice job opening the season with a sweep bro, the Cubs seem like a fun team to play with. Good luck with this, I'll be following