CHICAGO CUBS NEWS

MLB wrap: April 1

The 444-foot homer was the last of New York's runs in its 7-3 victory over Miami.

Alexis Mansanarez

Cubs' Steve Cishek on family golf-cart rides, neighborhood fishing contests and more

Sporting News writer Ryan Fagan traveled through Florida and Arizona this spring, stopping at camps and chatting with the players. One of his side projects is a quick-hitter Q/A we’re calling “Two Minutes With …” Up now: Cubs reliever Steve Cishek.

Ryan Fagan

MLB wrap: March 31

Philadelphia started the Bryce Harper-era off on the right note.

Alexis Mansanarez

MLB wrap: Chris Sale, Blake Snell give fan bases something to worry about

It's just one start, so let's not go nuts, but there are legitimate warning signs for at least one of these pitchers.

Thomas Lott

MLB Opening Day 2019: Scores, results, highlights from every game

Sporting News tracked all the action from Opening Day for the 2019 MLB season. Catch up on the scores and highlights with our updates from Thursday's games.

Jacob Janower

MLB Opening Day 2019: Schedule for all 30 teams

Every MLB team will be playing on Opening Day in 2019 for a second straight year. Here is everything to know about the unofficial national holiday for baseball fans, including first pitch times and TV information for all 30 clubs.

Jacob Janower

Big changes to MLB rosters, trade deadline, All-Star voting to be announced, report says

Separate from those changes, players and owners will begin negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement more than two years before the agreement is set to expire.

Tom Gatto

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo on Harry Potter, T-ball and valet parking

SN writer Ryan Fagan is traveling through Florida and Arizona this spring, stopping at camps and talking with players around the big leagues. One of his side projects is a quick-hitter Q&A we’re calling “Two Minutes With …” Today, a conversation with Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Ryan Fagan

Brody Stevens' death brings reactions from baseball people who knew comedian/actor

Before there was Brody Stevens, there was Steven Brody, pitcher, Arizona State. Baseball remained a part of Brody/Stevens' life after he switched to entertainment.

Tom Gatto

DH in the NL this year? Teams already have options if change happens

Each National League team has at least one designated hitter candidate on its roster, and a lot of those options are making serious money. SN lists the best in-house option ahead of spring training.

Tom Gatto

Jason Bay, Ryan Dempster highlight Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame 2019 induction class

Jason Bay, Ryan Dempster, Rob Thomson and Gord Ash will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame June 15 in St. Mary's, Ont.

Matt Hornick

Bryce Harper rumors: The cases for and against the best fits for the superstar outfielder

Bryce Harper can land any number of places this winter, and his value is through the roof.

Jacob Janower

Should the defensive shift be banned? Not so fast, say MLB managers at winter meetings

A majority of the skippers, not surprisingly, want to keep something that gives them an advantage during games.

Ryan Fagan

Speculation alert: Cubs-Dodgers trade involving Joe Maddon is so crazy it just might work

Should the Cubs trade Joe Maddon to the Dodgers? Yes? Maybe?

Ryan Fagan

Sporting News MLB wild-card game picks, predictions

Two very intriguing matchups in the wild-card game, but only two teams will advance. Sporting News offers its picks for the MLB wild-card games.

Sporting News

Best player value for each MLB playoff club

SN analyzes 10 players, one from each team, whose cost per WAR made them highly valuable in 2018.

Christopher Carelli

Rockies vs. Cubs results: Rockies score in 13th, oust Cubs in NL wild-card game

Tony Wolters, Colorado's third-string catcher, delivers the hit that ultimately sends the Rox to the NLDS, where they'll face the top-seeded Brewers.

Alyssa Sconzo

Cubs vs. Brewers results: Brewers score late, take NL Central crown from Cubs in Wrigley Field

What better way to ring in October than with two teams chasing a division title in Game 163?

Joe Rivera

NL Rookie of the Year race: Ronald Acuna Jr., Juan Soto extend East battle to award vote

The NL East outfielders figure to be rivals for years to come. The competition began in 2018, when each became top-of-the-order producers.

Tom Gatto

MLB standings: Magic numbers, playoff picture as of Sept. 28

Keep track of the MLB postseason races all in one spot.

Drew Nantais

NL MVP race: Javier Baez, Christian Yelich, Freddie Freeman leaders of large pack

The 30 voters for National League Most Valuable Player can choose from a large group of candidates this season. Two Central Division rivals have a handful of games to stand out.

Tom Gatto

Mark McGwire's 62nd turns 20; why feat may be last of its kind in one respect

Fans across the country were invested in Mark McGwire's pursuit of history in 1998. It's difficult to see modern fans getting together in a similar way.

Tom Gatto

SN Throwback Thursday: Young Greg Maddux turns a corner for Cubs

While the potential for greatness was there from the time Greg Maddux debuted in the majors in 1986, it took a while for him to hit his stride. That finally happened in 1988.

Jason Foster

Darvish to miss rest of season

Darvish last pitched in a game for the Cubs in late May.

E.Jay Zarett

David Bote has seized opportunity with Cubs, even as uncertainty lingers

David Bote's career thus far has been built on preparing for and making the most of chances when they come. When you’re an 18th rounder, that’s the life.

Jared Wyllys

8/8/88: Remembering the first night game at Wrigley Field

If you're a baseball fan older than 35, chances are you remember how big a deal it was for the Friendly Confines to get nighttime illumination back in 1988.

Jason Foster

MLB trade deadline winners, losers: Dodgers, Pirates, Yankees make good first impressions

It takes years to accurately gauge moves, but there can still be initial observations. That's our basis for examining trades made during the two weeks leading to the 2018 non-waiver deadline.

Ryan Fagan

The financial implications of five star-studded MLB trade deadline deals

It's difficult to gauge who wins and loses at the MLB trade deadline now, but we can project how some players will play and their value the rest of the season.

Christopher Carelli

Why Joe Maddon's Cubs have been a strong second-half team

Joe Maddon's rotating lineups can sometimes cause fans and even analysts to chirp in protest, but there’s a method to this madness.

Jared Wyllys

Viral Cubs fan reportedly helped kid get foul ball earlier

NBC Sports Chicago host David Kaplan says the adult Cubs fan who appeared to take a foul ball meant for a little kid, isn't such a bad guy after all.

MLB trade news: Cubs acquire RHP Jesse Chavez from Rangers

Chicago addresses its need for pitching in part by acquiring the 34-year-old journeyman.

Tom Gatto

Reds' Joey Votto has trouble making it past Wrigley Field security

Joey Votto is easily recognizable in Cincinnati, but it's a different story in Chicago.

Alec Gearty

Hint of movement on DH a blow for better baseball

Max Scherzer is an exception to the rule that pitchers can't or won't hit, but baseball would be better served by having him and his mound brethren stay out of the batter's box.

Tom Gatto

NASCAR at Pocono: Kurt Busch watches Cubs play in NY, claims racing win at Citi Field

Kurt Busch spent part of his Saturday in the Big Apple conducting business and rooting for his favorite ballclub.

Tom Gatto

May 27, 1984: When the Reds and Cubs had a wild day and Mario Soto went ballistic

Baseball in the '80s was wild, y'all.

Jason Foster

Joe Musgrove's slide into Javier Baez results in benches, bullpens emptying in Cubs-Pirates

It appeared Bucs starter Joe Musgrove was responding to Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo's slide into Pirates catcher Elias Diaz two days earlier.

Tom Gatto

Cubs' bullpen dancers inspire groovy music video

The Cubs' social squad brought the funk with its production.

Tom Gatto

Kerry Wood's 20-K game was just beginning of stellar month for Cubs righty

Kerry Wood’s 20-strikeout game against the Astros on May 6, 1998, was remarkable on its own, but what’s often overlooked is that Wood’s dominance continued for the rest of the month, which was arguably the best of his 14-year career.

Jared Wyllys

May 6, 1998: 20 things you might not remember about Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game

The finer details of Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game on May 6, 1998, make for some pretty cool trivia on their own, so here's a list of 20 other facts about this game that you might not remember or even know.

Jason Foster

MLB's early disappointments: Will these five veterans bounce back from slow starts?

Some guys tend to be slow starters, but big questions remain for some bigger names in baseball.

Ryan Fagan

Bryce Harper, Anthony Rizzo give their lineups an AL feel; take note, NL skippers

The Washington and Chicago sluggers turned into table-setters, and both slugged their way to success in the role.

Tom Gatto

Cubs vs. Cardinals series: Preview, time, TV channel, how to watch online

Two of the NL Central's toughest will face off in a three-game series starting Friday night as the Cubs take on the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Kenan Goyette

The Yankees are overrated, the Cubs are lost and other MLB early season hot takes

We're just over two weeks into the MLB season, which means it's time to start drawing wild, outrageous conclusions based on what we've seen so far.

Joe Rivera

Yankees' bullpen, Dodgers' bats highlight early struggles among contenders

So far, the Yankees, Nationals, Cubs and Dodgers have not looked like the powerhouses everyone thought they would be. The season is still in its infancy, of course, but each club is dealing with issues.

Gary Phillips

Cubs reporter jumps in Lake Michigan to fulfill promise after Ian Happ's home run

Ian Happ hit a home run to start the MLB season, and it was bad news for Cubs reporter Michael Cerami.

Jordan Heck

Anthony Rizzo at vigil for Parkland victims: 'You're not alone in your grief'

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo spoke at a vigil for the 17 people who were shot to death at Rizzo's high school alma mater.

Tom Gatto

With Yu Darvish signing, National League tilts in Cubs' favor

Yu Darvish’s otherwise sterling career should quiet worries over his 2017 World Series performance.

Jared Wyllys

Predicting surprise: Young players who could shine for Cubs, Red Sox in 2018

In Chicago, the Cubs have a relief pitcher in Dillon Maples who might light up the National League if he can improve his command. In Boston, the Red Sox have a third baseman in Rafael Devers who could help anchor the offense if they’re willing to overlook his suspect defense.

Jared Wyllys

Yu Darvish rumors: Cubs, ace reportedly talking; will Gimenez signing matter?

Yu Darvish has a chance to be reunited with the catcher who worked with him in Texas in 2014.

Tom Gatto

Remembering Cubs pitcher Ryan O'Malley and his short, quirky MLB career

Even though it only lasted a few days, Ryan O’Malley’s brief MLB story is one of the quirkier in recent memory.

Ryan Davis

With Brandon Morrow signing, Cubs take a gamble on their bullpen

Brandon Morrow last handled ninth-inning duties with regularity close to a decade ago, when he earned 16 saves between the 2008 and 2009 seasons in Seattle.

Jared Wyllys

MLB playoffs: Dodgers head to World Series after 11-1 win against Cubs

Check out what you may have missed from SN's updates from the Dodgers 11-1 win against the Cubs in Game 5 of the NLCS.

Hailey Hernandez

MLB playoffs: Enrique Hernandez lifts Dodgers into World Series with Puerto Rico on his mind

Enrique Hernandez delivering the biggest blows in the biggest game of the year is chill-inducing stuff.

Ryan Fagan

MLB playoffs: Optimism abounds for Dodgers, Cubs heading into NLCS Game 5

LA and Chicago are feeling good about themselves prior to Thursday's NLCS matchup at Wrigley Field. The Dodgers will have their ace on the mound; the Cubs are just glad they're still playing.

Ryan Fagan

MLB playoffs: Cubs avoid NLCS sweep by Dodgers, force Game 5

Check out what you may have missed with SN's live updates from Game 4 of the NLCS. The Cubs hang on and beat the Dodgers 3-2 to avoid the sweep and force a Game 5.

Hailey Hernandez

MLB playoffs: Jake Arrieta keeps Cubs alive as his future remains in doubt

If Wednesday night was Jake Arrieta’s final start for the Chicago Cubs, it was a banger.

Jared Wyllys

MLB playoffs: Cubs find themselves outmatched, fatigued and on the brink

Deep playoff runs for three consecutive seasons have sapped the Cubs, and they’re showing that against the Dodgers.

Jared Wyllys

MLB playoffs: Dodgers take commanding 3-0 NLCS lead against Cubs

The Cubs couldn't get their offense going and fell 6-1 to the Dodgers for the third straight game. Los Angeles keeps its undefeated postseason streak alive behind a rock-solid outing from Yu Darvish.

Hailey Hernandez

MLB playoffs: Dodgers' collection of LA redemption stories spins a tale of triumph

The Dodgers' lineup for NLCS Game 3 was a motley crew of studs, steals and former stars. Most of the starting eight contributed greatly to the victory that put LA a win away from advancing to the World Series.

Ryan Fagan

MLB playoffs: Dodgers one win away from first World Series trip since 1988

LA takes a 3-0 lead in its best-of-seven NLCS against the Cubs. Only a miracle comeback (right, Dave Roberts?) can stop the Dodgers from ending the franchise's nearly 30-year Fall Classic drought.

Ryan Fagan

MLB playoffs: Cubs face lineup dilemma with offensive struggles of defensive wizards

In an ideal world, Joe Maddon’s best defensive players would be producing at the plate. That would make filling out the lineup card simple. That’s not the case right now, though.

Ryan Fagan

MLB playoffs: Justin Turner flips the switch, and the Dodger machine stays in working order

While Justin Turner played the role of hero on Sunday night, everything that made the Dodgers the Dodgers this season was on full display.

Sarah Wexler

MLB playoffs: Dodgers' Charlie Culberson doing his best Corey Seager impression

While Corey Seager is off the NLCS roster with a back issue, Charlie Culberson is stepping up to make sure the Dodgers don't miss a beat.

Sarah Wexler

MLB playoffs: Cubs manager Joe Maddon ejected in NLCS opener following replay review

Maddon has previously expressed his displeasure with the rule preventing catchers from blocking the plate before they have possession of the ball.

E.Jay Zarett

MLB playoffs 2017: Cubs reach NLCS for third straight year to set rematch with Dodgers

The Cubs are heading to the NLCS for the third year in a row to set up a rematch with the Dodgers. For a franchise that hadn’t even made the playoffs three years in a row since 1906-08, it’s something generations of Cubs fans couldn’t even imagine.

Ryan Fagan

MLB playoffs: Bizarre sequence leads to another postseason heartbreak for Nationals

The fifth inning of the fifth game of the Cubs-Nationals NLDS will haunt people in Washington for a long time. An unfathomable series of events conspired to continue the district's misery.

Ryan Fagan

Cubs vs. Nationals: Score, highlights from Cubs' NLDS Game 5 clincher

The Cubs are headed back to the NLCS. Get all the details and highlights here.

Jason Foster

Nationals vs. Cubs: Score, highlights from NLDS Game 4

After way too much drama, Stephen Strasburg is starting for the Nationals in Game 4. Jake Arrieta takes the mound for the Cubs.

Ryan Fagan

MLB playoffs: Cubs rally to overcome comedy of errors, grab NLDS lead

By the end of the sixth, the Cubs had committed four errors and squandered valuable scoring opportunities. But they overcame those obstacles for a 2-1 win and a 2-1 NLDS lead.

Jared Wyllys

Mike Freeman's story of talent, grit, luck and eight teams in two years

Baseball is full of quirky journeys, and Mike Freeman may have journeyed more than anyone.

Jared Wyllys

Las Vegas natives Kris Bryant, Bryce Harper appear together in PSA prior to NLDS

The video aimed to aid the victims of Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas, which left 58 dead and nearly 500 injured.

E.Jay Zarett

Kris Bryant won't be the MVP this season, but his value to Cubs remains obvious

For many observers, Kris Bryant is just another player who had a nice season in 2017. To his fans and teammates, though, it's been much more than that.

Ryan Davis

David Ross talks Cubs' challenges, World Series favorites and Game 7 home run

David Ross has been a busy man since retiring as a player, but he found time recently to chat with Sporting News about a handful of topics.

Ryan Fagan

Cubs say early struggles make this playoff berth even sweeter than '16

On the final day of the first half, the Cubs were under .500 and looked dead in the water. Their record was unconscionable for a team that steamrolled its way to the postseason the season before.

Ryan Davis

May 17, 1979: The day the Cubs scored 22 runs — and lost to the Phillies

It’s usually safe to assume that when a major league team breaks the 20-run mark in a game, that team will win that game. Unless that team was the Cubs in 1979.

Jason Foster

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