OSS: The Cubs get to do this one more time to close out the season. Three Four Five up: It was a big day for Miguel Montero, who went 3-5 with 3 RBI and scored on a balk. He’s had a rough year all around, but it’s been nice to see him warm up these last few weeks. I get …
Brewers 5, Cubs 4 / Cubs 93, Cardinals 76 (9.15.16)
OSS: Cubs lose a close one to the Brewers, but clinch the division with a Cardinals loss to the Giants. Also with all the other wins before this one. Three up Jorge Soler had the biggest hit for the Cubs tonight, a two run homer that gave them an early lead. Jason Heyward had his first big night in a …
Cubs 7, Cardinals 0 (9.14.16)
OSS: Cubs magic number drops to Tony Campana. Three up: Jon Lester had another great game, pitching eight scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and just four baserunners. He lowered his ERA to second in the NL, behind teammate Cyle Hendricks. He was on pace for a Maddux in much of the early going, and is probably the favorite to start …
Cubs 4, Cardinals 1 (9.12.16)
OSS: Three outs away from a Cy Young? Three up: Kyle Hendricks was just amazing today, taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning before losing it on a HR by Jeremy Hazelbaker. Even aside from the no-hit bid he was also on pace for a Maddux for most of this game. He lowered his league leading ERA to 2.03, and …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (91-51) at St. Louis Cardinals (75-67)
The Cubs magic number is down to five, so there’s an outside chance that they clinch the division on the Cardinal’s home field. This would be something that I would be okay with. Their last division clincher was also against the Cardinals and witnessed by yours truly, though it was at Wrigley. It’s been a long road back to the …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (89-50) at Houston Astros (74-66)
Remember when the Astros were bad? Like, earlier this year? They got off to a brutal start, going 7-17 in April, and a lot of people (read: me) saw that guys like Dallas Keuchel continued to struggle and simply wrote them off/laughed them away as a one-year fluke. Then they quietly won a whole bunch of games, and dug themselves …
Series Preview: Chicago Cubs (88-48) at Milwaukee Brewers (60-76)
At least the Brewers have a seven game lead on the Reds to avoid finishing last in the division. Looking at the standings, there are five other teams in the NL with records as bad or worse than the Brewers. Remember when the Diamondbacks were viewed as having an outside shot at making the playoffs? (dying laughing). Team Leaders Cubs …
Cubs 3, Giants 2 (9.4.16)
OSS: The Jason Heyward Game? Three up: Heyward drove in all three runs in this game, including the RBI single that sent the game to extras in the ninth and the game-winner in the thirteenth. His slash line since the weekend off in Coors now stands at .308/.320/.442, and hopefully he just keeps on hitting. Addison Russell had a great …
Cubs 5, Giants 4 (9.1.16)
MSS: …before Tuesday’s game against the Athletics, pitcher Jeff Samardzija said he wasn’t thrilled with the moves. “I don’t think this team improves by trading Scott Feldman,” Samardzija said. “He was one of our better pitchers. He’s thrown a lot of innings, a solid dude, a solid guy in the clubhouse. It’s a shame to see him go, and the …
Cubs 6, Pirates 5 (8.31.16)
OSS: Cubs close out August with a nail biter. Three up Kris Bryant homered again, keeping pace with Nolan Arenado for the NL lead. Jason Heyward had yet another solid day at the plate, going 2-3 with a walk, a RBI, and the totally common run-scored-on-balk. Since his series off in Colorado, he has a .333/.351/.500 slash line, and has …