Monday, April 30, 2018

135

Hey hey! The first place Cubs continued their winning ways at Wrigley on Monday, downing the Rockies 3-2. The win was their fifth straight -- the longest winning streak in the NL -- behind strong pitching from Lester, Farrell, Strop, Duensing, and Cishek. The Bucs lost on Monday, dropping the CMN by two.

Almora, Rizzo, and Russell each tallied an RBI for the North Siders, who overcame two errors and a nail-biter 9th on the way to securing the win.

The series continues Tuesday night at Wrigley.

Go Cubs go!



Sunday, April 29, 2018

136

Tyler Chatwood pitched seven shutout innings against the Brewers as the Cubs took all four games of this series.  Chatwood a career .212 hitter helped his own cause with an RBI single for his first hit as a Cub.  The Cubs starting pitching has shown the dominance that was expected early on the last 6 games, all quality starts.  The Cubs have shut out the Brewers five times in eight games.  CJ and Brandon Morrow teamed up to close the door as Morrow earned his seventh save in seven chances.  The Cubs will welcome The Rockies to Chicago tomorrow night.


Saturday, April 28, 2018

138

Holy cow! The Cubs downed the Brewers 3-0 in Chicago on Saturday behind Jose Quintana's dominant start (7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 7 K), an effective small ball offense, and two innings of perfect ball from the bullpen.

Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist both returned from the DL and started the game, Albert Almora and Javy Baez each extended their hitting streaks to 11 games, and Tommy "3 A.M." LaStella drove in two with a pinch-hit single in the 7th.

The series wraps up Sunday at Wrigley before the Rockies head to town for a three-game set starting Monday.

Go Cubs go!


Image Credits:  Chicago Cubs

Friday, April 27, 2018

140

Yu Darvish was strong for the Cubs going 6 giving up 3 hits, 1 unearned run, and striking out 8.  The winning run scored on an error by Eric Sogard, the 23rd already by the Brew Crew, 2nd worst in MLB.  Brandon Morrow did away with the Crew in the 9th only needing 11 pitches to get his 6th save of the season.  The action will continue tomorrow at 1:20 CST as Q takes the mound looking to make it 5 games in a row of 6 IP or more from a Cubs starter.




Thursday, April 26, 2018

141

Kyle Hendricks spread 4 hits over 7 innings with 5 K's and 0 walks.  Kyle Schwarber hit a line drive homer, his 7th for the Cubs only run and it was all the offense needed as CJ and Morrow closed it down together to win the first out of 4 with the Brewers.


Tuesday, April 24, 2018

143

Tyler Chatwood became the first Cubs starting pitcher to throw a pitch in the 7th inning of a game in 2018 going 6 innings and allowing only 1 run.  The Cubs offense and power showed up with two solo home runs from Kyle Schwarber and solo shots by Ian Happ and Willson Contreras as the Cubs won by a final of 10-3.  They will play the Indians again tomorrow at 6:10 Central Time.


Sunday, April 22, 2018

145

After Kris Bryant was hit in the helmet/face in the top of the first the Cubs answered with four straight singles to take a three run lead.  Albert Almora Jr had three highlight reel catches to back Jose' Quintana who went 5 and a third.  He also notched the 1000th strike out of his career becoming the first Colombian pitcher to reach that mark.  Javy Baez stayed hot driving in 3 with a homer and a double and will likely be the player of the week in the National League.  Brandon Morrow with his 4th save in four chances closed the door as the Cubs took the series.  The Cubs will be off Monday before returning to Cleveland for the first time since Game 7 of the World Series in 2016.




Friday, April 20, 2018

146

The Cubs beat the Rockies 16-5 behind a continued opposite field minded offense which has hit 15 opposite field hits the last two games.  The Cubs also scored 7 runs in the 6th inning.  Javy Baez and Kyle Schwarber both had 4 RBI's to back Kyle Hendricks who settled in and went 5 after a rocky first.  The Cubs and Rockies will continue the series tomorrow at 7:10.



SonicElwood & RFBleachers at Coors

The Happy Totals

Thursday, April 19, 2018

149

Cubs win! They split the shortened series with an 8-5 win over the Cards!

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

150

Mother Nature beat the Cubs and Cardinals again on Wednesday, pushing the game back to a Thursday 1:20 p.m. CT start. Thursday's forecast:  partly sunny and a high of 45ยบ F.

The Cubs head to Denver on Friday to start a three-game set. Denver's weekend forecast, per Accuweather.com: "rain Friday evening will change to snow ... 1" before ending Saturday morning." Oh boy.

Go Cubs go!

Monday, April 16, 2018

151

Even though the Cubs were postponed due to weather, with the Pirates loss to the Rockies the magic number drops by one.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

152

HOLY COW! The Comeback Cubs showed up at Wrigley again on Saturday, coming back from a 10-2 deficit to beat the Braves 14-10. Down five in the 8th, the Cubs sent 13 men to the plate and put up a nine-spot to take the lead for good!

AA homered way back in the first, Zo went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored, Javy drove in four, and KB continued his torrid start with a 2-for-3 day, raising his average to .352.

This one felt good. We never quit, indeed.

Sunday afternoon's rubber game was rained out and will be made up on May 14 at Wrigley. The  Cards come to town Monday to start a three-game set that wraps up the homestand.

Go Cubs go!




153

The Cubs are back in action on Saturday at 1:20 p.m. CT against the Braves. Hopefully the bats are now well rested after Wednesday's 13-run outburst.

Quintana takes the mound for the North Siders.

Go Cubs go!


Wednesday, April 11, 2018

154

Holy cow! The Comeback Cubs made their first 2018 appearance at Wrigley on Wednesday night, overcoming an early 3-0 deficit to beat the first-place Bucs 13-5. That's Cub.

Every Cubs starting position player reached base safely, but these fellas stole the show offensively:
  • Albert Almora went 3-for-5 with 2 runs scored.
  • Zo raised his average to .324 by going 2-for-5 with 2 RBI.
  • KB raised his average to .348 with a 3-for-5, 2 RBI night.
  • Ian Happ put the game out of reach with a pinch-hit, two-run homer in the seventh.
  • El Mago blasted a three-run homer to tie the game at 4 in the second; later turned a dropped third strike into a run after advancing to second on a groundout, stealing third, and scoring on a fielder's choice; and capped off the night with his fourth home run in two games!
On the mound, Lester gave up 4 ER in 5 IP, but the Chicago bullpen held the Pirates to one run after that, with Duensing, Strop, and Butler tossing four innings of one-hit ball.

The series wraps up Thursday afternoon at the Friendly Confines. The homestand continues after that with a weekend set against the Braves followed by a three-game series versus the Cards.

Go Cubs go!




Sunday, April 8, 2018

156

Holy cow! The Cubs shut out the Brewers 3-0 in Milwaukee on Sunday behind a quality start from Jose Quintana to take three out of four in the weekend series.

Quintana's line: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 0 ER. Wilson, Edwards, and Morrow combined for three perfect relief innings. On the offensive side, Zobrist went 2-for-4 with a homer, Almora went 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Contreras went 2-for-3 with a stand-up triple.

The Cubs return to Wrigley Field for their home opener on Monday versus first-place Pittsburgh. 

Go Cubs go!




157

Yu Darvish went 6 innings and had 9 strike outs while giving up only 1 run in his second start for the Chicago Cubs.  He wouldn't factor into the decision however, as the Cubs rallied with four 9th inning runs which included a clutch bunt by Jon Lester and a 2 run single by a struggling Ian Happ.  New Cubs closer Brandon Morrow closed the door for his first save since joining the team.  The Cubs and Brew Crew will be back in action today at 1:10 CST as Jose Quintana will take the hill and he'll look to get the Cubs their first series win of the season!

Thursday, April 5, 2018

159

Hey hey! The Cubs' bats came to life in Milwaukee Thursday night, as they shut out the Brewers 8-0. This game had a little bit of everything for Cubs fans: a Heyward homer, El Mago on the basepads, and a Pippen-to-Jordanesque bounce pass from Lester to Bryant to throw out Ryan Braun attempting to steal third.

The bottom of the order took care of business: Willson Contreras went 3-for-4 with a run scored, Addison Russell went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and Javier Baez drove in two. Javy also scored from first on a ball that barely made it out of the infield, as the Brewers kicked it around and he kept the pedal to the metal all the way around the bases.

Starting pitcher Jon Lester looked sharp: 6 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K. CJ Edwards struck out three in one inning of relief, and Cishek & Butler kept the shutout intact.

The series continues Friday at Miller Park. Go Cubs go!

160

The Bucs finally dropped a game! The Cubs are back in action Thursday night in Milwaukee. Lester takes the hill for the men in blue.




Sunday, April 1, 2018

161

Well, that wasn't the weekend in Miami that many Cubs fans were hoping for, as they settled for a split with the Marlins.

The Men in Blue continue their season-starting road trip Monday, when they start a two-game set in Cincinnati. Wednesday, the Cubs travel to Milwaukee, where they'll kick off a four-game set with the first place Brewers on Thursday before heading to the Friendly Confines for their home opener against the Pirates on Monday the 9th.

Go Cubs go!