Anthony Rizzo (again) out of Cubs beginning lineup, Baez might

Joe Maddon was compelled to maintain Anthony Rizzo out of Sunday’s beginning lineup. Meanwhile, a extra deliberate time without work may very well be coming quickly for Javier Baez. After his again tightened up throughout Saturday’s 15-inning marathon, Rizzo was held out to start the collection finale with Milwaukee. Rizzo, who saved making an attempt to stretch his again Saturday, was accessible to pinch-hit and the Cubs had been planning to see how the primary baseman feels after Monday’s off day. On Sunday morning, Rizzo texted Maddon to inform him concerning the concern. Following a telephone name with Maddon, Rizzo went to Wrigley to attempt to loosen up, however his again didn’t reply nicely sufficient to be within

Will Cubs — or anyone — survive the tough, robust NL

The National League Central shouldn't be a division. It’s a beast, a monster, a factor. It breathes fireplace. The Cubs and the Brewers opened a three-game sequence at Wrigley Field on Friday, and there was an comprehensible temptation to make it into an enormous deal. Last season, the 2 groups met in Game 163 to determine the division title. The Brewers walked away from Wrigley that day as Central champions, and the Cubs trudged to their doom in a wild-card sport. So, sure, a three-game reenactment of that battle would have been an enormous deal if not for the truth that each sport and each sequence within the division this season figures to be an enormous deal. As

Cubs’ lineup again in Bryzz-ness as Brewers get to city for

The Bryzzo Souvenir Co. seems to be open for enterprise once more — and maybe not a second too quickly for the Cubs, with the Brewers on the town for a three-game battle for the National League Central lead this weekend. ‘‘It’s nonetheless manner early within the season, however I feel we’re taking part in our greatest baseball of the entire yr,’’ stated third baseman Kris Bryant, who seems to be pretty much as good on the plate as he has for any stretch since at the least 2017. ‘‘That’s all the time good once you’re going right into a collection towards a crew that’s going to provide us robust video games from right here on out and

With Pedro Strop down, Cubs blow save however stroll off on Jason

With nearer Brandon Morrow already down, and Pedro Strop happening the injured listing Wednesday with a hamstring damage, Cubs supervisor Joe Maddon referred to as his nearer state of affairs “the wild, wild west.” It solely acquired wilder when Kyle Ryan gave up the leadoff hit within the ninth and veteran Steve Cishek finally blowing the save after one other single, a wild pitch and run-scoring grounder. It was the second blown save of the week and sixth in 12 probabilities this season for a bullpen that has principally carried out effectively — even appeared to overachieve at instances — for a Cubs crew in a three-way scrum jockeying this week for the highest spot within the National

Cubs investigating fan who appeared to make use of racist hand

The Cubs stated they're investigating an incident by which a fan sitting behind NBC Sports Chicago reporter Doug Glanville appeared to make use of a racist gesture on air Tuesday evening. The fan used the gesture whereas Glanville, who's black, was making an on-air report through the Cubs’ win over the Marlins. It’s been related to white nationalists and right-wing trolls lately. Team president of baseball operations Crane Kenney stated in an electronic mail assertion a number of hours after the Cubs’ 5-2 victory had been conscious of the gesture and looking out into it. “An particular person seated behind Mr. Glanville used what seems to be an offensive hand gesture that's related to racism, Kenney stated. “Such ignorant

Is the baseball juiced? ‘If it’s, simply inform us,’ says Cubs

Home runs are being hit at a better fee this yr than ever earlier than, and Cubs ace Jon Lester is amongst a rising variety of outstanding veterans who need to know what’s occurring. “I know they’re not rubbed-up like they used to be,” mentioned Lester after teammate Kris Bryant’s walkoff homer, referring to the longtime observe of rubbing an MLB authorized mud on sport balls to take away the sheen and supply a greater grip. “You get balls again, they usually’re mainly white. It looks as if they’re proper out of the field. “I had a chunk of the ball on my finger at one level tonight.” Through April, homers had been being hit within the majors

Cubs’ Kris Bryant: So dangerous, he is (very) good

Kris Bryant is so dangerous. How dangerous is he? So dangerous, he’s on tempo to drive in 100 runs — from the No. 2 spot within the order, no much less — and rating effectively over 100 extra. Geez, no surprise Cubs followers are complaining about him like he’s an invading fly of their batting-helmet bowl of nachos.Kris Bryant: He's not that horrible a participant in any case. | Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press Where can we stand on Bryant today, anyway? Is he an upper-case GOAT or a lower-case goat? Is he a hero or a bum? Does “Bryzzo” actually have such an amazing ring to it, or is “Baezzo” simply plain higher? Here’s what I think: Bryant