Thursday, December 31, 2015

BULLS, BUTLER & NEW YEARS CHEMISTRY at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – Much of the conversation surrounding the Chicago Bulls of late has dealt with their perceived chemistry issues.

While it may be beneficial to explore why the Bulls win big games and lose others, the frustration of fans stems from the team’s potential to play with the best in the ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBULLS, BUTLER & NEW YEARS CHEMISTRY

Thursday, December 24, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS at Cubsquest.com

25 December:

Christmas comes but once a year, as the saying goes, and maybe for some that"s one time too much. For others, though, it is more than just a celebration of the Birth of Christ.

Historically speaking it"s not even His birthday; that would be sometime in March. He was a Pieces....
Check it out at Cubsquest.comMERRY CHRISTMAS

Monday, December 21, 2015

CRAWFORD STEPPING UP FOR HAWKS at Cubsquest.com

TREVOR BLACK on the Hawks

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Blackhawks moved into second place, tied with St. Louis, in the Central Division thanks to a 4-3 overtime victory over the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.

Chicago wrapped up the week with three wins and only one loss, affording them their f...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCRAWFORD STEPPING UP FOR HAWKS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CUBSQUEST at Cubsquest.com

21 December:

As all Cub fans are now aware, Tom Ricketts, Theo Epstein and the Cubs have given all of their fandom a series of wonderful Christmas presents.

Yes, Hannukah gifts as well, too.

For Cubsquest, just getting rid of one particular player was gift enough. But to bring aboard...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comHAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CUBSQUEST

Thursday, December 17, 2015

STARLIN CASTRO: A FAREWELL ESSAY at Cubsquest.com

17 December:

The dust has finally settled on the Starlin Castro era of the Chicago Cubs.

Now that he is in the rear view mirror, Cubsquest offers up a summary of the bottom line. This site has been one of the very few that has told you the unvarnished truth on his tenure here, devoid of...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comSTARLIN CASTRO: A FAREWELL ESSAY

KANE STREAK ENDS at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – And so the point streak ends at 26 games for Patrick Kane.

The record breaking streak got nearly halfway to the all-time record before being cut off by Semyon Varlamov and the Colorado Avalanche. It’s no surprise that Varlomov was the one to blank Kane, and the Hawks for that mat...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comKANE STREAK ENDS

Saturday, December 12, 2015

HAWKS HOLDING OWN IN NHL NORRIS at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – Two games, one opponent, two outcomes.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ last two contests have been against the Nashville Predators, one home and one away. Corey Crawford was a wall in the first game, stopping 36 or Nashville’s 37 shots en route to a 4-1 Hawks victory in Chica...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comHAWKS HOLDING OWN IN NHL NORRIS

CASTRO GONE. LACKEY, ZOBRIST AND HEYWARD ON. NEXT? at Cubsquest.com

12 December:

It was, by any standard, a big week for Theo Epstein and the Chicago Cubs.

Considering they won 97 games and went to the NLCS, it is still probably the best week the team ever had. The impact of these moves will reverberate for years.

Adding John Lackey was done to solidify...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCASTRO GONE. LACKEY, ZOBRIST AND HEYWARD ON. NEXT?

Friday, December 11, 2015

JASON HEYWARD A CUB: REPORTS at Cubsquest.com

11 December :

According to reports, and pushed by Gordon Wittemeyer of the Chicago Sun Times, free agent outfielder Jason Heyward has chosen the Cubs over the Cardinals and Nationals. This was as of 12:05 CDT.

Wittemeyer, who is still wearing the egg of the Castro trade (he assured...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comJASON HEYWARD A CUB: REPORTS

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

at Cubsquest.com

TREVOR BLOCK on the BULLS

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Bulls’ loss Monday to the Phoenix Suns echoed loudly through the halls of the Eastern Conference.

In a much more competitive East division this year, the Bulls are threatened by new, strong opponents. However, Chicago’s roster is spoiled w...
Check it out at Cubsquest.com

BEN ZOBRIST: WHY HE"S A GREAT FIT at Cubsquest.com

9 December:

The Cubs have finally moved on from the Starlin Castro era.

For the last 5 years he has defined the team, for better, or (mostly) worse. His failings bolstered by the "3 time All Star" meme, which was never really anything more than PR spin. Ultimately, his removal now allows...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEN ZOBRIST: WHY HE"S A GREAT FIT

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

CASTRO GONE; ZOBRIST IN- BIG DAY FOR CUBS at Cubsquest.com

8 December:

Starlin Castro was traded Tuesday evening to the New York Yankees for pitcher Andy Warren and infielder Brendan Ryan. This is pending a physical.

The Yankees will take on the remainder of Castro"s $38 million contract. This is only 24 hours after the Chicago media -we shall...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCASTRO GONE; ZOBRIST IN- BIG DAY FOR CUBS

Monday, December 7, 2015

WINTER MEETS BEGIN at Cubsquest.com

7 December:

On this day 74 years ago, the second single greatest terror attack was waged against the United States.

Japanese bombs and torpedoes killed 2,400 people that day. 9/11 delivered a deadlier total; almost 3,000. A week ago the third most deadly incident occurred in California,...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWINTER MEETS BEGIN

Thursday, December 3, 2015

WINTER MEETINGS: WHAT TO EXPECT at Cubsquest.com

3 December:

The snowflakes have fallen on the 2015 season, brilliant and fun as it was to behold.

But in baseball, like life, the operable phrase is "what have you done for me lately?" And pulling 97 wins out of basically nowhere sets notions in people"s minds. Many Cub fans will be...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWINTER MEETINGS: WHAT TO EXPECT

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

CUBS SPARED MISTAKES at Cubsquest.com

2 December:

There has been a lot of teeth gnashing and brow beating over the Cub front office and their reluctance to spend like drunken sailors on the free agent market. Pushed by a media machine that wants huge payouts for athletes, the fans are buying the notion that there is so much money...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SPARED MISTAKES

Monday, November 30, 2015

CUB PAYROLL LIMITATIONS at Cubsquest.com

30 November:

The facts are in.

The Cubs can only add about $20 million to their current payroll. For the time being they will be limited to the $130-140 million range. Now there"s nothing inherently wrong with this; the best thing about financial restrictions is it keeps teams from doing...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB PAYROLL LIMITATIONS

Thursday, November 26, 2015

BEARS, CUTLER BEAT PACKERS IN LAMBEAU at Cubsquest.com

26 November:

It was a strange game.

Interesting, even fun to watch. But just, well, strange. The Bears got off to their patented slow start, allowing Aaron Rodgers lead his team down the field on their second possession and take an early 7-0 lead.

Meanwhile the Bears played both sloppy, ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS, CUTLER BEAT PACKERS IN LAMBEAU

BEARS-PACKERS ON TURKEYDAY. AS GOOD AS IT GETS at Cubsquest.com

26 November:

So, after everyone is done feasting on turkey and trimmings, has let their belt out a notch or two, and is enjoying the warm glow of a nice spiced cider the Chicago Bears will play football against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau field.

In a predicted "wintry mix". too....
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS-PACKERS ON TURKEYDAY. AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

TURKEY DAY AND THE CUBS at Cubsquest.com

24 November:

So far so quiet.

The moves so far:





NOVEMBER


DATE
TRANSACTION


November 20, 2015
Acquired RHP Spencer Patton from Texas for INF Frandy Delarosa. Selected the contracts of INF Jeimer Candelario, C Willson Contreras, RHP Pierce Johnson and INF Dan Vogelbach...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comTURKEY DAY AND THE CUBS

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

JAKE ARRIETA: 2015 CY YOUNG WINNER at Cubsquest.com

18 November:

This one was all but inevitable; with all due apologies to the Los Angeles Dodgers fine one-two punch of Clayton Kershaw (third) and Zach Greinke (second).

They both had superb years. Then again, Arrieta"s was beyond superb, or stellar, or any other adjective.

Unless...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comJAKE ARRIETA: 2015 CY YOUNG WINNER

WILL PC WAVE HIT HAWKS? at Cubsquest.com

Culturally Appropriate Chicago Blackhawks Logo by First Nations Artist Goes Viral





Vincent Schilling




11/18/15





When Winnipeg radio hostsTom and Larryposted a “new and improved” and culturally appropriate Chicago Blackhawks logo created by Ojibway artist Mike Iva...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWILL PC WAVE HIT HAWKS?

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

JOE MADDON WINS MANAGER OF THE YEAR at Cubsquest.com

17 November:

Yes, Terry Collins was named manager of the year already.

But that was the Sporting News, which while a respected journalistic institution isn"t the final arbiter on this award. That the Baseball Writer"s Association of America.

The ones who voted for Rookie of the Year....
Check it out at Cubsquest.comJOE MADDON WINS MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Monday, November 16, 2015

KANE HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – It’s no surprise that Patrick Kane is playing superstar caliber hockey in the beginning stages of this year’s NHL season. Right…?

Most players who enter the new season playing well had a strong offseason and prepared themselves adequately for the coming months. Patrick Kane? Woul...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comKANE HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE

KRIS BRYANT: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR at Cubsquest.com

16 November:

In the end it wasn"t even close.

Cub third baseman Kris Bryant garnered all 30 first place votes and won in a unanimous decision. Giant third baseman Matt Duffy finished second with 22 second place votes, and Pirate infielder Jung Ho Kang was a distant third with...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comKRIS BRYANT: ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Sunday, November 15, 2015

BEARS SHEAR RAMS 37-13 at Cubsquest.com

16 November:

Nobody saw THIS coming.

Your humble Cubsquest staff did, sort of. We predicted a victory albeit a much thinner margin; 21-17. It"s on John Mullin"s post at Comcast if you"d like to check it out.

The game always felt good here.

But a butt spanking? A good old fashioned...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS SHEAR RAMS 37-13

Saturday, November 14, 2015

FOLLOW CUBSQUEST TWEETS at Cubsquest.com

14 November:

Cubsquest has publishing cutting edge analysis for three and a half years now.

We"ve had over 5,000 people visit over 7,000 times and view almost 14,000 pages. Not bad for a little under the radar Cub intensive baseball site. We have since moved into other venues in order to...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comFOLLOW CUBSQUEST TWEETS

Thursday, November 12, 2015

CUBS IN PURSUIT at Cubsquest.com

12 November:

The Hot Stove season is in full bloom.

The Cubs are involved in just about everything, although a word of caution is warranted. The local media desperately wants the team to spend lavishly on free agent pitching while ignoring the real needs of the team.

This is typical,...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS IN PURSUIT

Monday, November 9, 2015

BEARS BEAT CHARGERS; CUTLER SETS BEAR TD RECORD at Cubsquest.com

10 November:

It was a strange game with two struggling teams.

Dropped passes, missed field goals, incredibly stupid penalties on both sides were the hallmark of the contest. It was, admittedly, ugly.

Except when it was beautiful.

And there was no more beautiful sight than when Zach...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS BEAT CHARGERS; CUTLER SETS BEAR TD RECORD

CUBS FORCED INTO EARLY DECISIONS at Cubsquest.com

9 November:

It didn"t take long.

The Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays jumped into the trade market quickly; catching the league off guard with a six player deal four days ago. It isn"t so much the players involved; reliever Nathan Karns and outfield prospect Herschel Mack "Boog"...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS FORCED INTO EARLY DECISIONS

Friday, November 6, 2015

QUALIFYING OFFERS: WHAT THAT MEANS at Cubsquest.com

6 November:

Today is the deadline for teams to extend qualifying offers to their free agents is today at 5 pm Eastern.

If you average out the 100+ highest paid players you"ll find an average of a little over $15 million a year. Now, keep in mind NO player has ever accepted a qualifying...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comQUALIFYING OFFERS: WHAT THAT MEANS

"SPECTRE" WORTH A VIEW at Cubsquest.com

6 November:

OK, so it isn"t baseball.

There are other sites regurgitating dated information if you care to remind yourself. There is a life outside of baseball, and sports in general. If you live 24/7 in a world of professional sports, and simply MUST have edge of the seat action on all...
Check it out at Cubsquest.com"SPECTRE" WORTH A VIEW

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

BULLS STRONG START at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Bulls capped off at 3-1 opening week with a win over the Orlando Magic Sunday night.

Chicago’s first regular season week under new head coach Fred Hoiberg was satisfactory. Aside from an overtime loss, which the Bulls had no business being in, to the Detroit Pistons, ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBULLS STRONG START

STARLIN CASTRO TO WHITE SOX? at Cubsquest.com

4 November:

OK, so this isn"t even a rumor.

But let"s take a look at the circumstantial evidence. The White Sox have announced the signing of former Cub manger Rich "Ricky" Renteria as a bench coach.

Wednesday the Sox said they were not picking up the option on Alexei Ramirez; declining...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comSTARLIN CASTRO TO WHITE SOX?

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

2016 CUBS: WHAT TO DO? at Cubsquest.com

4 November:

The dust has started to settle.

Kansas City had their most excellent victory parade Tuesday, the whole city turned out and a good time was had by all. Then again,  James Bond"s arch enemy Ernst Stavro Blofeld had an interesting take on the region.

With a killer satellite in ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.com2016 CUBS: WHAT TO DO?

Monday, November 2, 2015

ROYALS EMBARRASS METS; TAKE TITLE at Cubsquest.com

2 November:

It was always meant to be the Royal"s year.

From the last moment of the 2014 World Series, where Alex Gordon held up at 3rd with the tying run in the 7th game when many thought he"d have scored, to their fans hijacking the All Star game, to their dismantling of the New York...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comROYALS EMBARRASS METS; TAKE TITLE

Saturday, October 31, 2015

METS SELF DESTRUCT; ROYALS UP 3-1 at Cubsquest.com

31 October:

The weird play continued Saturday night. Halloween had it"s imprint on the World Series.

The Mets were nursing a 3-1 lead after 5 when apparently malevolent spirits possessed manager of the year Terry Collins. He left his young pitcher Steven Matz in one inning too long. Most...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comMETS SELF DESTRUCT; ROYALS UP 3-1

Friday, October 30, 2015

NOT SO FAST, SAY THE METS at Cubsquest.com

31 October:

The Kansas City Royals entered the den of the Addam"s Family Friday night.

The whole family was there. Gomez. Morticia, Uncle Fester. Pugsley and Cousin Itt were in the stands as well. Left field line.

The Royals were always going to have their work cut out for them. Winning...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comNOT SO FAST, SAY THE METS

METS RETURN TO NEW YORK: WILL ROYALS MELT IN BIG APPLE? at Cubsquest.com

30 October:

The high flying Kansas City Royals come to the City that Never Sleeps.

Back in Kansas, where Dorothy and Toto exist, the big city there rolls up it"s streets at 11 pm promptly. Can their baseball club succeed in an atmosphere where one can go out for some Ethiopian chow at 4...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comMETS RETURN TO NEW YORK: WILL ROYALS MELT IN BIG APPLE?

Thursday, October 29, 2015

ROYALS TAKE A 2-0 LEAD IN SERIES at Cubsquest.com

29 October:

One thing has become clear this 2015 post season.

The Kansas City Royals are absolutely relentless. They have an approach, it"s full on 24/7. Right from Alcides Escobar and his first pitch attack -why would ANYONE throw this guy a fastball there- to the excellent preparation of ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comROYALS TAKE A 2-0 LEAD IN SERIES

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

COLLINS M.O.Y. REEKS OF NEW YORK MEDIA CRONISM at Cubsquest.com

Terry Collins: Manager of the Year. Roll that one off your tongue.

In a Brooklyn accent, munching on a slab of that nasty, greasy pizza New Yorkers tout as some kind of gourmet cuisine, perhaps it sounds enticing, even credible...

But to the huddled masses outside of the Big Apple who...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCOLLINS M.O.Y. REEKS OF NEW YORK MEDIA CRONISM

ROYALS TAKE GAME ONE at Cubsquest.com

28 October:

It came down to two pitches and one outfield misplay.

Matt Harvey gets a fastball up on the first pitch of the game to Alcides Escobar, who drives it to left center.  Yoenis Cespedes and Michael Conforto got their communication fouled up, and it bounced off the wall and around ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comROYALS TAKE GAME ONE

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

WORLD SERIES TONIGHT at Cubsquest.com

27 October:

Sure, most of you don"t care much.

Can"t be blamed much for that. This great Cub run drained most; just focus on Jake Arrieta after the victory over the Pirates in the playoff game. He looked shot, and admitted as much.

250+ innings of intense competition at a supremely high...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWORLD SERIES TONIGHT

Monday, October 26, 2015

PRE-SEASON OVER - BULLS READY FOR SEASON at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Bulls ended their preseason with a win Friday night, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 103-102.

Chicago concluded their preseason with a record of 4-4 along with some promising facets to a newly directed team. Coach Fred Hoiberg’s new offensive system has proven to be ef...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comPRE-SEASON OVER - BULLS READY FOR SEASON

FIRST LESSONS TO TAKE FROM CUBS 2015 SEASON at Cubsquest.com

26 October:

It"s been six days since The Debacle.

The wonderous Cub summer exposed as the baseball equivalent of Operation Market Garden, or "The Bridge too Far" as the disaster came to be known.

The comparison? The Allies thought they could basically finish off the German army on the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comFIRST LESSONS TO TAKE FROM CUBS 2015 SEASON

Sunday, October 25, 2015

UNHAPPY WITH CUB LOSS? BLAME TBS at Cubsquest.com

25 October:

The final phase of the 2015 baseball season begins Tuesday night on FOX.

Which brings us to a new scapegoat. Unhappy with the Cub"s post season run? Who isn"t?

Blame TBS. That"s right; dump it on Turner Broadcast System. The "minor leagues" of the baseball post season...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comUNHAPPY WITH CUB LOSS? BLAME TBS

Saturday, October 24, 2015

REASON #1 TO GO TO THE ART INSTITUTE at Cubsquest.com

24 October:

Continuing on our little art appreciation theme. Keep in mind baseball is an "art" as well as a game, so the beauty does transfer. There"s THIS:

Walt Whitman, the famous American poet, had connections to baseball. As a newspaper reporter, he covered early American ball games in...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comREASON #1 TO GO TO THE ART INSTITUTE

Friday, October 23, 2015

HAWKS SHOW UP STRONG, TOP FLORIDA at Cubsquest.com

TREVOR BLOCK on the HAWKS

Chicago, IL – The Blackhawks secured their first win without star defenseman Duncan Keith, who is out of the lineup for 4-6 weeks due to a torn meniscus.

Playing without Keith means his defensive partner, Brent Seabrook, will have to step up in his absence. S...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comHAWKS SHOW UP STRONG, TOP FLORIDA

WORLD SERIES SET: METS TAKE ON ROYALS at Cubsquest.com

24 October:

Congratulations to the Kansas City Royals.

They and their fans have obsessed to a fanatical degree to engineer a return to The Dance and got it. Their hijacking of the All Star game- the over the top tampering with the system- was so egregious that MLB had to get involved and...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWORLD SERIES SET: METS TAKE ON ROYALS

THERE"S MORE TO LIFE THAN SPORTS at Cubsquest.com

23 October:

Some of our esteemed and brilliant readers have asked why Cubsquest doesn"t just do all sports 24/7/365.

Like Bleacher Reports. Or ESPN.

The answer is simple. Baseball guys here. And ones with busy lives that include other, far more mundane AND esoteric pursuits. Our staff...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comTHERE"S MORE TO LIFE THAN SPORTS

OFF SEASON REMEDIES at Cubsquest.com

23 October:

So, does anyone really care about the rest of the baseball season?

If you do, then the funny series will be Mets versus Toronto. Will Daniel Murphy, who averages 11 homers a year outhomer the Blue Jay sluggers in that ridiculous carpeted launching pad?

The worst park in the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comOFF SEASON REMEDIES

Thursday, October 22, 2015

THE HANGOVER: WHAT TO DO NEXT at Cubsquest.com

22 October:

The dust is settling on Wrigley Field.

Only in the abstract, of course. They will be busy little beavers this off season and the next few making the needed improvements  to the aging infrastructure. The renovations are really a rebuilding, and an ambitious one.

By 2020 this ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comTHE HANGOVER: WHAT TO DO NEXT

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

CUBS DREAM SEASON ENDS DISMALLY at Cubsquest.com

22 October:

This series is going to leave a sour taste for some time.

What should have been at least a competitive series turned into perhaps the most one sided rout in NLCS history. The Mets came in ready to play, that"s for sure.

And just as certain the Cubs were NOT. Almost...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS DREAM SEASON ENDS DISMALLY

WHY IT HAS GONE SO WRONG: LOSING ANALYZED at Cubsquest.com

21 October:

This is as difficult to write as it may be unpleasant to read.

The sense of dread over Wrigleyville for the last few days is now impending doom. While there is no doubt that the Cubs can recover not only from an 0-3 hole but flat out terrible play, it is not a safe bet.

The...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWHY IT HAS GONE SO WRONG: LOSING ANALYZED

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

CUBS SAVE WORST FOR LAST; FACE SWEEP at Cubsquest.com

21 October:

It wasn"t supposed to be like this.

While there is little doubt that this young Chicago Cub team has had a magnificent season; easily exceeding all expectations, nobody expected THIS.

An epic, only Chicago Cub intensive, fail. With all of the flaws and none of the magic...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SAVE WORST FOR LAST; FACE SWEEP

CUBS SIGN CUBAN PROSPECT MARTINEZ at Cubsquest.com

20 October:

It"s now official.

After yet another contentious acquisition, which one could say has been the trademark of the Theo Epstein regime, the signing of Eddy Julio Martinez has been announced by Baseball America"s Ben Badler.

Like other Carribean rim players Martinez had a number...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SIGN CUBAN PROSPECT MARTINEZ

Monday, October 19, 2015

HAWKS FLATLINING EARLY ON at Cubsquest.com

TREVOR BLOCK on the Hawks

Chicago, IL – In the previous two games the Chicago Blackhawks have looked uninspired. In back to back games on October 14 and October 15, the Hawks suffered a 3-0 loss to Philadelphia followed by a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals.

Saturday night t...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comHAWKS FLATLINING EARLY ON

WHY CUBS WILL WIN TUESDAY at Cubsquest.com

20 October:

There comes a time when it isn"t always about the hottest pitchers, the top sluggers or even the best team. It comes down to who WANTS to win more than the other guy.

The Mets are fired up. They have, and have had, the best pitching staff not only this year but on any team in a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWHY CUBS WILL WIN TUESDAY

CUB NOTES 19 OCTOBER at Cubsquest.com

19 October:

Notes about the Cubs and from around the league:

One man wrecking crew Daniel Murphy has "made himself millions" according to a source close to the Met organization. However they have no plans to bring him back other than meet his option.

He"ll get way more than that from...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB NOTES 19 OCTOBER

Sunday, October 18, 2015

CUBS DROP SECOND TO METS at Cubsquest.com

18 October:

This was about as bad an outcome as could be expected.

Nobody in their right mind thought the trip to New York was going to be a picnic. Nor did anybody expect Jake Arrieta to continue his incredible run of dominance. The Cubs 7-0 record against them was also something that was...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS DROP SECOND TO METS

Saturday, October 17, 2015

CUBS LOSE OPENER TO METS at Cubsquest.com

17 October:

Everyone knew the Cubs weren"t going to win every game.

And that going 7-0 against the Mets was bound to even out. So it did. But what nobody wanted to see was the team play poorly, which they pretty much did.

The score was much closer than the game. Even when it was tied...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS LOSE OPENER TO METS

Thursday, October 15, 2015

CUBS TAKE ON METS IN NLCS at Cubsquest.com

16 October:

It was inevitable.

The mighty had all fallen; the Cardinals, Pirates and now the Dodgers have all fallen by the wayside. The two left standing are clubs few chose to make it this far. A few visionaries picked the Cubs for the post season; Phil Rogers was one.

Cubsquest had...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS TAKE ON METS IN NLCS

BULLS PRE-SEASON TAKING SHAPE at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – Four games down and four to go. After a split of the first four preseason games, the Chicago Bulls look to start sharpening their game as the regular season inches closer.

Two wins and two loses in and it is clear the Bulls are in mid-preseason form, if that’s any indication as t...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBULLS PRE-SEASON TAKING SHAPE

CUB PLAYOFF NOTES at Cubsquest.com

15 October:

Some points of interest:

The signing of Cuban Eddy Julio Martinez announced by the Cubs last week just might be a tad premature. As is often the case with these third world entries, all is not what it seems. Martinez did agree to a $2.5 million contract with the Giants, then...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB PLAYOFF NOTES

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

CUBSQUEST ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS at Cubsquest.com

15 October:

The informed and brilliant readers have asked some questions to which answers are deserved. After all, this entire exercise is aimed at YOU. This isn"t being done for any internal benefit; thousands of hours and dollars have gone into making Cubsquest what it is, and to those who...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBSQUEST ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

CUBS VERSUS DODGERS? OR METS? at Cubsquest.com

14 October:

In the afterglow of the marvelous and generally most excellent victory of the Cubs over the androids from Delos (aka St Louis Cardinals) one can sit back, enjoy a favored beverage of choice, and watch their next victim.

Could it be those overpaid underachievers who ply their...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS VERSUS DODGERS? OR METS?

CUBS BEAT CARDS! ON TO NL CHAMPIONSHIP! at Cubsquest.com

13 October:

In the end it wasn"t a pretty, nor a tidy affair.

But who cares? The Cubs are going to the NL Championship series, and the 100 game winning St Louis Cardinals are going back to stare over the banks of the Mississippi for 6 months and wonder just WHAT went wrong.

They can...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT CARDS! ON TO NL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Monday, October 12, 2015

CUBS BOMB CARDS; LEAD SERIES 2-1 at Cubsquest.com

13 October:

OK. So it wasn"t a Jake Arrieta masterpiece.

The man has been lights out for so long he was due an off night. He had a rare one Monday night.

No matter. With warm winds from the west whipping out at 20 mph the Cubs muscled up for a major league record six home runs in a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BOMB CARDS; LEAD SERIES 2-1

CUTLER LEADS BEARS TO STUNNING COMEBACK WIN at Cubsquest.com

12 October:

It"s not a good day for those who make a living bashing Jay Cutler.

Are you listening Steve Rosenbloom? Or David Kaplan? There are a host of others; he has been a very convenient whipping boy for the media during his tenure as a Bear.

Not to relieve him of any culpability....
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUTLER LEADS BEARS TO STUNNING COMEBACK WIN

GAME ON: ARRIETA TAKES ON WACHA at Cubsquest.com

12 October:

It"s been a long time since a playoff game happened at Wrigley.

And even longer since a marquee match up as anticipated as this one; the 100 game winning Cardinal machine against an incipient Cy Young award winner having the best second half of a season in baseball...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comGAME ON: ARRIETA TAKES ON WACHA

Sunday, October 11, 2015

BEARS AT LIONS: EXPECT A WIN at Cubsquest.com

11 October:

This should be the first good test of the Bear offense.

Kansas City has struggled on defense all season, and the Jay Cutler led offense showed signs of being the juggernaut it could develop into with last week"s victory over the Raiders.

Keep in mind Oakland was 2-1 coming...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS AT LIONS: EXPECT A WIN

Saturday, October 10, 2015

CUBS POUNCE ON CARDS; EVEN SERIES at Cubsquest.com

11 October:

This game would aptly be referred to as "Maddon"s revenge".

The media, particularly the national one, was abuzz all day about how Mike Matheny "schooled" the Cubs Friday night. That Joe Maddon was "outmanaged", and especially the decision to allow Chris Coghlan to face lefty...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS POUNCE ON CARDS; EVEN SERIES

Friday, October 9, 2015

CUBS SPANKED BY CARDS at Cubsquest.com

10 October:

They probably had this one coming.

The Cubs have been basically out of their minds; winning the last nine games in a row. It was not only their best run of the season, it was their best streak in 10 years.

The entire baseball world was in awe of Joe Maddon"s experiment by...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SPANKED BY CARDS

CUBS SIGN CUBAN PROSPECT at Cubsquest.com

 

9 October:

The inside scoop on Eddy Julio Martinez, Cub"s newest prospect.

 

Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 60 | Run: 70 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60

Think a young Andruw Jones. That"s how some scouts have described the 20-year-old center fielder from Cuba. Evaluators like...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SIGN CUBAN PROSPECT

Thursday, October 8, 2015

CUBS LINEUP FOR CARDS SERIES at Cubsquest.com

9 October:

The pitching matchups for the series have been announced.

They are Jon Lester vs John Lackey Friday, Kyle Hendricks against Jaime Garcia Saturday, Jake Arrieta takes on Michael Wacha on the home opener Monday, and then Lance Lynn will go against Jason Hammel on...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS LINEUP FOR CARDS SERIES

CUBS-CARDS: AS GOOD AS IT GETS at Cubsquest.com

8 October:

This is the baseball equivalent of the Bears playing the Packers for the championship.

True, it"s yet another step; the winner plays the victor of the Dodger-Mets series. But for sheer drama, fan passion and nationwide awareness this rivals the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry that is...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS-CARDS: AS GOOD AS IT GETS

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

CUBS WIN! ARRIETA SHUTS OUT CRYBABY PIRATES at Cubsquest.com

8 October:

It was the game Cub fans expected.

A Jake Arrieta complete game shutout. An excellent conclusion but not a total surprise. How they got there is another story altogether.

The pressure was all on Pittsburgh. This was there third consecutive trip to the Wild Card, and they came...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN! ARRIETA SHUTS OUT CRYBABY PIRATES

CUBS-PIRATES: WHAT TO EXPECT at Cubsquest.com

7 October: 11:45 am

7  hours and counting.

First of all, let"s make one thing perfectly clear. The Cub playoff games of the last decade are utterly relegated to the dustbin of history.  So is the 5-13 record.

That isn"t just bad. That is awful in a historic sense. That"s .380 b...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS-PIRATES: WHAT TO EXPECT

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

YANKEES AND ASTROS IN SNOOZEFEST at Cubsquest.com

7 October:

The guy in the photograph was watching the game while waiting to take off Tuesday night. Can"t blame him.

Yes, the playoffs are here. It seems somewhat regrettable that one has to sit through a Yankee/Astro exercise in somnambulism first, then again maybe it"s a blessing in...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comYANKEES AND ASTROS IN SNOOZEFEST

Monday, October 5, 2015

CUB LINEUP FOR PLAYOFF; ANALYZED at Cubsquest.com

7 October:

The inside scoop has the Cub"s starting lineup as more or less set; Joe Maddon knew who he wanted to go with as early as last week, and has simply been toying with position flexibility.

This is what is most likely the starting eight. 1) Fowler CF 2) Schwarber RF 3) Bryant 3B 4)...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB LINEUP FOR PLAYOFF; ANALYZED

Sunday, October 4, 2015

CUBS SWEEP; 97 WINS AND OFF TO PITTSBURGH at Cubsquest.com

5 October:

A collective exhale can be emitted.

It"s not that the Cubs weren"t going to play in the postseason; that"s been a fait accompli" for weeks. The only real drama would be will the Cardinals and Pirates hang on?

They did. There is little doubt that the resurgent Chicago Cubs lit ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEEP; 97 WINS AND OFF TO PITTSBURGH

BEARS GET FIRST WIN; BEAT OAKLAND at Cubsquest.com

4 October:

It was an ugly affair at Soldier Field.

This is where the old axiom, "Id rather win ugly than lose pretty" comes true in spades. This was a game the Bears absolutely HAD to win. Most analysts, including Cubsquest, think the team better than their 0-3 start.

They are. But you...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS GET FIRST WIN; BEAT OAKLAND

Saturday, October 3, 2015

CUBS WIN #96; BEAT BREWERS at Cubsquest.com

4 October:

It was about as undramatic as a 1-0 game ever gets, at least for awhile.

Then it came apparent that the Cincinnati Reds were going to snap their 13 game losing streak and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, which they ended up doing. Now, all of a sudden, the razor thin lead became...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN #96; BEAT BREWERS

Friday, October 2, 2015

CUBS SPANK BREWERS FOR WIN #95 at Cubsquest.com

3 October:

The playoff tuneup continues.

It"s a strange feeling watching games that mean little -sure they COULD wrest that home field advantage away from Pittsburgh, but it is pretty unlikely. After staking themselves to a 4-0 lead, the Reds, losers of 12 in a row, are now deadlocked in a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SPANK BREWERS FOR WIN #95

Thursday, October 1, 2015

CUBS FINISH SWEEP OF REDS; 94th WIN at Cubsquest.com

1 October:

At least the Reds tried to make a game of it.

The Cubs could use a challenge; they are going to go right from the 12 losses in a row Reds club to the 22 games under Milwaukee ball club. One hopes the Brewers actually show up for the series and a best case scenario with the Reds...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS FINISH SWEEP OF REDS; 94th WIN

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS; CUB PLAYOFF PUSH at Cubsquest.com

1 October:

This is truly Twilight Zone time for the Cubs.

They are laying out a string of baseball games that mean nothing, the postseason is more or less set, with the only minute possibility a Pirate visit to Wrigley rather than the other way around. The Cubs are basically injury free,...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comNO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS; CUB PLAYOFF PUSH

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

CUBS SMOTHER REDS FOR 93rd WIN at Cubsquest.com

30 September:

The strangeness that is the 2015 Chicago Cubs continues.

They continue to steamroll meaningless games while having auditions they didn"t dream of back in Mesa. Tuesday night it was Kris Bryant playing four positions while Travis Wood closed.

Wednesday it was Javier Baez at...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SMOTHER REDS FOR 93rd WIN

MADDON EXPERIMENTS; CUBS STILL WIN at Cubsquest.com

30 September:

This is new territory for Cub fans.

Not only are the years of losing over, but now one has the interesting spectacle of watching manager Joe Maddon toy with his lineup and pitching staff in preparation for the all important appointment with destiny on October 7th.

While...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comMADDON EXPERIMENTS; CUBS STILL WIN

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

CUB PLAYOFF NOTES at Cubsquest.com

29 September:

As predicted by Cubsquest, the Cards-Pirates series was not only intense; it did give the Cards the win they pretty much needed to hold onto first, but it had the injury one sees in such contests.

Outfielders Peter Bourjos collided with Stephen Piscotty, and as luck would...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB PLAYOFF NOTES

Monday, September 28, 2015

CUBS BEAT ROYAL IN WALKOFF FASHION at Cubsquest.com

29 September:

It was a strange game.

Playing the AL Champion Royals in a one game make up in late September when both teams are playoff bound is surreal in the extreme to begin with.

Then add to it that the Cubs really don"t need to win any more games.

Nor do the Royals. They"ve...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT ROYAL IN WALKOFF FASHION

CUBS TAKE ON KC: WHY IT IS, AND ISN"T IMPORTANT at Cubsquest.com

28 September:

A few weeks ago this game seemed really important.

It still is, only in a different context. The Cubs are really no longer in the race for a different spot in the Division sweeps; that is now a contest between St Louis and Pittsburgh, and it will be both entertaining and...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS TAKE ON KC: WHY IT IS, AND ISN"T IMPORTANT

Sunday, September 27, 2015

CUBS, ARRIETA BEAT BUCS FOR WIN #90 at Cubsquest.com

28 September:

It may not have meant much but it said a lot.

The Pirates really needed this game. The Cubs, not so much. Pittsburgh still has a shot at St Louis for the Division title. After losing the first game the Cubs were basically out of the race for the #1 Wild Card slot.

The ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS, ARRIETA BEAT BUCS FOR WIN #90

CUBS CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT at Cubsquest.com

27 September:

The party must have been a doozy.

Hope the hangover(s) aren"t too intense; one suspects someone like Jake Arrieta allowed himself an allotted amount of time to indulge before getting right back on his routine.

First of all, congratulations to Tom Ricketts.

Success...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT

Friday, September 25, 2015

CUBS LOSE TO GERRITT; PIRATES at Cubsquest.com

26 September:

OK Cub fans. Take a chill pill.

You"re team is playing the best of the best. The battle tested Pittsburgh Pirate team is no pushover; although they do have a losing record within their own division. However, they beat the living snot out of everyone else.

This game"s...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS LOSE TO GERRITT; PIRATES

Thursday, September 24, 2015

CUBS VS. PIRATES: WHAT TO EXPECT at Cubsquest.com

25 September:

Crunch time is officially here.

The Cubs won their playoff spot in August. They put away San Francisco and Washington to lock up the #2 Wild Card slot, and made a spirited attack at the two front runners. To the extent that they ended up outplaying both of them in the most...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS VS. PIRATES: WHAT TO EXPECT

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

CUBS DROP FINALE TO BREWERS at Cubsquest.com

24 September:

There was one revealing moment in Wednesday"s Cub-Brewer contest.

Brewer pitcher Zach Davies faced Cub right fielder Jorge Soler. The local announcing crew looked on in amazement. Davies, generously listed at 6 feet and 160, and at 22 looking far more like 15, squared off...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS DROP FINALE TO BREWERS

CUB PLAYOFF NOTES 23 SEPTEMBER at Cubsquest.com

23 September:

First of all a moment of silence for the passing of one of baseball"s greats, Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra.

Not only a great baseball player; he batted .285 with 358 home runs over 19 seasons, he was one of the true great  characters of all time. His malapropisms -murdering of ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB PLAYOFF NOTES 23 SEPTEMBER

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

CUBS WIN, ARRIETA WINS HIS 20TH at Cubsquest.com

22 September:

The Brewers were supposed to lay down and die.

They threw Tyler Cravy against them, who came in winless for the year at 0-7. He left the park 0-8, but except for 93 mph 4-seamer that caught just a little too much of the plate that Kris Bryant launched into the stands for his...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN, ARRIETA WINS HIS 20TH

CUB PLAYOFF NOTES at Cubsquest.com

22 September:

With the magic number down to three, Cubsquest has decided to give our readers a daily column of notes, observations and things of interest from around the league. Things that might impact the team in their postseason quest for the title.

One thing that directly affects the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB PLAYOFF NOTES

DA BEARS: WHAT"S RIGHT, AND WHAT"S WRONG at Cubsquest.com

22 September:

So far the predictions of doom and gloom made -gleefully- by the local media have been borne out. The Bears are off to a rough start.

But have they been THAT bad?

Yes and no.

The Green Bay game hinged on 2 plays; John Fox"s decision to go for a TD rather than take a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comDA BEARS: WHAT"S RIGHT, AND WHAT"S WRONG

CUB PLAYOFF ROSTER: A PREVIEW at Cubsquest.com

22 September:

Seeing that it"s a fait accompli" that the Cubs will make the postseason; speculating on their moves is not an exercise in bad luck. They WILL win four more games.

That said, let"s take a look at the roster and see who comes, and who goes.

Pitchers:

The locks: Jake ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB PLAYOFF ROSTER: A PREVIEW

CUBS POUND BREWERS at Cubsquest.com

22 September:

The Cubs got just the tonic they needed Monday night.

A crippled Milwaukee Brewer team came in, right on the heels of the intense Cardinal series, and offered some tasty pitches and some bad hitting to a very flat Cub team.

The result was a 9-5 victory. Nothing to write...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS POUND BREWERS

Sunday, September 20, 2015

CARDS AVOID SWEEP; LESTER, CUBS LOSE at Cubsquest.com

21 September:

It was all over early.

A flat Jon Lester and a shaky defense was attacked early by a fired up Cardinal offense, and by the bottom of the first it was already 3-0.

Lester got a couple of BP quality fastballs up, and Tommy Pham and Stephen Piscotty didn"t miss them, hitting...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCARDS AVOID SWEEP; LESTER, CUBS LOSE

Saturday, September 19, 2015

CUBS WIN WILD ONE AT WRIGLEY at Cubsquest.com

19 September:

Get ready for more days like this.

Welcome to pennant run baseball; something the Chicago Cub fans only know of on the periphery. Although they fielded a couple of one and done Division Champs under Lou Piniella, the last real run was 2003.

Which will forever be known as...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN WILD ONE AT WRIGLEY

CUBS MAKE CARDS LOOK BAD; WIN OPENER at Cubsquest.com

19 September:

You knew at some point it would come to this.

The sorry ass Cub teams of the past are no more. They are now one of the hottest teams in baseball, if not yet the best.  They are perhaps the most dangerous club, now.

They can stack a lineup. This is a new, and quite welcome, ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS MAKE CARDS LOOK BAD; WIN OPENER

Friday, September 18, 2015

CUBS TAKE ON CARDS IN CRITICAL SERIES at Cubsquest.com

18 September:

After the terrific series win in Pittsburgh the Cubs return home Friday to take on their epic rivals, the St Louis Cardinals.

Three day games; the way baseball was meant to be played, in front of packed houses. Meanwhile, The Pirates have to travel to Los Angeles and face...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS TAKE ON CARDS IN CRITICAL SERIES

Thursday, September 17, 2015

CUBS BEAT PIRATES; TAKE SERIES at Cubsquest.com

17 September:

This was perhaps the biggest series victory of the year.

The Cubs not only proved they can hang with the Pirates, they showed that they"re better. The Pirates played hard, but not particularly smart, and their porous defense was once again an issue. With the expanded rosters ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT PIRATES; TAKE SERIES

CUBS COME UP HUGE IN EXTRAS; BEAT BUCS at Cubsquest.com

17 September:

This one was BIG.

As Cubsquest has pointed out all week long, the Cubs needed to at least split the series with Pittsburgh. They accomplished that -no small feat, indeed- in a 12 inning, 4 hour and 17 minute game in front of 32,000 fans.

They got to see an exciting game...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS COME UP HUGE IN EXTRAS; BEAT BUCS

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

CUBS SPLIT PAIR WITH BUCS at Cubsquest.com

16 September:

Hopefully the panic of the first loss was ameliorated by the terrific second game.

It is important to remember that all the Cubs really had to do is play a respectable series and come home with a split. Pittsburgh is a good club at home and highly motivated to win.

Gerrit...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SPLIT PAIR WITH BUCS

Sunday, September 13, 2015

CUBS DROP FINAL PAIR IN PHILLY; OFF TO PITTSBURGH at Cubsquest.com

14 September:

First of all an apology to our readers.

Due to an emergency situation the last 36 hours of Chicago sports activity has gone unreported, and even more important, without proper analysis. However, the Cubs losing a pair to a bad Phillie team who beat them 5-2 in their season...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS DROP FINAL PAIR IN PHILLY; OFF TO PITTSBURGH

Friday, September 11, 2015

CUBS SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST PHILS at Cubsquest.com

12 September:

There seems to be one thing missing from this incredible stretch run the Cubs are making. First of all, let"s revel in the sheer numbers. They are 82 and 58.

Cubsquest was more optimistic -no, let"s make that MORE correct- than the other analysts who picked them to win 80...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST PHILS

CUBS PLAY A PAIR IN PHILLY: PREVIEW at Cubsquest.com

9/11:

No date needs less explanation than that; no matter what anyone"s take is on that fateful day 14 years ago the bottom line is 2,996 people lost their lives that day.

In the most horrible and tragic circumstances imaginable.

That said, Benjamin Franklin once admonished the people...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS PLAY A PAIR IN PHILLY: PREVIEW

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

CARDS COME BACK AGAINST CUB BULLPEN at Cubsquest.com

10 September:

This was a tougher loss than you might think.

Those who would say "well, we took 2 out of 3, and that"s good enough" are totally Pollyanna"s missing the point. This was a "gut check" game for both teams. Most were concerned with Jon Lester and his famous case of the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCARDS COME BACK AGAINST CUB BULLPEN

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

CUBS BEAT CARDS AGAIN; 6 1/2 GAMES OUT at Cubsquest.com

9 September:

There is an old expression.

"I"d rather be lucky than good". That old sop works even better when you"re both, and that fits the Cubs right now. They are not only playing well, but are getting some breaks that they did NOT see earlier this season.

Like catching the team with...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT CARDS AGAIN; 6 1/2 GAMES OUT

Monday, September 7, 2015

CUBS WIN; CARDS LOSE SECOND IN A ROW 9-0 at Cubsquest.com

8 September:

The Cards were bound to give some back.

And boy, did they. For the second game in a row they got trounced by the same identical score, 9-0. Both times at home; Sunday it was their immediate foes the Pirates, and on Labor Day the next pretender in line to the throne, The Cubs,...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN; CARDS LOSE SECOND IN A ROW 9-0

CUBS/CARDS PREVIEW at Cubsquest.com

7 September:

The rubber officially hits the road today.

The very nice run the Cubs had is history; like the Allied forces sweeping through France in 1944 only to be counterattacked in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.

Not saying anything quite that drastic will occur.

It"s just...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS/CARDS PREVIEW

Sunday, September 6, 2015

CUBS SWEEP ARIZONA -CARDINALS NEXT at Cubsquest.com

7 September:

You have to give Joe Maddon"s Cubs credit.

They are stockpiling wins against second division clubs like it"s no ones business. The sheer number of sweeps this season; the most in a generation has fattened up their record and put them in good stead for a post season...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEEP ARIZONA -CARDINALS NEXT

Saturday, September 5, 2015

CUBS, ARRIETA BLANK D"BACKS at Cubsquest.com

5 September:

You just knew after 19 runs were scored Friday that Saturday"s game would be low scoring.

It was. And you most likely felt that Jake Arrieta would still somehow sail to his 18th victory.

He did that, too. Isn"t it nice that the Cubs are predictably good, now? As opposed to...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS, ARRIETA BLANK D"BACKS

Friday, September 4, 2015

CUBS BLOW OUT DIAMONDBACKS at Cubsquest.com

5 August:

Baseball is a game of match ups.

Sometimes they"re tough; demanding. Sometimes, well, not so much. A Cub team smelling a rare shot at a post season berth was served up a struggling Diamondback club minus their star player and starting a rookie pitcher against them.

Not just...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BLOW OUT DIAMONDBACKS

THE ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS at Cubsquest.com

4 September:

First of all, let"s look at the positive.

It"s Labor Day weekend -and by the way, have a great one- and Cub fans can still be excited about baseball instead of doing the "wait "til next year" rumba.

The schedule, as you all pretty well know by now, is brutal. They have the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comTHE ROAD TO THE PLAYOFFS

Thursday, September 3, 2015

CUBSQUEST READERS SPEAK at Cubsquest.com

3 September:

Cubsquest has received queries from our Brilliant and Informed readers, and they fit a pattern that should be broadly addressed.

The first, and most consistent, question is why is it the articles aren"t more supportive of the organization?

Theo Epstein is viewed with a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBSQUEST READERS SPEAK

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

CUBS LOSE HEARTBREAKER at Cubsquest.com

2 September:

This one hurt.

In a long season you will win ugly and lose pretty. And at the end you add them up and hope you have enough in the plus column to get you to The Dance.

The Cubs have won in just about every conceivable fashion this year; their 12 walk off wins -which lead the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS LOSE HEARTBREAKER

SEPTEMBER CALL UPS: HOW THEY PROJECT at Cubsquest.com

2 September:

Crunch time, as they call it, is officially here.

The Cubs have a real shot at a post season run. While they are currently sitting pretty, it"s no guarantee. The organization knows this, and that"s why the roster moves are being shaped by immediate needs. No more coddling...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comSEPTEMBER CALL UPS: HOW THEY PROJECT

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

CUBS BEAT REDS IN MUST WIN GAME at Cubsquest.com

2 September:

OK, so maybe a "must win" is a bit of an exaggeration.

Not much, though. They lose this game, and you take Jake "All America" Arrieta out of the equation and you have an 8 game losing streak.

The Cincinnati Reds came and played hard. Anthony DeSclafani flashed that killer...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT REDS IN MUST WIN GAME

Monday, August 31, 2015

CUBS GET SPANKED BY REDS at Cubsquest.com

1 September:

The Jake Arrieta no hitter didn"t have a lot of fallout to it after all.

The Cubs, fresh off of a road trip that Arrieta himself saved from disaster, came in at 6 am Monday morning. Everyone now knows about the "onesies" they wore. Joe Maddon, Zen master he is, knows how to...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS GET SPANKED BY REDS

CUBS PART WAYS WITH MIKE OLT at Cubsquest.com

1 September:

It ended up with a whimper.

The Cubs announced, almost as an afterthought, that infielder Mike Olt had been designated for assignment as a result of obtaining outfielder Austin Jackson from Seattle for cash considerations and the proverbial player to be named later.

Mike...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS PART WAYS WITH MIKE OLT

CUB NEWS AND RUMORS 31 AUGUST at Cubsquest.com

31 August:

In the aftermath of Jake Arrieta"s magnificent performance Sunday night there is the obvious speculation in the media about his future. The media, most of whom have done nothing more than balance a checkbook in their lives, love to see the franchise spend like drunken sailors on...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB NEWS AND RUMORS 31 AUGUST

Sunday, August 30, 2015

ARRIETA THROWS NO HITTER! at Cubsquest.com

31 August:

This was a game the Cubs desperately needed. Having lost four in a row, and with the Giants nipping at their heels that was never in question.

The Cubs had their best pitcher on the mound, too. And he"s been the best pitcher in the majors for the last month; going 5-0 with a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comARRIETA THROWS NO HITTER!

BEARS LOSE TO BENGALS at Cubsquest.com

30 August:

The Bears had their first reality gut check of the preseason, and it was a mixed bag.

Once again, there were no turnovers. Ball control is being stressed, as is the nascent ground game, and so far so good on that. However, injuries to the wide receiver corps put the team in a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS LOSE TO BENGALS

Saturday, August 29, 2015

CUBS, LESTER LOSE TO DODGERS at Cubsquest.com

30 August:

You never really thought the baseball gods would allow the Cubs to beat the Dodgers at home on a balk, did you?

It is a pretty pathetic way to both win,  and lose, a baseball game. But it did hold up for quite awhile, until the 7th inning when the combination of a pitcher who ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS, LESTER LOSE TO DODGERS

Friday, August 28, 2015

CUBS LOSE TO LA; KERSHAW at Cubsquest.com

28 August:

It wasn"t like nobody saw this coming.

In fact, the whole baseball universe thought the Cubs might keep it close, but nary a soul really expected the Cubs and Jason Hammel to beat the just pennies shy of $300 million LA Dodger payroll with ace Clayton Kershaw on the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS LOSE TO LA; KERSHAW

Thursday, August 27, 2015

CUBS LOSE TO GIANTS AGAIN at Cubsquest.com

28 August:

Did anyone out there really think Dan Haren would beat Madison Bumgarner at home in a do or die game for San Francisco?

Come on. It was always wishful thinking.

Not that it couldn"t happen; the 2015 Cubs are a crazy dangerous team managed by a near genius. No club wants to ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS LOSE TO GIANTS AGAIN

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

CUBS FINALLY LOSE TO GIANTS at Cubsquest.com

27 August:

You can"t win them all.

It is the oldest axiom is sports; one can imagine one lion consoling another after a Christian killed one of their mates in the Coliseum several thousand years ago.

"Tough break for old Leo", he purred to the other. "But it was 900 to nothing before...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS FINALLY LOSE TO GIANTS

S. I. COVER "JINX" EXPLAINED at Cubsquest.com

26 August:

Much has been made of something called the "Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx".

It doesn"t take much in the way of critical thinking to expose this as no "jinx" at all. First of all, what they are chronicling is a sporting phenomenon of some sort. It can be anything.

When it"s a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comS. I. COVER "JINX" EXPLAINED

CASTRO, SOLER, BAEZ AND OTHER BITS at Cubsquest.com

26 August:

Some ruminations of the world of Cubdom, which for once is now a pretty good place to be.

Cubsquest weighed in with the observation that the team would not only not miss Jorge Soler but would be better for it. Now, this calculation was not based on his long term promise, which...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCASTRO, SOLER, BAEZ AND OTHER BITS

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

CUBS SPANK GIANTS AGAIN at Cubsquest.com

26 August:

It was supposed to be a close game. On paper, anyway.

Matt Cain, who owned a 4-0 record at home against the Cubs going against Cub ace, and Cy Young front runner Jake Arrieta. Most would have guessed a nail biter.

The only nails being bitten were by Giants manager Bruce...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SPANK GIANTS AGAIN

CUBS VS GIANTS: WHAT TO EXPECT at Cubsquest.com

25 August:

This should be a scary series.

The Cubs going to play the World Champion San Francisco Giants at AT&T park. Easily the most beautiful park in the majors, with an incredible loyal fan base, it is a huge home field advantage.

The Cubs have historically not played very well...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS VS GIANTS: WHAT TO EXPECT

Monday, August 24, 2015

CUBS WIN ON BRYANT WALKOFF HOMER at Cubsquest.com

24 August:

It was a battle between a couple of titans of the mound.

Last year"s AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber against Cub ace Jon Lester. And it was as good as advertised. Kluber pitched the first five innings of perfect baseball with 9 strikeouts. He ended up with 7 2/3 innings of 4...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN ON BRYANT WALKOFF HOMER

SOLER AND MOTTE TO DL; LA STELLA ROSSCUP UP at Cubsquest.com

24 August:

The Cubs announced that both Jorge Soler and Jason Motte will be put on the DL with a strained oblique and strained shoulder, respectively, as per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.

Soler could be out a month.

In their place Tommy LaStella makes his long awaited return, and Zac...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comSOLER AND MOTTE TO DL; LA STELLA ROSSCUP UP

Sunday, August 23, 2015

CUBS SWEEP BRAVES at Cubsquest.com

24 August:

You can stop pinching yourself.

It"s the end of August and the Cubs are now 20 games over .500. That"s not just wild card good; that"s division winning good. Maybe not in the National League Central, which sports the best overall winning percentages of any other division in the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEEP BRAVES

NEW BLOOD, KANE ALLEGATIONS, CLOUD HAWKS PRESEASON at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL –On September 22, Chicago will suit up to play the long-time rivals Detroit Red Wings in the preseason opener at the United Center. Though the Hawks still have some last minute adjustments to personnel, the team is ready to brandish its new look.

The team that took the ice against ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comNEW BLOOD, KANE ALLEGATIONS, CLOUD HAWKS PRESEASON

BEARS WIN AGAIN at Cubsquest.com

23 August:

Sure it preseason.

And yes, it"s only 2 games. Small sample size as they say. But an emerging story is now evident; the 2015 Chicago Bears are a different animal from last year.

The soft and cuddly bruins, coddled by a kind but clueless coaching staff played a nice bump and...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS WIN AGAIN

Saturday, August 22, 2015

CUBS BEAT BRAVES IN WILD ONE at Cubsquest.com

23 August:

Just as we got done pointing out the "addition through subtraction" argument the benefit makes a stunning display.

Getting Starlin Castro out of the starting lineup was the first accomplishment. They"ve done nothing but win since he has ridden the pines. Before that it was...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT BRAVES IN WILD ONE

JUST HOW GOOD ARE THE CUBS? at Cubsquest.com

22 August:

Several things are becoming clear as far as the Chicago Cub baseball franchise goes.

Number one, and most important, is the simple fact that they aren"t going away. Barring any unforeseen misfortunes, this team will stay in the hunt right down to the wire. This is the very best...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comJUST HOW GOOD ARE THE CUBS?

Friday, August 21, 2015

CUBS BEAT BRAVES AGAIN at Cubsquest.com

21 August:

How does the old saying go?

"Id rather be lucky than good"? That could be the Cub mantra right now, particularly after the tornado from Detroit ripped through Wrigley Field leaving a trail of carnage. A perfectly awful Atlanta team was just the tonic the Cubs needed.

The two...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT BRAVES AGAIN

WHAT DO THE CUBS NEEDS TO WIN? at Cubsquest.com

21 August:

The truth is out. The Cubs are now for real.

They have just enough talent to keep an extended losing streak at bay. There are just enough weak teams on the rest of the schedule that as long as they more or less hold their own they have an excellent shot at that second wild card...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWHAT DO THE CUBS NEEDS TO WIN?

Thursday, August 20, 2015

CUBS, ARRIETA BEAT BRAVES at Cubsquest.com

20 August:

The Cubs needed a tonic, and got one.

After getting thoroughly spanked by the Detroit Tigers, who showed the Cubs to be pretty much what they are, they needed a break. The Atlanta Braves, sporting a woeful record of 53-68, turned out to be just the ticket.

They fed a rookie...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS, ARRIETA BEAT BRAVES

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

CUBS BEAT UP BY TIGERS AGAIN at Cubsquest.com

19 August:

Cub skipper Joe Maddon summed it up succinctly.

"I"m just glad it wasn"t a THREE game series" he said after the Cubs second shellacking at the hands of the Detroit Tigers. The 11 homers they allowed over the last three games were the most since 1955.

That"s a long time ago....
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT UP BY TIGERS AGAIN

CUB RUMORS 19 AUGUST at Cubsquest.com

19 August:

The Chase Utley situation has resolved itself; the Dodgers acquired the Phillie second baseman for two prospects and picking up $2 million of his contract. He will get the constant playing time he requested there.

Utley, 36, isn"t ready to be a platoon player yet. He wants a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB RUMORS 19 AUGUST

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

CUBS CRAWL BACK BUT LOSE TO DETROIT at Cubsquest.com

19 August:

Calling Bob Costas.

Supposedly he "misread" Pedro Strop"s performance against St Louis where he blew a game and then pumped his chest, pointed to the sky and whatever other gesticulations he does. He had a similar occurrence in Tuesday"s rain soaked 6 hour affair.

Although to...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS CRAWL BACK BUT LOSE TO DETROIT

CUBS TAKE ON DETROIT: PREVIEW at Cubsquest.com

18 August:

The Cubs and Jason Hammel take on the Detroit Tigers Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. Weather permitting, of course; there is a 70% chance of rain after 7 pm according to the national weather service.

Expect the game to be played, though. Could be both a wet one and a long...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS TAKE ON DETROIT: PREVIEW

Sunday, August 16, 2015

CUBS RUN INTO CHRIS SALE BUZZSAW; STREAK ENDS at Cubsquest.com

16 August:

In gambling they call games like this "ranch plays".

Meaning if you"re down, you can "bet the ranch" on this and pretty much guarantee an outcome. Sox ace Chris Sale, at home, after losing the first two games against their crosstown rivals the Cubs.

Add to it the soft tossing...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS RUN INTO CHRIS SALE BUZZSAW; STREAK ENDS

Saturday, August 15, 2015

CUBS BEAT SOX AGAIN, 9TH IN A ROW at Cubsquest.com

16 August:

It was an ugly game.

But you have to win the ugly ones as well, and the woefully underachieving White Sox franchise simply cannot stop a far more talented bu equally sloppy Cub team.

There was enough bad play from both teams to last a month.

Throwing errors, hit batsmen,...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT SOX AGAIN, 9TH IN A ROW

CHICAGO THE BEAUTIFUL at Cubsquest.com

15 August:

This is the weekend of the Chicago Air and Water show, and it"s a terrific summer weekend.

Nice and hot. Good time to be on, or near the water. Particularly the beautiful clean water of Lake Michigan, and after the stirring performance of the US Navy Blue Angels on Friday, the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCHICAGO THE BEAUTIFUL

Friday, August 14, 2015

CUBS BEAT SOX FOR 8TH IN A ROW at Cubsquest.com

14 August:

The trip to the south side of Chicago did nothing to slow down the Cub express, which is not to be confused with the CTA Green Line.

It is now mostly referred to as the "Kyle Schwarber Express", which is fairly accurate. The local media is still obsessed, strangely, with Starlin...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT SOX FOR 8TH IN A ROW

CUBS VS. SOX: WHAT TO EXPECT at Cubsquest.com

14 August:

First of all, one thing is for certain. The Cubs won"t win every game left this season.

The team has 65 wins. They have 48 games left. If they play a tick over .500 they win 90 games. They should play at least that well barring any late season fold. The team is actually pretty...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS VS. SOX: WHAT TO EXPECT

Thursday, August 13, 2015

BEARS SURPRISE DOLPHINS AND CRITICS; WIN BIG at Cubsquest.com

13 August:

The biggest "duh" prediction by anyone who knows anything is that the Bears would be better this year.

Last year was a miserable combination of key injuries, bad coaches making terrible decisions, and players as a result playing well below their skill sets.

The ownership took...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBEARS SURPRISE DOLPHINS AND CRITICS; WIN BIG

CUBS SWEEP HOMESTAND; TEAM IS ON FIRE at Cubsquest.com

13 August:

Winning is, like losing, contagious.

It is infinitely more pleasurable, however, and the Chicago Cubs and their legion of fans seem to be enjoying it. As they should.

This is the best stretch of baseball they have played since 2001, when people still used DOS on their CRT...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEEP HOMESTAND; TEAM IS ON FIRE

CUB MINOR LEAGUE HELP: AN ASSESSMENT at Cubsquest.com

13 August:

Let"s take a look at who the Cubs will most likely call up, and how they"ll help. Starting with the most obvious, which is the infield.

Mike Olt:

Being the oldest, most experienced, and ablest defender, he is going to be the first one called.  He, too, has cooled off ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB MINOR LEAGUE HELP: AN ASSESSMENT

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

CUBS WIN 6TH IN A ROW; 16 GAMES OVER at Cubsquest.com

12 August:

Talk about a roll.

6 in a row, 9 out of their last 10, 12 out of the last 13. That"s the textbook definition of "hot", and right now they are scary hot. The feel "unbeatable" as Wednesday night hero Miguel Montero said after his clutch 10th inning walk off homer.

The Cubs...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN 6TH IN A ROW; 16 GAMES OVER

CASTRO CONTROVERSY UPDATED at Cubsquest.com

12 August:

It seems Starlin Castro has seen the handwriting on the wall.

His newly found "display of maturity"; compliment in no small order to agent Paul Kinzer, has him becoming the poster child for the good teammate. He doesn"t care where he plays, he just wants the team to...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCASTRO CONTROVERSY UPDATED

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

CUBS BEAT BREWERS; TEAM IS ON A ROLL at Cubsquest.com

11 August:

The baseball gods are now smiling upon the Chicago Cubs.

They are getting the breaks, matching up against teams either out of the race and rebuilding, or not putting their best club out there. The Giants made a rare tactical miscalculation; they didn"t think they needed Madison...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT BREWERS; TEAM IS ON A ROLL

CUB RUMORS 11 AUGUST at Cubsquest.com

11 August:

As the Cubs prepare for their series against the Brewers, and Joe Maddon won"t let them look past it in anticipation of the Pirates, either, a few points of interest:

Chase Utley. The Yankees, Giants and Cubs are all interested in the Phillie infielder, and all had scouts at...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB RUMORS 11 AUGUST

Monday, August 10, 2015

PURSUING THE PLAYOFFS: WHAT"S NEXT? at Cubsquest.com

10 August:

The Chicago Cubs are in undiscovered country as far as the current ownership goes.

Ever since the Ricketts family bought the Cubs from Sam Zell and the Tribune Corp., it has been an ugly spectacle with very promising undertones.

The product on the major league field has been...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comPURSUING THE PLAYOFFS: WHAT"S NEXT?

Sunday, August 9, 2015

CUBS SWEEP WORLD CHAMPION GIANTS at Cubsquest.com

10 August:

What a difference a week or so can make.

The Cubs, scuffling offensively after the break, seemed to be a day late and a dollar short as far as playoff contenders go. But once again, they went to the Kyle Schwarber bank.

The last explosion of offense was when he was brought up...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEEP WORLD CHAMPION GIANTS

CASTRO: AN UPDATE at Cubsquest.com

9 August:

The truth is now out there.

In spite of media efforts to soften the blow, the situation between Cub shortstop Starlin Castro and the front office is creeping into acrimony.

The immediate claims that "he understood" his demotion -and it was made clear that this is exactly what...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCASTRO: AN UPDATE

Saturday, August 8, 2015

CUBS WIN AGAIN; 9-1 OUT OF LAST 10 at Cubsquest.com

9 August:

OK. You can now say it. They are officially "hot".

It is mid August and the Cubs are on a roll. The hottest team in the league, having won 9 out of their last 10 games. Against some pretty good teams, too.

They are serious about winning, for the first time of the Theo Epstein...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN AGAIN; 9-1 OUT OF LAST 10

Friday, August 7, 2015

"CRUNCH TIME", INDEED: CUBS BEAT GIANTS AGAIN at Cubsquest.com

7 August:

Former Cub reliever Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams had an expression for how he pitched.

He said, famously, that he "pitched like his hair was on fire". Cub manager Joe Maddon manages the same way. One wonders if he"s heard that phrase.

The Cubs, now officially "hot". Winners of...
Check it out at Cubsquest.com"CRUNCH TIME", INDEED: CUBS BEAT GIANTS AGAIN

Thursday, August 6, 2015

CASTRO: HOW MUCH ROPE IS LEFT? at Cubsquest.com

7 August:

Starlin Castro.

How much time is left for him to continue starting at short? He went 0 for 4 Thursday night and stranded 6 runners. He"s hitting .236 with an anemic .271 OBP.

He has only 18 walks in 411 at bats. He has 4 stolen bases, with just as many caught stealing.

He...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCASTRO: HOW MUCH ROPE IS LEFT?

CUBS BEAT GIANTS; LEAD IN WILD CARD RACE at Cubsquest.com

7 August:

The Cubs struck early, and held on for 7 innings to win a 5-4 squeaker over the reigning World Champion Giants. A two run single by Jorge Soler in the first, and a three run homer by Kyle Schwarber in the second was just enough to get it done.

The Giants answered with a pair of...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT GIANTS; LEAD IN WILD CARD RACE

CUBS VS GIANTS: WHAT TO EXPECT at Cubsquest.com

6 August:

It"s crunch time for the Cubs.

They have an extended period -19 days- at home, and even with the Giants in town, they will miss Madison Bumgarner for the series, and not have to face all-world catcher Buster Posey Thursday night.

Manager Bruce Bochy plans on resting his...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS VS GIANTS: WHAT TO EXPECT

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

CUBS DROP ONE IN PITTSBURGH at Cubsquest.com

6 August:

It was always going to be a tough game.

The Cubs, winner of 6 in a row, including a rare 4 game sweep of a team on the road, beat a listless Pirate club Tuesday night. You sort of knew that the Bucs would be up for this one.

They certainly were.

The Cubs played OK; new...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS DROP ONE IN PITTSBURGH

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

CUBS BEAT BUCS FOR 6TH IN A ROW at Cubsquest.com

5 August:

It was supposed to be a marquee game; so much on the line for both clubs.

After Monday"s rainout, this series with the Cub"s rivals for the wild card was supposed to be intense. Whatever occurred last evening might have taken some wind out of the sails of the Pirates.

It"s not...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT BUCS FOR 6TH IN A ROW

CUBS, BUCS RAINED OUT at Cubsquest.com

4 August:

The "weather gods" decided there would be no baseball at PNC park Monday night.

After 2 lengthy delays, one for 2 hours and another for an hour and twenty minutes. Finally, at midnight Pittsburgh time, crew chief Paul Nauert pulled the plug and the game was called.

During the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS, BUCS RAINED OUT

Monday, August 3, 2015

THE BASEBALL GODS EXPLAINED at Cubsquest.com

4 August:

Time for a clarification and a little pop culture history.

You have no doubt heard the term "the baseball gods" referred to from time to time. The players, announcers, your loyal Cubsquest staff, those in the know all mention them.

To clarify, it isn"t "pagan...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comTHE BASEBALL GODS EXPLAINED

BULLS QUIET AND STEADY OFFSEASON at Cubsquest.com

TREVOR BLOCK on the BULLS

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Bulls have not had a very loud offseason compared to their conference opponents. Many teams surrounding them have made significant moves to bolster their competitiveness for the 2015-2016 NBA season.

The Bulls are now surrounded by the E...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comBULLS QUIET AND STEADY OFFSEASON

Sunday, August 2, 2015

CUBS SWEEP BREWERS; TIED FOR WILD CARD at Cubsquest.com

3 August:

Guess who is ten games over?

At 57-47, the Chicago Cubs are officially ten games over, which is the rubrick one compares other good teams to. Once you"re there, then you try to play a little over .500 the rest of the way out, picking up a game here or there and finishing with...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEEP BREWERS; TIED FOR WILD CARD

CUBS BEAT BREWERS FOR 4TH IN A ROW at Cubsquest.com

2 August:

The Cubs have made THE transition.

What was a promising young team with an excellent pitching staff and some troubling holes is now a legitimate playoff contender. The Cubs are one game behind the World Champion San Francisco Giants- let that connection roll around in your head...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT BREWERS FOR 4TH IN A ROW

Friday, July 31, 2015

CUBS BEAT BREW CREW AGAIN at Cubsquest.com

1 August:

The day was all about who came, who went and who might go.

However, a game was still played, and the Cubs, still on the edge of a possible wild card spot, won one they needed. The Milwaukee Brewers, who lost a tough one Thursday evening were going to be up for Friday"s...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT BREW CREW AGAIN

CUBS DONE FOR NOW- BUT NOT DONE YET at Cubsquest.com

31 July:

The dust is starting to settle on a frenzied trade deadline day.

Some did much, some little, some nothing. But even those who did little, like the Cubs, of nothing at all, like the San Diego Padres, set up a future set of deals.

For you see, things that might not have...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS DONE FOR NOW- BUT NOT DONE YET

CUBS GET TOMMY HUNTER FROM BRAVES at Cubsquest.com

31 July:

It isn"t just Tommy Hunter, a thoroughly adequate middle innings guy.

It"s that Theo got the Orioles to bite on Junior Lake. Lake, long Cubsquest"s favorite player (not) has provided several of the lowest points ever seen in the Cub"s long history of futility.

They have been...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS GET TOMMY HUNTER FROM BRAVES

DAN HAREN A CUB; 3 TEAM DEAL CLOSE? at Cubsquest.com

31 July:

According to sources including the Chicago Sun Times, Miami Marlins starter (and almost one time Cub) Dan Haren has just been acquired.

This would be the #5 starter issue addressed.

No details are yet available, but one would suspect a low level prospect and cash considerations...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comDAN HAREN A CUB; 3 TEAM DEAL CLOSE?

Thursday, July 30, 2015

RIZZO HOMER DRIVES CUBS OVER BREWERS at Cubsquest.com

31 July:

Jimmy Nelson was sailing along.

7 innings of 2 hit shut out ball. Jake Arrieta was almost as good; he went 6 only allowing a pair of runs. Down 2-0 going into 8th, Dexter Fowler and Addison Russell had singled off of Jeremy Jeffress, who was pulled for Will Smith.

Not the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comRIZZO HOMER DRIVES CUBS OVER BREWERS

CUBS, THEO SILENT- FAN BASE RESTLESS at Cubsquest.com

30 July:

Sure, there"s 24 hours left.

In the wheeler-dealer world of the trading deadline it is an eternity. To an extent. A lot of the more desirable pieces are off the board, though, with Toronto mortgaging their children and their children"s children future to nab David Price.

They...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS, THEO SILENT- FAN BASE RESTLESS

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

COLE HAMELS TRADED TO RANGERS, CUBS SILENT at Cubsquest.com

30 July:

So much for Cole Hamels becoming a Cub.

It was always a long shot, and your loyal Cubsquest staff never expected it, either. They are far more likely they will pursue David Price in the offseason. No guarantees there, either.

The facts are becoming apparent.

This particular...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCOLE HAMELS TRADED TO RANGERS, CUBS SILENT

CUBS BEAT ROCKIES; TAKE SERIES at Cubsquest.com

29 July:

The news out of Wrigley Field is both good, and not so good.

First of all, they won. That"s good, of course, and was necessary as well. It gives them a 2-4 home stand; not good but certainly better than 1-5.

Or 0-6.

It was the $155 million dollar man earning his keep, and...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT ROCKIES; TAKE SERIES

TRADE DEADLINE APPROACHES at Cubsquest.com

29 July:

The success of the Chicago Cub season is now officially up in the air.

With just 2 more days before the August 1st non waiver trade deadline the organization stands at it"s first major crossroads. Teams with worse records than the Cubs are making franchise changing deals; the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comTRADE DEADLINE APPROACHES

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

CUBS PLAY POORLY, LOSE TO COLORADO at Cubsquest.com

29 July:

It"s starting to look like they Cubs were really fortunate to bail out that game Monday night.

They lose that and  it"s 5 in a row. The one thing Joe Maddon has been studiously trying to avoid. Being the seasoned veteran he is, he knows darn well that a losing streak to a young, ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS PLAY POORLY, LOSE TO COLORADO

ZOBRIST GOES TO ROYALS at Cubsquest.com

28 July:

Take another one of  the Cub "targeted" acquisitions off the board.

Ben Zobrist, who Cubsquest confidently predicted would not come to the Friendly Confines, went to the Kansas City Royals for two pitchers. The A"s have picked up FOUR good pitching prospects for Tyler Clippard and ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comZOBRIST GOES TO ROYALS

Monday, July 27, 2015

CUBS WIN ON BRYANT WALKOFF at Cubsquest.com

28 July:

This was a game they really needed.

And it didn"t look that good. Jorge De La Rosa had retired the first nine Cubs, and the Rockies had already roughed up Kyle Hendricks and had him in pitch count trouble. But the fourth inning came, and the Cubs got the break they needed.

De...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WIN ON BRYANT WALKOFF

CUBS CLOSE TO DEAL WITH PADRES at Cubsquest.com

27 July:

According to both Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports have reported the Cubs are in "serious talks" with San Diego, and there seems to be more than two moving parts to a possible deal. ESPN"s Buster Olney claims they "aren"t in on James Shields" despite early reports that...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS CLOSE TO DEAL WITH PADRES

WILL CUBS DO ANYTHING? at Cubsquest.com

27 July:

The rest of the league is quite busy.

The Mets, who really have no more shot at the postseason than the Cubs do just acquired Tyler Clippard from the A"s, who recieved a minor league right hander named Casey Mesiner. His name is mentioned only because the Mets pitching is so deep...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWILL CUBS DO ANYTHING?

Sunday, July 26, 2015

CUBS SWEPT BY PHILS at Cubsquest.com

26 July:

The one true, and inexorable fact, of a #162 game season is that water eventually seeks it"s own level. Teams can play both above, and below their ability level for a period, even an extended period. Once in a great while a team will excel from start to finish, conversely occasionally...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SWEPT BY PHILS

Saturday, July 25, 2015

CUBS NO HIT BY COLE HAMELS at Cubsquest.com

25 July:

It"s been fifty years, give or take a month or so.

September 9th, 1965 to be exact. That was the last time the #Chicago Cubs were no hit, and it was a doozy, too. Not just no hit, but a #perfect game tossed against them by one of the greatest pitchers in history.

Sanford Braun,...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS NO HIT BY #COLE HAMELS

TRADE NEWS at Cubsquest.com

25 July:

The "Cub Dog" speaks.

Some bits from around the league:

The Cubs optioned left handed starter Clayton Richard to AAA Iowa; he could have turned it down and sought his release but didn"t contest it. He will be able to showcase his abilities there and await a future (and...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comTRADE NEWS

Friday, July 24, 2015

CUBS BLOW LATE LEAD, LOSE TO LAST PLACE PHILS at Cubsquest.com

24 July:

What is it about Friday and Cub games?

After much research #Cubsquest has not been able to find a day by day breakdown of wins and losses. So, this is based on recollection. And perhaps the memory is being a bit harsh.

That said, it is difficult to remember the last GOOD game...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BLOW LATE LEAD, LOSE TO LAST PLACE PHILS

WHO WILL THE CUBS GET? at Cubsquest.com

24 July:

The #Phillies are coming into #Chicago at a very appropriate time.

Scouts and baseball analysts both agree that Saturday"s start by #Cole Hamels is going to be a possible game changer. If he throws a masterful game he could very well be traded by Monday. He"ll cost a bunch of the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWHO WILL THE CUBS GET?

Thursday, July 23, 2015

PIRATES GET ARAMIS RAMIREZ FOR STRETCH at Cubsquest.com

23 July:

The chess pieces are beginning to move.

In what would be the equivalent of moving Queen to rook"s five, the #Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired the services of former #Cub #Aramis Ramirez from Miwaukee.

The #Brewers get a minor league pitcher and cash considerations.

The Pirates...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comPIRATES GET ARAMIS RAMIREZ FOR STRETCH

CUBS WANT #PRICE AND #HAMELS at Cubsquest.com

23   July:

The #Cubs are like kids in Holiday season.

They want some shiny toys. But the parents, which in this case would be the authoritarian #Crane Kenney are saying "sure, you can have some presents. But you have to get RID of some of the toys you have".

And the toys they are tired of ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS WANT PRICE AND HAMELS

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

CUBS SPLIT DAY /NIGHT AFFAIR AGAINST REDS at Cubsquest.com

23 July:

This was a big day for the Cubs.

Going in they had split the first two games, and needed to at least salvage a split or risk losing 3 out of 4 with a 13 inning nail biter the only thing preventing a four game sweep.

The Cincinnati Reds, a injury plagued team short on pitching...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS SPLIT DAY /NIGHT AFFAIR AGAINST REDS

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

CUBS BEAT REDS; EVEN SERIES at Cubsquest.com

22 July:

It was the new kid"s night.

Te baseball gods have been shouting from Mt Olympus all season long that the Cubs needed a left handed impact bat. NOT another starting pitcher, which the clueless local media has been pushing.

Their pitching staff, while maybe not perfect, has been...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS BEAT REDS; EVEN SERIES

CENTER FIELD: MONDAY OR DERNIER? at Cubsquest.com

16 July:

Center field is pretty thin gruel for most teams; usually a fast, good field no-hit type is inserted out there.

Occasionally you"ll get a generational player like Willie Mays, or even Jim Edmonds. Plus defense AND an amazing offense. Right now, the Dodgers Joc Pederson, who Theo...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCENTER FIELD: MONDAY OR DERNIER?

Monday, July 20, 2015

CUBS LOSE TO REDS at Cubsquest.com

21 July:

The #Cubs seem to hit a wall at 9 over .500.

They"ve been there twice; after Sunday"s win they were 8 over going into #Cincinnati to face a very beatable #Reds team. Things were looking good.

Win all three and they make that final step towards the elite. 11 games over .500. You...
Check it out at #Cubsquest.comCUBS LOSE TO REDS

WHY RIZZO AND SCHWARBER ARE HITTING at Cubsquest.com

20 July:

There is a pretty simple reason why #Anthony Rizzo is hitting, and why #Kyle Schwarber came up swinging the bat well. The inverse proportion of this is why #Kris Bryant and #Jorge Soler struggle.

It"s not bat speed, or even mental approach.

It"s bat angle.

If you do slo-mo on ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comWHY RIZZO AND SCHWARBER ARE HITTING

Sunday, July 19, 2015

CUBS FINALLY CUT JACKSON; BRING UP SORIANO at Cubsquest.com

20 July:

Theo Epstein finally ate his first contract.

The Edwin Jackson charade came to an end Sunday; the team announced he has been DFA"d- designated for assignment- and new Cub reliever Rafael Soriano has been activated to take his place. The musical chair game with Jackson has run it"s...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS FINALLY CUT JACKSON; BRING UP SORIANO

ARRIETA, CUBS BEAT BRAVES at Cubsquest.com

20 July:

Nothing like having a staff with an era under ONE for the last three weeks. If you add #Pedro Stop it gets to the low 2"s.

Wonder why the Cubs are hanging in there in spite of a woeful offense and mediocre at best defense? Simple. It has the magic three ingredients you need to...
Check it out at Cubsquest.com#ARRIETA, #CUBS BEAT #BRAVES

FAN SHOT OF THE WEEK! at Cubsquest.com

CUBSQUEST WANTS YOU... to be submit the fanshot of the week. The pic can be sexy, cute, funny, clever... Just make sure it"s of a decent pixel resolution; say at least 800 x 400.  This site is for and about the discerning #CUBFAN that wants a little more than the average run of the mill ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comFAN SHOT OF THE WEEK!

LESTER NEAR PERFECT, CUBS WIN at Cubsquest.com

19 July:

The #Cubs have found a pattern in their winning success.

A great start by one of their pitchers, and whatever #Bryant and #Rizzo can do. Perhaps with a little help from a #Castro squib, or #Denorfia off the bench.

One of #Coghlan"s drives finally falls in.

Very rarely is it a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comLESTER NEAR PERFECT, CUBS WIN

Saturday, July 18, 2015

CUBS PROMOTE SCHWARBER, LOSE GAME at Cubsquest.com

18 July:

The Cubs showed all sides of themselves Friday night in #Atlanta.

A hot, muggy night with two laboring pitchers seemed to beg for a bunch of runs to be scored,  instead turned into -once again- a pitcher"s duel of sorts. Braves starter #Julio Teheran had 90 pitches in 4 2/3 innings, ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS PROMOTE #SCHWARBER, LOSE GAME

Thursday, July 16, 2015

SHARP, ODUYA LATEST HAWKS TO DEPART at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – Vermette back to the #Coyotes. Saad to the #Blue Jackets. Richards to the Red Wings.

Add to the list two more #Chicago Blackhawk players that will suit up in a different jersey for the 2015-2016 NHL season.

Last Friday, the #Blackhawks sent #Patrick Sharp to the #Dallas Stars along ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comSHARP, ODUYA LATEST HAWKS TO DEPART

at Cubsquest.com

Chicago, IL – Vermette back to the Coyotes. Saad to the Blue Jackets. Richards to the Red Wings.

Add to the list two more Chicago Blackhawk players that will suit up in a different jersey for the 2015-2016 NHL season.

Last Friday, the Blackhawks sent Patrick Sharp to the Dallas Stars along ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.com

MONTERO TO EXTENDED DL; SCHWARBER UP at Cubsquest.com

16 July:

How quickly the worm can turn.

Miguel Montero"s thumb injury is as severe as first thought; his thumb was wrapped and immobile the day after. Everyone who saw it thought it worse than what was being let on.

Historically the Cubs treat injuries and the disabled list with a...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comMONTERO TO EXTENDED DL; SCHWARBER UP

SECOND HALF PREVIEW at Cubsquest.com

16 July:

The Cubs have played 87 games.

That puts them really in the second half already. But seeing the #All Star break is close enough we"ll call this the halfway break. Time to take a good look.

The 2015 #Chicago Cub team came in heralded; they had all of the buzz coming out of what...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comSECOND HALF PREVIEW

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

NATIONALS LOSE TO AL 6-3 at Cubsquest.com

14 July:

The best players in baseball played Tuesday night and the better team won.

The AL beat the Nationals 6-3, and it was only close for a while. Tied 1-1  with a #Mike Trout homer off of #Zach Greinke leading off, they went into the 5th. There a #Prince Fielder single and #Lorenzo Cain ...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comNATIONALS LOSE TO AL 6-3

CUB BESTS: DAWSON OR SOSA IN RIGHT? at Cubsquest.com

14 July:

As we start the all-Cub team (caveat: post 1950) of all time a comparison will be offered. Starting with right field, and ending up with the two best in pitching; starters, set up, and closer.

A spirited debate will ensue, and the best will be anointed.

Of course certain...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUB BESTS: #DAWSON OR #SOSA IN RIGHT?

DON KESSINGER: THE FIRST MODERN ERA SHORTSTOP at Cubsquest.com

14 July:

Ok, with all due respect to Luis Aparicio -who would rival Kessinger in that regard- this is, after all, a Cub site. And Don Kessinger became a prototype for a certain type of shortstop to follow. The likes of Cal Ripken Jr, Robin Yount, and Derek Jeter followed the template the...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comDON KESSINGER: THE FIRST MODERN ERA SHORTSTOP

Monday, July 13, 2015

RIZZO, BRYANT WATCH FRAZIER WIN DERBY at Cubsquest.com

13 July:

It was a classic entry in the Home Run Derby history.

With an inspired rule change, four minute hitting sessions with bonus time for distance, the usually slow as molasses event had drama to spare as a result.

Unfortunately for Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo, he was the first...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comRIZZO, BRYANT WATCH FRAZIER WIN DERBY

CUBSQUEST WELCOMES NEWEST ADDITION at Cubsquest.com

13 July:

Cubsquest is proud to welcome our new writer Trevor Block.

Currently finishing his degree in Journalism at Illinois State University, Trevor, who hails from the Chicago area, found his love for sports early. Particularly hockey and basketball, which he played until like the rest...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBSQUEST WELCOMES NEWEST ADDITION

HOME RUN DERBY TONIGHT at Cubsquest.com

13 July:

This is new territory for Cub fans.

It has been a LONG time since a Cub player has participated; namely Sammy Sosa in 2005. To many current Cub fans that is such a distant memory that it"s either a distant recollection, a story you"ve heard, or wasn"t Sammy Sosa a "roids guy?...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comHOME RUN DERBY TONIGHT

Sunday, July 12, 2015

ARRIETA MAKES A STAND, CUBS GET A WIN at Cubsquest.com

13 July:

It was a complete command performance.

Jake Arrieta came out firing, striking out the side in the first inning. He had six more the rest of the day, and better yet ZERO walks, in a masterful complete game.

And after the Cubs spotted him to a couple of runs; a solid single by...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comARRIETA MAKES A STAND, CUBS GET A WIN

CUBS NOTES AND RUMORS 12 JULY at Cubsquest.com

12 July:

#Miguel Montero isn"t going on the disable list yet.

They will monitor his condition day to day, and in the meantime #David Ross has been activated off of the concussion list. #Michael Baxter has been optioned to #Iowa to make room.

#Taylor Teagarden, who has played well in Ross"...
Check it out at Cubsquest.comCUBS NOTES AND RUMORS 12 JULY