Community Picks: Chicago Cubs 0% vs Miami Marlins 0%

It didn’t feel like home, not with a sizable chunk of the 24,684 at Marlins Park on Friday clad in blue and exercising their vocal chords for the Chicago Cubs. But, technically speaking, it was a home win for the Marlins, who gutted out a 2-0 victory over the defending World Series champs. One night after the Cubs rang up 11 runs in a blowout, Jose Urena and the bullpen put the clamps on them in a gritty win that continued their recent success at Marlins Park. The Marlins have won 13 of their past 17 in the home confines, a marked turnaround from a disastrous stretch in late April and May when they lost 12 of 14 there. Despite considerate fan support for the Cubs on Friday, the Marlins did just Continue to Article

June 23, 2017 10:46:pm EST

It’s safe to say after this week that San Diego Padres manager Andy Green isn’t like most in baseball. For that, I say this: Good for you, Andy Green. This all started with the slide by Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo that injured San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges. Continue to Article

June 23, 2017 8:30:pm EST

MIAMI Theo Epstein scoffed at the possibility of sending a World Series hero down to the minors on May 16, writing the headline with this money quote: If anyone wants to sell their Kyle Schwarber stock, were buying. If the Cubs arent dumping their Schwarber stock, theyre definitely reassessing their investment strategy, trying to figure out how such a dangerous postseason hitter had become one of the least productive players in the majors. The overall portfolio hasnt changed that much since the team presidents vote of confidence, Schwarber batting .179 for the defending champs then and .171 when the Cubs finally made the decision to demote him to Triple-A Iowa. Continue to Article

June 22, 2017 8:10:pm EST

Let’s get human and let’s talk stress. They both bike. Gov. Bruce Rauner straddles a Harley and hits the open road to hidden outposts Downstate. House Speaker Mike Madigan prefers to keep his bike stationary, exercising in the privacy of his Springfield and Chicago homes. Illinois is still at a standstill; the state’s two most powerful polar opposite pols are still at odds with each other since July 2015 — the last time we had a full state budget. So as the new fiscal year deadline (June 30) approaches, Sneed asked the men how they handle the stress of it all. Here’s how. “Well, I take long walks with our dog and ride my motorcycle,” Rauner said. “I head out alone and explore roads or find a Continue to Article

June 22, 2017 8:09:pm EST

The Chicago Cubs are hoping a stint in the minors will help Kyle Schwarber find his swing again. The 24-year-old Schwarber was sent down to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, giving the slumping slugger a chance to catch his breath after a difficult start to the season. ''We talked to him after the game yesterday and he took it really well,'' manager Joe Maddon said. Continue to Article

June 22, 2017 5:57:pm EST