Community Picks: St. Louis Cardinals 0% vs Chicago Cubs 0%

It's been a little more than a week since the Cubs altered the state of their pitching staff for years to come with that blockbuster crosstown swap that brought Jose Quintana to the North Side. But are the Cubs looking to make another massive upgrade to their starting rotation before the trade deadline? According to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi, the Cubs are interested in Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish. Now it might not make too much sense at first blush for the Cubs, who dealt away their top two minor leaguers in the trade for Quintana, to acquire another frontline starting pitcher, especially one who unlike Quintana will become a free agent at the end of the season. After all, if the Cubs do want Continue to Article

July 21, 2017 11:36:am EST

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers are hoping to end to a five-game losing streak that has weakened their grip on the National League Central lead. The Brewers start a three-game series in Philadelphia against the Phillies tonight. Milwaukee was swept in a four-game series in Pittsburgh. The five-game skid ties a season high for Milwaukee. A 5 1/2-game lead in the division at the All-Star break has been reduced to just a game with the second-place Chicago Cubs on a six-game winning streak. Manager Craig Counsell’s team has had a lead in each loss during the skid. It’s the first time that has happened to the Brewers since 1993. The Brewers hope to turn things around in Philadelphia, where they Continue to Article

July 21, 2017 11:19:am EST

LOS ANGELES – The voice of summer belongs to the man on the top step, who challenges the game to challenge him, to challenge all of them, who dares to beat his chest and awaken the consequences. The game demands enduring confidence and yet superficial Continue to Article

July 21, 2017 1:13:am EST

The defending World Series champions have won six straight since the All-Star break and are only one game out of first place -- a 4 1/2 game pickup on the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers -- as they open a three-game weekend series with division rival St. Louis (46-49). Chicago (49-45) will also show off its newest acquisition -- left-hander Jose Quintana -- with a Sunday start in his Cubs home debut. "We've had this energy since the beginning of the second half in Baltimore," manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday after the Cubs' 8-2 victory over the Braves in Atlanta. Continue to Article

July 20, 2017 11:49:pm EST

A look at what's happening all around the majors Friday: ROLLING INTO WRIGLEY The Cubs have won six straight and are just a game behind slumping Milwaukee in the NL Central as they begin a home series against St. Louis. Chicago right-hander Jake Arrieta (9-7, 4.17) has trimmed half a run off his ERA over his past four starts and can reach double digits in victories for the fourth straight season. All-Star Carlos Martinez (6-8, 3.36) counters for the Cardinals seeking his first victory since June 16, a span of five starts. The Brewers have been alone atop the division since June 6. HERE COME THE BUCS Starling Marte is back from his 80-game steroids suspension and Pittsburgh is making a charge Continue to Article

July 20, 2017 11:27:pm EST