The Postseason-Bound Cubs are having fun with Rookie Dress Up Day

The Cubs just swept the Reds in Cincinnati by winning their 94th game this season, which was also their 5th W in a row.  Joe Maddon's team kept in the tradition of having their rookies dress up for their last flight of the regular season.

Here are some photos of what the Cubs rookies are wearing on the plane to Milwaukee:

Cubs rookies dressed up in their costumes for the flight to Milwaukee from Cincinnati

Kris Bryant as Elsa

Javier Baez on Cubs rookie dress-up day (photo by Jesse Rogers/ESPN.com)

As more photos surface, I will add them for your viewing pleasure.  Don't you agree that the Cubs have the BEST rookies in MLB?

The Cubs have 3 regular season games left to play in Milwaukee.  Tomorrow's game is at 7:10pm CT, where Jake Arrieta will make the start for the Cubs.  Arrieta holds the best ERA following the All-Star break in Major League Baseball history (0.80) and leads the Majors with 21 wins. 

Cubs win 5-4 over Cardinals for 5th consecutive win as rivalry continues

Wow, just wow.  The Cubs beat the Cardinals 5-4 Saturday at Wrigley Field for their fifth consecutive win.  The crowd at the Friendly Confines was definitely charged up and into the game as there was plenty to cheer about.

Jorge Soler and Kris Bryant hit back-to-back homers to lead off the fifth inning.  The homer into the last row of the left field bleachers was Bryant's 25th home run of the season, which ties Billy Williams'  rookie record for home runs.  Williams set the record in 1961.

Fernando Rodney (not pictured) pours sunflower seeds onto Kris Bryant after he hit a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field on Sept. 19, 2015, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)

The Cubs held a lead during the entire game, beginning in the bottom of the first inning.  Trevor Cahill earned the win and Michael Wacha gets the loss.  

Addison Russell made an impressive diving catch and then flipped it to Javier Baez at second base to get the final out of the game.

Addison Russell's diving catch to secure the Cubs win on Saturday over the Cardinals

The Cubs now trail the Pirates for 2nd place in the NL Central by a half game (The Pirates will play the Dodgers at 8:10pm CT).  I'm sure I won't be the only one cheering on the Dodgers tonight!  The Cubs are now 5 games behind the Cardinals for first place in the NL Central. 

The Cubs magic number is now 6!  Go Cubs Go! #wearegood

The Cubs and Cardinals will play their final matchup of the regular season on Sunday at 1:20pm CT.  Jon Lester (10-10, 3.38) will face Carlos Martinez (13-7, 3.02). 

Cubs spring training in full swing; 7 players are Top Prospects; Spring Training Broadcast Schedule

Cubs players have been working hard in Mesa at the Cubs' new spring training facility to prepare for the upcoming season.  Below are some photos:

Cubs full squad workout (photo from @CarrieMuskat on Twitter)

1B Anthony Rizzo at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

Top prospects Javier Baez and Jorge Soler at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

Top prospect 3B Kris Bryant at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

3B Mike Olt at Spring Training (photo from Boys of Spring)

In other Cubs news, there are seven Cubs players in Baseball America's annual Top 100 prospects list, including two in the Top 10 and five in the Top 50.  These players are listed below:

  #5 - Javier Baez
  #8 - Kris Bryant
 #28 - C.J. Edwards
 #36 - Albert Almora
 #41 - Jorge Soler
 #87 - Pierce Johnson
#100 - Arismendy Alcantara

The seven Cubs prospects tied for second with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Boston Red Sox are in first place, with eight prospects (which makes sense, since it was Theo Epstein's former club).  To compare, the Cubs had just four prospects on last year's list.  We'll take it!

Here is the Cubs' Spring Training broadcast schedule, for those of you who are itching to watch our men in blue:

2014 Cubs Spring Training Broadcast Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time (CT)	TV	Radio
February
Thursday, February 27	vs. Arizona	2:05 PM	WGN	MLB.com
Friday, February 28	@LA Angels	2:05 PM		WGN 720
March
Saturday, March 1	@Arizona	8:10 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 1	vs. San Francisco	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Sunday, March 2	vs. Kansas City	2:05 PM		WGN 720
Monday, March 3	@Milwaukee	2:05 PM		WGN 720
Tuesday, March 4	vs. Oakland	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Wednesday, March 5	vs. Colorado	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Thursday, March 6	@Cleveland	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Friday, March 7	vs. Cleveland	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 8	@Cincinnati	2:05 PM		MLB.com
Sunday, March 9	vs. Milwaukee	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Monday, March 10	@San Francisco	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Tuesday, March 11	vs. Colorado	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Wednesday, March 12	@Seattle	9:05 PM		MLB.com
Friday, March 14	vs. LA Dodgers	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 15	@Kansas City	3:05 PM		WGN 720
Saturday, March 15	vs. NY Mets	3:05 PM	WGN
Sunday, March 16	vs. Cleveland	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Monday, March 17	vs. LA Angels	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Tuesday, March 18	@Texas	9:05 PM		MLB.com
Wednesday, March 19	@Colorado	8:40 PM		MLB.com
Thursday, March 20	vs. Seattle	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Friday, March 21	@Chi White Sox	3:05 PM		MLB.com
Saturday, March 22	vs. Cincinnati	3:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Sunday, March 23	@Oakland	3:05 PM	WGN	MLB.com
Monday, March 24	vs. San Diego	9:05 PM		WGN 720
Tuesday, March 25	vs. LA Angels	3:05 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Wednesday, March 26	@Arizona	3:10 PM		MLB.com
Thursday, March 27	vs. Chi White Sox	2:05 PM		WGN 720
Friday, March 28	@Arizona	8:40 PM	CSN	MLB.com
Saturday, March 29	@Arizona	3:10 PM	CSN	WGN 720

Just think, there are 38 days until #Cubs Opening Day in Pittsburgh and 42 days until the #Cubs Home Opener!  Comment below if you're one of the lucky ones that will be in Mesa to watch a game at Cubs Park.

Cubs win 5-2 against Padres; Spring roster cuts; Opening Day lineup

The Cubs won 5-2 against the San Diego Padres in today's spring training game at the Peoria Sports Complex.  Edwin Jackson was excellent as he allowed just one run on three hits with one walk and three strikeouts over six innings.

Dave Sappelt hit a three-run homer against the Padres on Monday (photo from cubs.com)

Dave Sappelt's three-run homer helped bring the Cubs their victory.  Utility player Brent Lillibridge (who played first base in today's game) had two hits, including a triple to lead off the seventh inning.

As expected, the Cubs reduced their spring roster from 53 to 46 players today.  Junior Lake and Josh Vitters were optioned to Triple-A Iowa, Christian Villanueva was optioned to Double-A Tennessee and Jorge Soler was optioned to Single-A Daytona.  Non-roster spring training invitees Barret Loux, Javier Baez and Rafael Lopez were assigned to minor league camp.

In other Cubs news, pitcher Scott Baker had soreness in his right elbow so he underwent an MRI today.  The Cubs will find out the results of the MRI on Tuesday.

Tomorrow, Chris Rusin will make his third start of the spring when the Cubs play the Texas Rangers at HoHoKam Stadium.  Manager Dale Sveum is planning on using his projected Opening day lineup in tomorrow's game, which will be: DeJesus (CF), Castro (SS), Rizzo (1B), Soriano (LF), Schierholtz (RF), Castillo (C), Valbuena (3B), Barney (2B).  The game can be heard on cubs.com at 3:05pm CST.

Dale Sveum will use his projected Opening Day lineup in Tuesday's game against the Rangers (photo from Jesse Rogers, ESPN.com)

And speaking of Opening Day, it's just 14 days away!  Go Cubs Go!

Cubs beat Marlins 5-1 after game called due to rain delay; Rizzo and Campana visit kids with cancer; Randy Wells placed on DL by Iowa; Jorge Soler to make debut Thursday

The Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 5-1 Wednesday night at Wrigley Field to even up the series.  The game was halted in the eighth inning after thunderstorms moved into Chicago.  After a one hour and 17 minute rain delay, the game was called and Cubs fans were able to sing "Go Cubs Go!"

Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed one run on six hits and struck out nine batters and walked three.  He lasted just five innings and was pulled after 97 pitches.

Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs on Wednesday at Wrigley Field (photo from cubs.com)

Starlin Castro tied the game 1-1 in the fourth inning by hitting a solo home run.  The Cubs then scored four more runs in the seventh inning.  Geovany Soto's RBI single drove home Alfonso Soriano to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead.  The Cubs then scored three more runs when Jeff Baker hit a two-run pinch double and David DeJesus hit a sacrifice fly.

The Cubs were leading the Marlins 5-1 in the eighth inning when heavy thunderstorms forced a rain delay that lasted one hour and 17 minutes before the game was called.

In other Cubs news, Anthony Rizzo and Tony Campana, who are both cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) survivors, visited young patients at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago for a couple of hours on Wednesday.

Tony Campana and Anthony Rizzo visited patients at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago on Wednesday (photo from cubs.com)

"Sometimes, we'd go into a room and just say hi, cheer them up," Rizzo said.  "Other times, we'd talk to them a little more and tell them Tony and I are both survivors and what we went through, and we know it's not fun.  Kids were sitting there getting chemotherapy as we're talking to them.  We just tell them to have fun."

"The situation I'm in now, I have a chance to go out and show kids that, hey, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and keep fighting no matter what and always have fun," Rizzo said.

Right-handed pitcher Randy Wells has been placed on the disabled list by the Iowa Cubs retroactive to July 15th with a right elbow strain.  Wells has a record of 1-2 in 12 games and an ERA of 5.34, including four starts with the Cubs.  He was designated for assignment in June and outrighted to Triple-A Iowa.  

Jorge Soler, who signed a nine-year, $30 million deal with the Cubs earlier this month, will make his pro debut in an Arizona Rookie League game on Thursday. 

Tomorrow the Marlins and Cubs will play the final game in the three-game series at 1:20pm CT at Wrigley Field.  Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try to earn his eighth win of the season.

Cubs win 3-2 over Astros and secure the series win; Anthony Rizzo hits first homer as a Cub; Jorge Soler deal finalized; No more shaving cream pies by Garza

The Cubs beat the Houston Astros 3-2 at Wrigley Field to secure the series win.  Matt Garza started for the Cubs and gave up two runs on nine hits and issued three walks over 5-1/3 innings.

Matt Garza stretches before starting Saturday's game against the Astros (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Anthony Rizzo hit his first homer as a Cub in the fifth inning, when Starlin Castro was on base, which gave the Cubs the 3-2 lead.  "It's good to come here and help us win," Rizzo said.  "It's a lot of fun when you can do that.  It's good for us to win and get that monkey off my back by hitting a home run."

Anthony Rizzo is congratulated by Bryan LaHair after hitting the game-winning home run on Saturday (photo from Chicago Tribune)

In other Cubs news, Jorge Soler has officially signed a 9-year, $30 million deal with the Cubs.  “He provides a ton of power potential for us,” Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer said.  “We scouted him heavily and it obviously is a significant commitment for us.  He fits very well into what we’re trying to do.  He’s the right age, the right talent and we’re excited to get him started.”  Soler is 20 years old and hails from Cuba.

Hoyer also said that negotiations with first-round draft choice Albert Almora are ongoing.  The Cubs have until July 13th to sign Almora.

It was also announced that Chris Volstad, who has been at Triple-A Iowa after a 0-6 start to the season, will be called up to start on Tuesday against the Braves in Atlanta. 

Hoyer also said today that Ian Stewart will most likely have to get surgery on his left wrist, since the cortisone shots in his hand haven't helped to resolve the pain.

After today's game, during Anthony Rizzo's postgame interview on the field, Matt Garza emerged from the dugout with a shaving cream pie ready for Rizzo, but opted to cover the camera lens instead and then removed Rizzo's headset and put it on himself and said for Rizzo to come inside, it's hot out here.

Apparently Garza's antics didn't go over very well and he tweeted tonight, "Thanks for the love all of you... Sad to say I shall be retiring from the pies! Certain individuals don't enjoy it as much! #terrible"  Garza definitely brings a lot of energy to the clubhouse and personally, I get a charge out of the guy!

Matt Garza puts shaving cream on a camera during Anthony Rizzo's postgame interview (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Luis Valbuena and Anthony Rizzo celebrate the Cubs' 3-2 win over the Astros (photo from Chicago Tribune)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Astros will play the final game of the series at 1:20pm CT.  Travis Wood is scheduled to start for the Cubs and will try for his third win of the season.

Jeff Samardzija, Casey Coleman and Cubs get whopped 17-1 by the Mets; Roster moves made today

The Cubs lost by a whopping score of 17-1 to the New York Mets at Wrigley Field this afternoon.  Jeff Samardzija started for the Cubs and allowed nine runs on six hits and issued four walks over 4-1/3 innings pitched.  Samardzija was charged with his seventh loss of the season and now has an ERA of 5.05.  In his last five starts, the "Shark" has been charged with 27 earned runs over 23-1/3 innings. 

Jeff Samardzija didn't fare well today and takes the loss against the Mets (photo from cubs.com)

"The walks aren't acceptable, especially with the conditions we had today,'' said Samardzija, who walked four.  "If you're going to give up home runs, they have to be solo home runs.  You can't give up runs for free.''

The Mets hit three home runs in a 10-batter stretch during a six-run fifth inning against Samardzija.   Casey Coleman came into the game in relief and didn't fare better, giving up another six runs in the sixth inning, including a grand slam to Scott Hairston.  Perhaps the Cubs shouldn't have shipped Randy Wells off so quickly after his start last night....seeing as Samardzija and Coleman both fared much worse than Wells did....

Yesterday's hero, newcomer first baseman Anthony Rizzo went 1-for-4 with a double in today's game.  Even he couldn't help save the Cubs today.

As I mentioned above, right handed pitcher Randy Wells was designated for assignment today.  Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Wells was DFA'ed instead of simply being optioned to Triple-A Iowa because the Cubs needed a roster spot for outfielder Jorge Soler.

Randy Wells was designated for assignment on Tuesday

The $30 million, nine-year Soler deal is expected to be official in the next few days.  If Wells is claimed on waivers by another team, that team would be responsible for the remaining $1.5 million on his $2.7 million salary.

However, if Wells clears waivers, he will be outrighted to Iowa.  But I think it's totally unfair since there are pitchers still on the roster that have worse numbers than Wells.  Such as, Samardzija, who has allowed 27 earned runs in his last 23 1/3 innings pitched.  That's an ERA of 11.64 in his last four starts.

This all goes back to my belief that Wells never got a fair look in spring training this year by the new Cubs' front office and Sveum.  He hardly got to pitch in ST and when he did, he pitched well.  But for some unknown reason, Wells was sent to Iowa to start out the season and Chris Volstad took a spot in the starting rotation.  And Volstad flopped and was eventually sent to Iowa.  Plus, many people are quick to forget that Wells pitched two complete games, with one being a complete game shutout last season.  Anyway.....

The Cubs also recalled relief pitcher Rafael Dolis from Iowa today.  We'll see how things go for him this time around.

The Cubs have an off-day tomorrow and will play a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the Houston Astros starting at 1:20pm on Friday, when Paul Maholm will start for the Cubs and try for his fifth win of the season.

Cubs win 4-3 over Tigers; Rudy Jaramillo fired; Jorge Soler is a Cub

The Cubs win 4-3 over the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field tonight for their second straight win.  Paul Maholm started for the Cubs and pitched an excellent six shutout innings.  Maholm left the game with two on base and no outs.  He struck out seven batters and issued one walk tonight, but ended up with a no decision, unfortunately.

Casey Coleman came into the game in relief and gave up the lead and was pulled for James Russell when the game was tied at 3.

Russell got the job done and retired all three batters he faced.  Then Carlos Marmol came in and was successful in relief and earned his first win of the season while Shawn Camp earned the save.

Darwin Barney had 3 RBIs tonight and was 1-for-3.  Tony Campana stole three bases tonight.

In other Cubs news, the team signed corner outfielder Jorge Soler to a guaranteed nine-year, $30 million contract yesterday.  Soler is 20 years old, 6-foot-4 and 225-pounds and is considered by many to be the next big Cuban prospect on the scene.  Soler was declared a free agent last week and received interest from many other teams, including the Yankees, Blue Jays, White Sox, Marlins, Phillies, Orioles, and Red Sox. 

Rudy Jaramillo, the Cubs' hitting coach, was fired today.  This was his third season with the North siders and the team's on-base percentage has declined each of the seasons he's been the hitting coach. However, "Rudy's not to blame for the results," said Cubs President Theo Epstein earlier today.

"That's something we're all accountable for.  We put the roster together.  It's probably more on us than it is on him.  I'm sure a lot of players feel accountable, too.  It's not based on results.  It's more trying to get a new voice with a new message.  We have a certain hitting philosophy we believe in, and we have a lot of growth that awaits us as an organization."

James Rowson, the Cubs' Minor League hitting coordinator, will be the interim hitting coach. 

The Cubs and Rudy Jaramillo parted ways earlier today (photo from cubs.com)

Tomorrow the Cubs and Tigers will play game two of the three-game series at 7:05pm CT.  Matt Garza will start for the Cubs and try to earn his third win of the season.  I'll be at the game, so I'll be posting lots of photos!

Monday's Cubby News

Kerry Wood honored at CSN's Sports Awards tonight

Kerry Wood during the Wood Family Foundation's Woody's Winter Warm-Up Fundraiser in January 2012

Kerry Wood was honored as the Cub of the Year at the March of Dimes Comcast SportsNet Awards tonight in Chicago.  Here's a link to a video from the event:  

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/post/Wood-honored-at-CSNs-Sports-Awards?blockID=650730&feedID=10336 

The Cubs are also expected to add 19-year-old Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler.  Here's a link to the Chicago Tribune article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0214-cubs-chicago--20120214,0,5338208.story

 

Since pitchers and catchers report in 5 days to spring training, 

Click here for a link to Bruce Levine's preview of the 2012 Cubs Starting Rotation