142

Hey hey! The Cubs downed Atlanta 9-3 on Thursday night behind a QS from Alzolay (6 IP, 2 ER, 6 K) and multiple-hit nights from Tony, J-Hey, Duffy, KB, & Nico.

Hoerner reached base in 3 of 5 plate appearances, raising his season average to .360 and his OPS to 1.004. KB's night raised his average to .310 with a 1.011 OPS.

The North Siders head to Cincinnati for a three-game weekend set on Friday before returning to the Friendly Confines for a six-game homestand next week. 25 games down, 137 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

143

The Cubs got walloped by Atlanta on Wednesday, but there were two silver linings:  the Brewers lost, dropping the CMN, and Anthony Rizzo struck out Freddie Freeman. Rizzo's career ERA as a reliever remains 0.00.

You know it's not a good night when three position players pitch for your team ... and they give up 0 runs compared to the pitchers' 10.

The series wraps up tomorrow in Georgia before the Cubs head to Cincy for a three-game weekend series.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

144

The Cubs dropped Monday's game to Atlanta 8-7 despite a grand slam from KB and a 2-run HR from Willy. Zach Davies had a rough outing (3.2 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 5 ER), and the Cubs' comeback effort fell short. Meanwhile, the Brewers lost to the Marlins, dropping the CMN.

Bryant's season OPS stands at .993, and Nico Hoerner's 2-for-5 night actually lowered his average to .429. The series continues Tuesday in Georgia. 22 games down, 140 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credits:  Chicago Cubs

145

Holy mackerel! The Cubs' offense continued its recent tear at Wrigley on Friday, as they crushed the Brewers 15-2 behind a quality start from Kyle Hendricks (6 IP, 2 ER, 6 K), 17 hits, 4 homers, 5 RBI from Jake Marisnick, and three-hit days from Nico Hoerner, Javier Baez, and Kris Bryant.

KB's season average is up to .313, and his OPS is up to 1.041. The Cubs have now tallied 55 runs in their last six games -- compared to 34 in their first 13 games.

On the defensive side, the North Siders have cut their 2020 error rate in half so far in 2021:  0.50 errors/game in '20 and 0.26 errors/game in '21 -- second-best in MLB.

The series continues on Saturday at the Friendly Confines. 19 games down, 143 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit:  Chicago Cubs

147

Hey hey! The Cubs completed a series sweep of the Mets with a 4-3 win at Wrigley on Thursday behind a pinch-hit, walk-off, RBI single by Jason Heyward in the 10th, a solid start from Trevor Williams (5 IP, 2 ER, 6 K), and 5 innings of one-run ball from the bullpen.

Kris Bryant had a big night, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and raising his season average to .283. Craig Kimbrel continued his dominance (season ERA 0.00), tossing a perfect ninth. Winkler allowed the Mets to load the bases in the top of the 10th, but got Dominic Smith to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

The Cubs' homestand wraps up this weekend with a three-game set against the Brewers. 18 games down, 144 to go.

Go Cubs go!

148

Holy cow! The Cubs' offense exploded again on Wednesday as they downed the Mets 16-4 at Wrigley behind a grand slam from Javier Baez, 13 hits, and 4 New York errors.

It was a bullpen night for the Cubs, with Alec Mills picking up the win with three innings of scoreless relief. But it was the North Siders' offense that stole the show. Until El Mago's slam, the Cubs had put 10 runs on the board without a home run. Matt Duffy went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, David Bote had a 2-for-4, 4 RBI night, and Willson Contreras also picked up two hits.

The series wraps up tomorrow before the Brewers come back to town for a three-game weekend series. 17 games down, 145 to go.

Go Cubs go!

150

Hey hey! The Cubs downed the Mets 3-1 at Wrigley on Tuesday night behind another solid start from Jake Arrieta (5 IP, 1 ER, 4 K), a 2-for-3 night from Eric Sogard, and Craig Kimbrel's fourth save.

The bullpen was largely lights out, tossing four innings of scoreless ball. Kimbrel's 9th was messy but got the job done:  BB, K, BB, 1B, and K before a groundout to first ended the game. Sogard reached base in 3 of 4 plate appearances.

The series continues Wednesday at the Friendly Confines. 16 games down, 146 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Video Credit:  Chicago Cubs

151

The Cubs dropped Sunday's rubber game to Atlanta 13-4.  Kyle Hendricks gave up 6 ER in the 1st inning, and that was that. Anthony Rizzo homered twice in the losing effort.

The Mets head to Wrigley on Tuesday to kick off a three-game set. 15 games down, 147 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image & Video Credits:  Chicago Cubs

152

Holy cow! The Cubs' offense came alive at Wrigley on Saturday as they downed Atlanta 13-4 behind a nice start from Trevor Williams (5 IP, 4 K, 1 ER) and SIX home runs -- two apiece from Willy & KB and one each from Javy & Bote.

The rubber game of the series is Sunday at the Friendly Confines. 14 games down, 148 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit:  Chicago Cubs

153

Not much to say on the Cubs' front other than that they square off against Atlanta at Wrigley on Saturday.

Wind blowing in ~10 MPH at the Friendly Confines with Trevor Williams on the mound. May their bats find the fastballs over the plate and may the men in blue hit 'em where they ain't. 

13 games down, 149 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit:  Chicago Cubs

154

Tuesday's Reds' loss dropped the CMN.  No comment about Wednesday's Cubs game.

The North Siders have an off day Thursday and then kick off a nine-game homestand Friday against Atlanta. Here's hoping that the Friendly Confines are indeed friendly to the defending NL Central champs.

12 games down, 150 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

155

Hey hey! The Cubs came back to beat the Brewers 3-2 in Milwaukee on Tuesday night behind a spot start from Alec Mills, five shutout relief innings from the bullpen -- including a four-out save from Craig Kimbrel, and a go-ahead, two-run homer from Willson Contreras in the 8th.

Kyle Hendricks was slated to take the hill for the North Siders, but was a late scratch due to illness. Here's hoping that it's not COVID-19, as the Cubs are experiencing their first outbreak since the pandemic began.

Contreras was hit by another pitch tonight, so his homer was especially gratifying.

The series wraps up Wednesday at Wrigley North before the Cubs head back to the Friendly Confines and kick off a nine-game homestand on Friday.  11 games down, 151 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit:  Chicago Cubs

156

Cubs dropped the series finale in Pittsburgh, but the Reds' loss drops the CMN.

The Men in Blue kick off a three-game set in Milwaukee on Monday.  9 games down, 153 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

157

Tough game for the Cubs on Saturday in Pittsburgh, but the Reds' loss drops the CMN.

Rubber game against the Pirates on Sunday at PNC.  8 games down, 154 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

158

Holy cow! The Cubs beat the Bucs 4-2 on Thursday behind another quality start from Jake Arrieta (6 IP, 4 K, 2 ER) and home runs from Bryzzo and El Mago. Craig Kimbrel finished the game with his first career five-out save.

Kimbrel has truly been filthy to start the 2021 campaign:  9 K in 4.2 IP with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.00 WHIP.

The series continues Saturday at PNC Park. 7 games down, 155 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

159

Hey hey! The first place Cubs beat the Brewers 5-3 behind a quality start from Trevor Williams (6 IP, 6 K, 2 ER) and homers from Willson Contreras, Javier Baez, and David Bote. Williams was perfect through 5 in his Cubs debut.

Contreras took a pitch off the helmet late in the game, a scary moment. He stayed in the game and hopefully is fine.

Alec Mills picked up the save for the North Siders.

The series continues on Tuesday night at Wrigley.  4 games down, 158 to go.

Go Cubs go!

160

Holy cow! The first place Cubs beat Pittsburgh 4-3 at Wrigley on Sunday behind a nice start from Zach Davies and big days from Ian Happ (HR, 2 R) and Kris Bryant (2-for-3, R, RBI). 

Craig Kimbrel picked up the save to seal the victory (2 K, 0 H, 0 BB).

The Brewers head to the Friendly Confines Monday to kick off a three-game set. 3 games down, 159 to go.

Go Cubs go!

161

Hey hey! The first place Cubs picked up their first win of the 2021 campaign on Saturday, downing the Bucs 5-1 behind a quality start from Jake Arrieta (6 IP, 1 ER, 5 K) and home runs from Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward.

El Mago swiped two bases while both he and J-Hey went 2-for-4, and the bullpen threw three perfect innings of relief. Speaking of relief, Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the 9th to end the game.

First pitch of the series' rubber game is Sunday at 1:20 in Chicago; the Brewers head to town Monday to kick off a three-game set.  2 games down, 160 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs