115

Holy cow! The Cubs downed the Bucs 4-1 at PNC Park on Wednesday night behind a quality start from Williams, three more scoreless innings from the bullpen, and 2 RBI apiece from David Bote and Kris Bryant.

Williams had his best start of the season (6 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 0 BB) while the bullpen continued its scoreless streak (3 IP, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB). Craig Kimbrel (0.86 ERA) picked up his 11th save of the season, and Tommy Nance has yet to yield an earned run in his rookie campaign.

On the offensive side, KB's 3-for-5 night raised his season average to .317 (.997 OPS), Eric Sogard went 2-for-4, and Williams' 2-for-3 night raised his season average to .308. Who needs the DH?

The series wraps up Thursday in Pittsburgh before the North Siders return to the Friendly Confines Friday to kick off a six-game homestand against the Reds and Padres. 48 games down, 114 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

118

Monday in the NL Central:  Cubs had the day off, but the Cards lost to the White Sox, dropping the CMN.

The North Siders kick off a three-game set in Pittsburgh on Tuesday before heading back to Wrigley for a six-game homestand against the Reds and Padres.

46 games down, 116 to go.

Go Cubs go!

119

Cubs win! Cubs win! Cubs win! The Cubs beat the Cards 2-1 in extras on Sunday night to take the weekend series two games to one. Javier Baez's two-run, 10th inning homer broke a 0-0 tie and provided all the offense that the North Siders would need.

It was certainly a pitchers' night at Busch, perhaps due to the help of a wide strike zone that led to manager David Ross's ejection in the fourth inning. Prior to Javy's blast, the only two hits for the Cubs were off of red-hot Kris Bryant's bat (.312 BA, 1.009 OPS).

The Chicago bullpen continued its torrid streak by not allowing an earned run over five innings of work. Craig Kimbrel finished the 9th and then pitched the 10th, earning him the second plate appearance of his career. It ended predictably (K), but not before he had a few great takes and one Baez-esque swing.

It's an off day for the men in blue on Monday before kicking off a three-game set in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. 46 games down, 116 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

121

Holy cow! Who says St. Louis is boring? The Cubs trounced the Cards 12-3 at Busch on Friday behind a quality start from Kyle Hendricks (6.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 K) and an 8-run 8th inning.

Joc Pederson led off the game with a first-pitch home run, Ian Happ had a 3-for-4 night, and Kris Bryant raised his season average to .308 (1.023 OPS).

The North Siders' bullpen continued its dominance with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The series continues Saturday at Busch. 44 games down, 118 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

123

Holy mackerel! The Cubs beat the Nats 5-2 behind 2 HRs and 3 RBI from Ian Happ and 4 1/3 scoreless relief innings from the bullpen -- including Craig Kimbrel's 9th save. The win gave the North Siders a 3-1 series victory over Washington.

Kimbrel's season ERA is now 1.06, and his 9 saves are 4th-best in the NL. Anthony Rizzo and Joc Pederson each collected two of the Cubs' ten hits, and the men in blue now have an 11-6 record in May.

Next up:  a six-game road trip that kicks off with a three-game weekend series in St. Louis. Here's hoping they can gain some ground, as they currently sit three games behind the first place Cards. 43 games down, 119 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

124

Holy cow! The Cubs beat the Nats 6-3 on Tuesday behind homers from David Bote and Ian Happ, 2 RBI from Willson Contreras, and four scoreless innings from the bullpen. The offense collected 13 hits on the way to the victory.

The Cubs recognized Jon Lester in a pregame ceremony, presenting him with a W flag and Wrigley seats signed by teammates, coaches, and staff. Last night's pregame ceremony had David Ross presenting Kyle Schwarber with a number 12 plate from the manual scoreboard (and hopefully perpetual rights to visit the top of the Budweiser scoreboard).

Some impressive stats:

• Cubs have won 9 of their last 13 games,
• Cubs' bullpen has the second-lowest ERA in the NL,
• Nico Hoerner is now hitting .353 with a .904 OPS,
• Kris Bryant is now hitting .309 with a 1.027 OPS, 10 HR, and 26 RBI, and
• Craig Kimbrel's save was his eighth of the season (1.08 ERA).

The series continues Wednesday at Wrigley. 41 games down, 121 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credits:  Chicago Cubs

125

Holy cow! The Cubs downed the Nats 7-3 at Wrigley on Monday with 12 hits from the offense, 3 RBI from J-Hey, and a 1-2-3 9th from Tommy Nance in his MLB debut. Heyward, Contreras, and Baez each homered for Chicago.

The game marked Jon Lester's first appearance in front of fans at Wrigley since 2019, and his first in a Nationals uniform. Kyle Schwarber also made his Wrigley debut for the Nats, launching a two-run homer in his return to the North Side. Both received standing ovations and pregame honors.

Adbert Alzolay gave up three runs in his five-inning start, including two homers. But the bullpen picked him up, tossing four runs of scoreless ball. Nance's appearance included a strikeout of the first batter he faced and nine strikes in his eleven pitches. Welcome to the show!

The series continues tomorrow at the Friendly Confines. 40 games down, 122 to go. 

Go Cubs go!

Photo Credit:  Chicago Cubs

127

Hey hey! The Cubs downed the Tigers 5-1 on Sunday behind a dominant start from Kyle Hendricks (8 IP, 1 ER, 8 K, 0 BB) and a 3-for-4 day from Ian Happ (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI). 

Hendricks was dealing, throwing 76 of his 105 pitches for strikes, and scattering eight hits over eight-plus innings. With the win, the Cubs took the series from Detroit.

They head to Wrigley to kick off a four-game homestand against the Nats on Monday. 39 games down, 123 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

129

Hey hey! The Cubs downed the Tigers 4-2 on Friday behind a quality start from Jake Arrieta (6 IP, 2 ER), a two-run blast from Kris Bryant, and a perfect ninth inning from Craig Kimbrel.

Kimbrel struck out the side to earn his seventh save of the season, and Bryant's homer was his tenth of the 2021 campaign. KB is now sporting a league-leading 1.069 OPS. Rizzo and Baez also drove in runs for the North Siders.

The series continues Saturday in Detroit. 37 games down, 125 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

131

The Cubs had an off day on Thursday and kick off a weekend series in Detroit on Friday.  36 games down, 126 to go.

Go Cubs go!

132

Holy cow! The Cubs beat the Bucs 3-2 on Saturday at Wrigley behind 5 scoreless relief innings from the bullpen and RBIs from Contreras, Duffy, & Sogard. Trevor Williams struck out six in 4 innings to start the game, and Craig Kimbrel picked up his sixth save of the season, lowering his season ERA to 0.64.

The win gives the North Siders their second consecutive series win and their fifth win in a row. The series wraps up on Sunday at Wrigley. 33 games down, 129 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

135

Hey hey! The Cubs came back four different times on Wednesday to beat the Dodgers 6-5 in extras behind a nice start from Adbert Alzolay (5 IP, 2 ER, 7 K), a 3-for-4 night from Matt Duffy, and a walk-off RBI single from Anthony Rizzo.

Jake Marisnick homered for the Cubs, and centerfielder (!) Kris Bryant threw out Justin Turner at the plate. Craig Kimbrel lowered his season ERA to 0.69 with another perfect inning of relief.

The series sweep of the reigning MLB champs was a great start to this homestand, which wraps up with a three-game set against the Bucs starting on Friday. 31 games down, 131 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

137

Holy cow! The Cubs came back to beat the Dodgers 4-3 to sweep Tuesday's doubleheader behind a walk-off RBI single from David Bote, a game-tying two-run homer in extras from Javier Baez, and a solo shot from Jason Heyward.

It was a bullpen game for the North Siders even before the game went into extras -- Keegan Thompson picked up the spot start (3.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 K) and six Cubs relievers combined to finish the game.

The series wraps up tomorrow at Wrigley. 30 games down, 132 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

138

Holy cow! The Cubs downed LA 7-1 on Tuesday afternoon behind a complete game quality start from Kyle Hendricks (7 IP, 1 ER, 6 K) and 3 RBI from David Bote.

The game was a makeup of Monday's rainout, so was only a seven-inning affair since it was the first half of a doubleheader. The regularly scheduled Tuesday game starts at 6:40 p.m. at Wrigley.

Kris Bryant went 1-for-3, raising his season average to .323 (1.111 OPS), and Jake Marisnick homered.

29 games down, 133 to go. 

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

140

Cubs lost to the Reds on Sunday, but the Brewers' loss dropped the CMN. Here's hoping that Ian Happ is okay after a nasty collision with Nico Hoerner in the outfield.

The Cubs now head home to kick off a six-game homestand:  three against the Dodgers and three against the Pirates. 28 games down, 134 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs

141

Holy cow! The Cubs came back to beat the Reds 3-2 on Saturday behind a 3-for-3 night from Nico Hoerner and 5 shutout innings from the bullpen. Craig Kimbrel picked up the save, his fifth of the season, while keeping his season ERA at 0.00.

Hoerner reached base in all four of his plate appearances, raising his season average to .375 and his OPS to 1.018. "I know it’s early in the year, but it’s definitely significant for the morale of this team and what we can do in games like that," Hoerner said. .Jason Heyward and Zach Davies each knocked in a run for the visiting North Siders.

The rubber game of the series takes place Sunday at the Great American Ball Park before the Cubs head back to Wrigley to kick off a six-game homestand against the Dodgers and Pirates. 27 games down, 135 to go.

Go Cubs go!

Image Credit:  Chicago Cubs