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• BCB After Dark: Grade Seiya Suzuki

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks you to grade Seiya Suzuki. It’s Wednesday evening here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest gathering of night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We are so glad you decided to stop by. We’re open late tonight. There’s no cover charge. The dress code is casual. I think there a...2024
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• BCB After Dark: Always be closing

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks if you’re good with Porter Hodge as the closer It’s Tuesday evening at BCB After Dark: the hippest happening for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Please come in. We’re so glad you decided to stop by. There’s no cover charge. We still have a few available tables. B...2024
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• The Cubs have 14 (!) arbitration-eligible players for 2025

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Many of these players will probably be non-tendered. MLB Trade Rumors posted Tuesday their annual estimates for arbitration salaries for next season. They’ve gotten pretty good at this. Most of their estimates are pretty close to what the players actually sign for, unless said player winds up with a multi-year deal. Sometime after the World S...2024
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• 2024 Cubs final season grades

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Obviously, we wish this year’s Cubs would have done better. But there were still some performances to celebrate. As they did in 2023, the Cubs dug themselves a deep hole early on this year, went on a pretty good run and were briefly in a wild-card spot, then couldn’t hold on to it in September. They did finish 83-79, the same record as last y...2024
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• White Sox 4, Angels 3 (10 innings)

Family before infamy. | Matt Dirksen/Getty Images Another win! And the tragic/magic number for worst-ever remains four games The White Sox started this game as if determined to crush the spirit of another sizable crowd (18,423) discorporating out of traditional fandom and taking on roles of rooting against the Good Guys, hoping to see the history of Loss 121. But an early 2-0 lead supplied...2024
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• First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Phillies, Wednesday 9/25, 5:05 CT

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Go get ‘em, Javier....2024

• BCB After Dark: Grade Seiya Suzuki
2024

See more Seiya Suzuki availability report
• BCB After Dark: Always be closing
2024

Click for news about Porter Hodge injury status
• The Cubs have 14 (!) arbitration-eligible players for 2025
2024

Continue with World Series availability report
• 2024 Cubs final season grades
2024

Read about Miguel Amaya availability report
• Ozzie Albies return could shift Whit Merrifield to third base, per report

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images The pending return of injured second baseman Ozzie Albies could have a waterfall effect on the team’s infield. This afternoon, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman posted that the pending return of injured second baseman Ozzie Albies will likely shift current starting second baseman Whit Merrifield across the diamond to third base due to Merrifield’s fr...2024
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• Cubs roster moves: Justin Steele, Jorge López activated; Jack Neely, Daniel Palencia optioned

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The Cubs brought back two pitchers from the IL today. Justin Steele has had a 2024 season roughly comparable to his 2023 — except missing about seven or eight starts due to injuries, first with a leg injury suffered on Opening Day, then in late August an elbow issue. Jorge López had been an effective member of the bullpen until suffering a gr...2024
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• 2025 Cubs attendance watch: A deep dive into the season ticket price increases

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images We’ve got numbers and charts explaining things. As posted here last week, the Cubs have raised season ticket prices for 2025 in many sections, including more than 6 percent in the bleachers. While 12 percent of the home season remains (10 dates of the 81 scheduled), I asked BCBer Lifetime Cubs Fan to analyze the price increases. Here’s what h...2024
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• Gamethread: A’s at White Sox

White Sox Pride. | Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The two franchises with the two worst single-season records of the past 125 years face off on the South Side All right, 114 going on 115. What more is there to say? Actually, the White Sox currently are on a two-games-worse pace than the current worst team post-1899, the 1916 Philadelphia A’s: The 1916 White Sox went 18-4 (best in AL) vs the A...2024
See also White Sox injury update
• The Cubs should be stealing more bases

Nico Hoerner steals second base against the Twins | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A closer look at the team’s running tendencies relative to the rest of the league this season. One of the big developments last season was the dramatic increase in stolen bases league-wide as the rules were adjusted to encourage teams to run more. How much more did teams run? A lot. In 2022 ...2024
Continue with Nico Hoerner availability report
• Baseball history unpacked, September 11

Happy birthday, Shawn Armstrong! | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Happy birthday, Shawn Armstrong! Paul Popovich goes deep, and other stories. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorfu...2024
Continue with Shawn Armstrong injury status

• The White Sox phone it in with another shutout to the Guardians, so here are some highly personal tidbits with similes

Welcome, Burkey Boy. | Matt Dirksen/Getty Images Sean Burke debuts his arm in the majors and experiences the classic lack of South Side offense Author’s note: For tonight’s game coverage, I’ll be abandoning illeism, opting instead for a personal story due to the circumstances of late-season Chris Getz exhaustion and burnout. If you dislike that, maybe you should skip this one altogether. T...2024
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• The organist played fans out with ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ after Tuesday’s loss to the Phillies

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images Here are some more musical suggestions for an underperforming team On Tuesday night the Cubs attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth. The first two runners reached base before Seiya Suzuki sent his 11th home run of the season over the wall to pull the Cubs within two runs of the Phillies. However, like so many other efforts at the corner of Clark an...2024
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• BCB After Dark: Is Canario a part of the Cubs plans?

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks you how much will Alexander Canario play this year. It’s another Wednesday evening here at BCB After Dark: the swingin’ spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We are so glad that you decided to stop by. Come on in and relax for a while. There is no cover charge tonight. Th...2024
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• Cub Tracks’ stealth blogging

#4, the invisible man | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes, hand-selected for your possible pleasure, with commentary. What even is ‘content’? Welcome to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears,...2023
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• Cub Tracks’ best paw forward
Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images All the #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news you can use, four days a week. Clark is looking for a Clark bar and a Clark station, on Clark St. Welcome to today’s edition of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and then c...2023
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2024
"Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images We’re getting closer to real games — well, real practice games, anyway."

2023
"Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The righthander is on the road to return to the Cubs."

2022
"| Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The team is likely to see major turnover by the time they take the field at Wrigley next March 30."

• BCB After Dark: Grade Seiya Suzuki
2024

Read about Seiya Suzuki trade rumors
• BCB After Dark: Always be closing
2024

See more Porter Hodge contract rumors
• The Cubs have 14 (!) arbitration-eligible players for 2025
2024

See more articles World Series trade rumors
• 2024 Cubs final season grades
2024

See more articles Miguel Amaya salary
• Cubs roster moves: Caleb Kilian, Gavin Hollowell recalled, Jorge López to IL, Trey Wingenter optioned

Caleb Kilian | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The Cubs have shuffled the bullpen deck. The Cubs are having a bullpen game today. And so, they have reinforcements on the way: Cubs moves: Caleb Kilian has been recalled. Jorge López to the IL with a right groin strain. Gavin Hollowell recalled, Trey Wingenter optioned.— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) September 23, 2024 Caleb Kilian...2024
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• Cubs roster move: Hayden Wesneski activated, Shawn Armstrong DFA

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The Cubs have another fresh bullpen arm. The Cubs have played a bit of roster Jenga over the last few days, swapping in and out various relievers. They did it again Thursday when they activated righthander Hayden Wesneski from the 15-day injured list. To make room on the active roster, righthander Shawn Armstrong was designated for assignment...2024
See also Hayden Wesneski salary
• Your weekly moment of baseball Zen: Hispanic Heritage Edition

Isaac Paredes plays third | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A few notes about Monday’s game at Wrigley Field. The Cubs opened their penultimate homestand on Monday night against the Athletics with a bang. They won nine to two, with 18 hits and staff ace Shota Imanaga struck out a career high 11 batters en route to his 14th win of a stellar rookie campaign. All of that was l...2024
See more Isaac Paredes salary rumors
• Punchless, toothless, pointless: A’s 2, Sox 0

The A’s made it look so, so easy on Friday night. | Matt Dirksen/Getty Images With Jerry’s penchant for pinching pennies, perhaps we forego the final 14 Garrett Crochet managed to navigate four innings of one-run ball before departing, almost like a real, big-league pitcher who’s earned the right to demand things like extensions and postseason usage at the trade deadline. But even that one...2024
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• A few more thoughts about the Chicago White Sox’ historically bad season

The Campfire Milkshake is the best thing about the 2024 White Sox | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images We are witnessing something that hasn’t been done in decades — or maybe ever. You all know how historically bad the 2024 White Sox season has been. They are off today, before hosting the A’s this weekend on the South Side. (Scout ‘em if you want, the A’s visit Wrigley starting Monday.) Th...2024
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• BCB After Dark: Who’s the top prospect?

James Triantos | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks who is the Cubs’ top prospect. It’s the end of another week here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest gathering of night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come and in and sit with us. Your name is on the guest list. We’ve got a table waiting for you. The sho...2024
Continue with James Triantos trade rumors

• The Cubs have 14 (!) arbitration-eligible players for 2025
2024

Read about World Series scores
• Three up, three down: An update on the Cubs, September 23 edition

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The Cubs had some good games, and some bad ones, over the last week. The Cubs were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention Saturday, but they still have a chance to surpass last year’s 83-win total. To do so they’ll have to go 4-2 over the season’s final week against the Phillies and Reds. In the meantime, let’s have a look at wh...2024
Continue with Chicago Cubs stats
• Cubs roster moves: Justin Steele, Jorge López activated; Jack Neely, Daniel Palencia optioned
2024

Check it out Justin Steele
• The Cubs should be stealing more bases
2024

Visit the page Nico Hoerner stats
• A few more thoughts about the Chicago White Sox’ historically bad season
2024

Check it out White Sox statistics
• BCB After Dark: Who’s the top prospect?
2024

Check it out James Triantos statistics
• Baseball history unpacked, September 11
2024

Check it out Shawn Armstrong statistics
• 2024 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 141

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The Cubs come up empty in a 3-0 loss to Anthony Rizzo and the Yankees. The Cubs were so happy to see their old pal Anthony Rizzo that they rolled over and played dead to give his team a win. Not really, but it might as well have been true. It was a generally well played game and neither team was able to generate a whole lot of offense. Unfort...2024
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• 2024 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 138

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The Cubs return home from a terrific trip with a disappointing 5-3 loss. Last night’s game was simultaneously totally predictable and a little shocking to me. After an 8-1 road trip, a letdown game was so completely foreseeable. I essentially wrote about it yesterday. It isn’t surprising and it isn’t per se the gambler’s paradox. A team isn’...2024
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• Baseball history unpacked, September 2

Happy birthday, Christian Bethancourt! | Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Pappas throws a no-no and other stories. Happy birthday to Christian Bethancourt! On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseba...2024
Click for news about Christian Bethancourt scores

• BCB After Dark: Grade Seiya Suzuki
2024

See more articles Seiya Suzuki
• BCB After Dark: Always be closing
2024

Read about Porter Hodge
• 2024 Cubs final season grades
2024

See more articles Miguel Amaya
• Your weekly moment of baseball Zen: Hispanic Heritage Edition
2024

Visit the page Isaac Paredes
• 2025 Cubs attendance watch: A deep dive into the season ticket price increases
2024

Read about Red Sox
• BCB After Dark: Who’s the top prospect?
2024

Read about James Triantos
• The White Sox phone it in with another shutout to the Guardians, so here are some highly personal tidbits with similes
2024

Visit the page White Sox
• BCB After Dark: Is Armstrong a strong arm?

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks you to rate the acquisition of Shawn Armstrong. Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the grooviest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and cool off with us. We’re open all night and there’s no cover charge. There are still a few tables available. Bring...2024
Check it out Shawn Armstrong
• Cubs roster move: Luis Vázquez recalled, David Bote designated for assignment

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The Cubs are shuffling a roster spot. Luis Vázquez, a Cubs shortstop prospect, has been recalled by the team from Triple-A Iowa, according to multiple online reports. This appears to be the roster move for Vázquez: Cubs DFA David Bote to make room on the 40-man roster. They claimed RHP Gavin Hollowell from Arizona, option him to Triple-A Io...2024
Visit the page Luis Vázquez
• Outside The Confines: Waiting for a milestone

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images Aaron Judge is on the cusp of a major career moment. As of Wednesday morning, Aaron Judge is currently sitting at 299 career home runs. The major 300 home run milestone is just around the corner, and Judge will join a special club, and doesn’t seem poised to slow down any time soon. Judge’s quest (and how he adjusted his swing) is a big story of the week...2024
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• Kyle Hendricks will make a rehab start for Iowa this Thursday
Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The righthander is on the road to return to the Cubs. Cubs righthander Kyle Hendricks, the last remaining active Cub who played for the team in the 2016 World Series, had two rough years in 2021 and 2022 and has not pitched in a game at all since a three-inning outing at Milwaukee July 5, 2022. Diagnosed with a shoulder injury, Hendricks chose rehabbing i...2023
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• The Daily Belli watch: 9 days to the Cubs Spring Training opener

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images We’re getting closer to real games — well, real practice games, anyway. Today’s the day! Cubs pitchers and catchers report to the Sloan Park complex in Mesa for their first official workout, though some players were going through informal workouts earlier this week. And guess whose name was on Nico Hoerner’s lips? Cutting to the chase: Cody Bellinger is...2024
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• Marcus Stroman opts out of his Cubs contract

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images This could change everything. Marcus Stroman had an opt-out of his Cubs deal for 2024, which would have paid him $21 million. Today, the Cubs have saved that money: Confirming @JonHeyman report, Cubs righty Marcus Stroman has opted out of his deal and is now a free agent. Was due $21 million for 2024. This was a 50/50 call after a down/injured second ha...2023
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• Cubs roster move: Brandon Hughes activated from injured list, Nelson Velázquez optioned
Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images At last, the Cubs have a lefthanded reliever. Before Saturday’s game, the Cubs announced that they had activated lefthanded reliever Brandon Hughes from the injured list and optioned Nelson Velázquez to Triple-A Iowa. Hughes had some minor knee inflammation during Spring Training and appeared in just four games during camp with a 6.75 ERA. He also made th...2023
Continue with Brandon Hughes
• Cody Bellinger watch: He’s still unsigned. What will it take to get him back in the Cubs fold?

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images Let’s throw some numbers around. The photo at the top of this post was chosen for a reason. Specifically, because it’s a photo of Cody Bellinger rounding the bases after a home run against the Cardinals last July... with the words CHICAGO CUBS prominently in view behind him. That, of course, is where we want him to remain for the 2024 season, and hopefull...2024
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• Cubs non-tender Codi Heuer, Ethan Roberts and Brandon Hughes; Patrick Wisdom signed

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The injured pitchers could come back on minor-league deals. Today was the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players and here’s what the Cubs did: The Cubs are non-tendering RHP Codi Heuer, RHP Ethan Roberts and LHP Brandon Hughes. Additionally, Patrick Wisdom and the Cubs have agreed to terms on a contract, avoiding arbitration.— Andy...2023
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• David Bote is among five Cubs roster cuts

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The team reduced the spring roster to 37 Thursday. There has been much discussion here about whether David Bote would make the Opening Day roster. After a strong start to Spring Training his numbers declined a bit, and now stand at .222/.271/.578 (10-for-45), but with five home runs. Thursday, the Cubs sent Bote back to the minor-league camp. Three other ...2024
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• The Daily Belli watch: 8 days to the Cubs Spring Training opener

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images One week from tomorrow, there will be spring baseball. Pitchers and catchers had their official report date to Cubs Spring Training Wednesday and President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer held a news conference. He had things to say about Cody Bellinger. ‘‘There’s a lot of good free agents out there,’’ Hoyer said. ‘‘Certainly, it’s been a really late-ev...2024
Read about Spring Training

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2. World Series

3. Red Sox

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658. Matt Dirksen

• Outside The Confines: Waiting for a milestone
2024

See more Aaron Judge

• 2024 Cubs final season grades
2024

Visit the page Miguel Amaya
• Three up, three down: An update on the Cubs, September 23 edition
2024

See also Chicago Cubs
• Your weekly moment of baseball Zen: Hispanic Heritage Edition
2024

Read about Isaac Paredes
• Ozzie Albies return could shift Whit Merrifield to third base, per report
2024

Check it out Ozzie Albies
• 2025 Cubs attendance watch: A deep dive into the season ticket price increases
2024

Click for news about Red Sox
• Gamethread: A’s at White Sox
2024

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• The Cubs have raised 2025 bleacher season ticket prices by 6.7 percent

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The Cubs are banking on an improved team next year — or at least sustained interest. Cubs season ticket holders received their 2025 invoices Thursday afternoon. I can’t speak for other parts of the ballpark, but my bleacher season ticket price went up 6.7 percent — and that’s for two fewer games, because both games the Cubs will play next Mar...2024
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• A few more thoughts about the Chicago White Sox’ historically bad season
2024

Check it out White Sox
• The White Sox phone it in with another shutout to the Guardians, so here are some highly personal tidbits with similes
2024

Check it out White Sox
• Three up, three down: An update on the Cubs, September 9 edition

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images After a great road trip, the Cubs had a clunker of a homestand. Last week’s installment of this series celebrated a great Cubs road trip, in which they went 8-1. They won the final six games of the trip and had some great performances. Then they came back to Wrigley Field and lost four of six, and apart from Wednesday’s 12-0 no-hitter against...2024
Read about Wrigley Field

• 2024 Cubs final season grades
2024

See more Miguel Amaya whispers
• The White Sox phone it in with another shutout to the Guardians, so here are some highly personal tidbits with similes
2024

Read about White Sox
• 2024 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 141
2024

Click for news about Anthony Rizzo buzz
• 2024 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 138
2024

See more White Sox whispers
• BCB After Dark: Is Armstrong a strong arm?
2024

Continue with Shawn Armstrong whispers
• Baseball history unpacked, September 2
2024

Click for news about Christian Bethancourt buzz
• BCB After Dark: Managing the Cubs

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks how responsible is Craig Counsell for the Cubs’ start. Welcome back to BCB After Dark: the most in-demand after-party for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and celebrate with us. We promise that there won’t be a five-minute delay before we seat you. Ther...2024
See also Craig Counsell gossip
• Cub Tracks’ Brown harvest

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes, links and discussion, plus more or less scientific food for thought. Part of the future is coming to a park near you. Plus game notes and other amusements for the discerning reader. WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground ...2024
See also Cub Tracks buzz
• BCB After Dark: Which way with Javier Assad swing?

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks whether Javier Assad will pitch more as a starter or a reliever this year. It’s another Wednesday at BCB After Dark: the grooviest get-together for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Welcome everyone. New friends and old ones are all welcome. There’s no cover charge. The dress c...2024
Visit the page Javier Assad whispers
• BCB After Dark: Looking sharp?

Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks you what you think of the new Cubs spring training caps. It’s great to see you here at BCB After Dark: the grooviest get-together for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. Come on in and get out of the cold. The fellowship is warm in here. I think we even have a fireplace. Let us t...2024
See more Hector Neris whispers

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