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Anthony Rizzo Becomes 2nd Player with 30 Home Runs and 30 HBP

September 30, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch for the 30th time this season during Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds, joining Don Baylor (1986) as the only two players in MLB history to hit 30 home runs and get hit by 30 pitches in the same season, per ESPN Stats & Info. Rizzo also has exactly 30 home runs, as he has not hit one since Sept. 17 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 30 homers come as no surprise, with the 26-year-old having hit 32 last season and 23 in 2013. His league-leading hit by pitch total, ...

Takeru Kobayashi Helps Devour Entire Goat in Attempt to End Chicago Cubs Curse

September 25, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

The Curse of the Billy Goat has hovered over the Chicago Cubs for 70 years. But competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi tried to change that.He and four others powered home an entire goat on Thursday, and brief chants of “Break the curse!” could be heard from Cubs fans.Chicago is seated comfortably as a National League wild-card team, so we'll have to wait and see if those goat demons have officially been exorcised.[MLB]Read more Chicago Cubs news on BleacherReport.com

Jake Arrieta’s Dominant Shutout Sets Up Historic Finish to NL Cy Young Battle

September 23, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

The historic accolades are flowing in for Jake Arrieta. And with those, the Chicago Cubs ace is setting himself up to bring in the big one—the National League Cy Young Award.  Arrieta made Cubs history Tuesday night when he threw a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out 11 in another dominant performance. This one came against the lowly Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, and it was closed out with a weak ground-ball out and a standing ovation from the home fans. The win was Arrieta's 20th of the year, making him the first Cubs pitcher to win that many ...

Jake Arrieta 1st Pitcher in 2015 to Reach 20 Wins: Latest Details and Reaction

September 23, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

A magical season on the North Side of Chicago hit another high point Tuesday when ace Jake Arrieta threw a complete-game shutout in the Chicago Cubs' 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Arrieta became the first pitcher in the major leagues to reach the 20-win plateau and trimmed the Cubs' magic number to reach the postseason to three. The right-hander struck out 11 hitters and lowered his ERA to a sparkling 1.88 in a potential Cy Young campaign that already includes a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers in August. The Chicago Tribune shared a photo of the triumphant Arrieta celebrating with his ...

Joe Maddon’s ‘Vigilante’ Comments Bring Cubs-Cardinals Rivalry to New Level

September 19, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Just think of the possibilities. This is the foundation books are written on. It is what makes one city hate another regardless of how closely its citizens follow sports. This is how the ideas are born for great 30 for 30s, ESPN’s acclaimed sports documentary series that has already featured the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry and the Chicago Cubs’ losing history. But the Cubs are not losers at present day. They are aimed dead straight toward the postseason, and for the first time since Steve Bartman sat along the left field foul line, they are legitimate threats to take the National League pennant. That ...

Joe Maddon Likens Cardinals to Tony Soprano After Anthony Rizzo Hit by Pitch

September 19, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Things are getting heated in the National League Central, and it's not just in the standings, either. Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon went off on the St. Louis Cardinals, comparing their actions to those of fictional mobster Tony Soprano.Maddon's tirade was sparked by Cardinals reliever Matt Belisle hitting Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo during Chicago's 8-3 victory Friday. Chicago believes Belisle did so intentionally as a response to Dan Haren hitting St. Louis slugger Matt Holliday in the head during the fifth inning. Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com was there for Maddon's lecture after the game."I don't know who put out the hit," ...

Why Jon Lester, Not Jake Arrieta, Should Be Cubs’ Do-or-Die Wild Card Game Ace

September 16, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

If the second game of the Chicago Cubs-Pittsburgh Pirates doubleheader Tuesday was a preview of the National League Wild Card Game, the Cubs will take it and smile. Chicago got timely hits—including a two-out RBI single off Anthony Rizzo's bat and an RBI double from Dexter Fowler—and most of all a shutdown pitching performance by Jon Lester, who allowed one run, scattered five hits and struck out nine while twirling a complete game in the 2-1 victory. But wait a minute, you may be asking: If that was a preview of the Wild Card Game, why was Lester on the hill? Surely if ...

Kyle Schwarber Injury: Updates on Cubs Star’s Ribs and Return

September 2, 2015 by · Leave a Comment 

Chicago Cubs star Kyle Schwarber returned to the lineup on Sept. 9, after dealing with sore ribs which had kept him out of the lineup since Sept. 2. He fully joined the team after the All-Star break and immediately made Chicago a much more formidable offense. Schwarber hits for average, but he also provides another power threat alongside Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo. What’s more, his ability to play catcher or corner outfielder allows Maddon to mix and match the lineups based on the opposing pitcher. Levine described how his value goes beyond his production because he takes pressure off the other youngsters as well: While fellow rookies ...

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