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New York Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Cubs' struggles against left-handed starters puts focus on another area of need
CHICAGO — Entering play on Saturday, the Chicago Cubs had faced 19 left-handed starters and Michael Busch had started in just six of those games. Craig Counsell decided to give him his seventh Saturday afternoon. 'Sometimes you gotta change it up,' Counsell said. 'You gotta do something different. I thought today was a day with the way Michael has been swinging the bat, so gotta do something different.' Advertisement Busch has been on a tear of late and went 4-for-4 with three home runs on Friday. He quickly made Counsell look good as he homered off St. Louis Cardinals lefty starter Matthew Liberatore in his first at-bat, then doubled in his second. On the season, Busch has a 162 wRC+, fifth in MLB. Busch, always understated, didn't take too much away from earning the start on Saturday. 'I've felt very comfortable against lefties,' Busch said. 'We just have a group that no matter who's pitching, no matter who's in the lineup, whoever is in there, try to do your best.' The Cubs scored two runs in five innings against Liberatore, then another run off lefty reliever Steven Matz and an unearned run against JoJo Romero. Clearly, the Cardinals' plan was to throw lefties at the group and hope they could contain a potent offense. Despite a solid effort against those lefties, the Cubs fell short on this day, losing 8-6 after Brad Keller had a rare poor outing, blowing a two-run lead in the eighth. Keller and the relievers aren't an issue for this team, though. Especially on a day when Counsell went with a bullpen game with Jameson Taillon down for at least a month. The Cubs have been up front with their desire to add starting pitching. They will also continue to build depth in the bullpen. But another area they'll monitor for upgrades is their bench. They need a right-handed hitter, or even better, a player with defensive versatility who can also hit lefties. For the first month of the season, the Cubs could do no wrong against left-handed pitching. By wRC+, no team has put together a better month against lefties than the Cubs' 145 mark in March and April. But since that point, they've posted a 91 wRC+, a middling mark that has them 16th in baseball during that span. 'Certainly it's a trend we've talked about and noticed,' team president Jed Hoyer said. 'We have been more effective against right-handed starters than left-handed starters. You need to be able to feel good in any kind of game and situation. Certainly, we're a little bit imbalanced in that regard right now. Some of that is who we've faced.' Advertisement Over the last month-plus, the Cubs have faced some of the best lefties in baseball. MacKenzie Gore, Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez. Twice they've faced Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Jesús Luzardo and Liberatore. Is this an actual issue or have the Cubs just been facing a lot of great lefties lately? 'It's both of those things,' Counsell said. 'We have faced some very good left-handed pitching lately and we haven't swung the bats as well against left-handed pitching.' In March and April, Carson Kelly had a 164 wRC+ against lefties and Ian Happ was at 161. Since then, Kelly has posted an 82 wRC+ against lefties and Happ has delivered a rough 49 mark. Since being recalled in the middle of May, Matt Shaw has a 26 wRC+ against lefties. 'I know we want to be the best at everything,' Counsell said. 'We've just been really good against right-handed pitching because we have a couple hitters in Pete (Crow-Armstrong) and Michael Busch, two very good left-handed hitters, and they're doing what you'd expect them to do.' Against righties (entering Saturday), Bush has a 180 wRC+ and Crow-Armstrong is at 167, the top two on the team. But against lefties. Busch is at 35 and Crow-Armstrong 70. Busch had a nice day Saturday, but Crow-Armstrong went 0-for-4 with a walk, facing lefties in each plate appearance. Those are tough matchups for Crow-Armstrong and Busch. What the Cubs need is more of what Kelly has looked like of late. The Cubs' primary catcher went 2-for-5 with a double and a homer, both hits off righties, and has looked much closer to the April version. Justin Turner, on the team largely to hit lefties, had a 93 wRC+ against them before going 0-for-1 against a lefty Saturday. The team also needs Dansby Swanson to be more consistent. Swanson is hitting lefties, but primarily when the bases are empty. In those situations against lefties, he has a 193 wRC+. When there are runners on base, it's 52. In the first inning Saturday, Swanson came up with the bases loaded and one out and struck out against Liberatore. Advertisement 'I think that's very reasonable to expect to improve,' Counsell said. 'You need your right-handers. That's the name of the game there.' There's no doubt that adding a right-handed hitter with some versatility will be on the docket for Hoyer and company. With a largely set lineup, either improving the bench or finding an upgrade at third while moving Shaw to a bench role are the most likely avenues. It's not the number one priority, but in a season where the Cubs want to cover any weaknesses and improve their chances in October, this is becoming a clear area of need. (Top photo of Dansby Swanson: Geoff Stellfox / Getty Images)
Washington Post
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Pozo's pinch-hit homer in the 8th powers Cardinals past Cubs, Busch 8-6
CHICAGO — Yohel Pozo pinch-hit a three-run homer to cap St. Louis' five-run eight-inning rally, and the Cardinals came back to top the Chicago Cubs 8-6 on Saturday, ending a four-game slide. Pozo's drive off Brad Keller reached Waveland Avenue to put St. Louis ahead 8-5. Alec Burleson, who finished with three hits, cracked a solo shot to start the rally.
Associated Press
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Happ homers twice as the Cubs hold off Raleigh and the Mariners for a 10-7 win
CHICAGO (AP) — Ian Happ homered twice and drove in four runs, and the Chicago Cubs held off Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners for a 10-7 victory on Saturday. Raleigh opened the ninth inning with his major league-leading 30th homer after he also went deep twice on Friday. Luke Raley hit a two-out single for Seattle, but Daniel Palencia closed it out when he retired Donovan Solano on a foul popup. Michael Busch, Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong also homered for Chicago on a 94-degree day at Wrigley Field with a 20-mph wind blowing toward center field. Brad Keller (3-0) got five outs for the win for the NL Central leaders. Solano and Raley each had three hits and two RBIs for Seattle, which won 9-4 in the series opener on Friday.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WNBA Legend Candace Parker Turns Heads After Major Personal News
WNBA Legend Candace Parker Turns Heads After Major Personal News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Sky announced last week that Candace Parker, who helped win the 2021 WNBA championship for the franchise, would have her jersey retired by the organization on August 25. Advertisement Parker was a legendary figure both for the Sky and WNBA in general. She won two MVP awards and three championships, and she earned 10 All-WNBA selections and made seven All-Star teams during her 16-year career before retiring last offseason. On the heels of this major personal news, Parker was a guest at the Chicago Cubs game on June 1 against the Cincinnati Reds. There, she threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the contest. She caught plenty of attention for both her presence at Wrigley Field, as well as the pitch that she threw. Fans took to social media to respond to this announcement, and several had glowing compliments of Parker. Advertisement "A WNBA legend graces the building today," one fan replied. "Greatness in the air." "Candace Parker gets a big ovation as she comes out for a ceremonial first pitch," another fan wrote. "Fires one from the mound over the plate." "When you see a GOAT respect her!!" a fan commented. "I love Candace Parker always looks good 😍😍." Former Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3).Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images "Candace Parker threw out the first pitch to Brad Keller? Two Chicago GOATs," replied one fan. "NAPERVILLE CENTRAL LEGEND 🐐," another fan wrote. "I literally just went to the Cubs game yesterday and left Chicago this afternoon and WDYM I JUST MISSED CANDACE PARKER THROWING OUT THE FIRST PITCH BY A DAY😭😭," a fan complained. Advertisement Parker's jersey retirement will take place on August 25, when the Las Vegas Aces come to Chicago to play the Sky. Parker won the 2023 WNBA championship with the Aces under head coach Becky Hammon, so she should see plenty of familiar faces at Wintrust Arena. Related: Angel Reese Praised by Chicago Sky Teammate After Second Straight Win Related: Cameras Catch Angel Reese's Reaction After Scoring on DiJonai Carrington This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
31-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Ben Brown stars as the Cubs blank the Reds 2-0 for a 1-hit shutout
CHICAGO — Drew Pomeranz, Ben Brown, Brad Keller and Daniel Palencia combined on a one-hitter, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 on Saturday. Chicago used Pomeranz as an opener in front of Brown, and the strategy worked on a cool, blustery afternoon at Wrigley Field. Pomeranz pitched a 1-2-3 first before Brown struck out nine in six dominant innings for the NL Central leaders.
