A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005
One of the early trends of the 2026 MLB season has been a flurry of activity by teams locking up young talent via extensions. It’s a trend that dates back to early last season when the Red Sox signed Garrett Crochet and Kristian Campbell in the early going before the Padres locked up 2024’s Rookie […]
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article ran here at BCB last October. This one has updated giveaway numbers and some information about Cubs gate giveaways from 2026. I’ve written on this topic previously, but now I’ve got some new information that I wanted to pass along to you. As you know if you […]
This spring, the Cubs have given contract extensions to two key players — Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner. Other teams have done the same, primarily with young players, some even with players who have yet to play a MLB game. The Cubs have two veteran players who don’t really fit either category above, but who […]
Reminder: I’m on vacation all this week and will be a little briefer than usual this week. Thanks for your patience. The Cubs offense has showing some serious signs of life. It’s now 53 runs over eight and if we drop the high and the low, it’s 42 over six. Or if you prefer, it’s […]
Trea Turner hit Shōta Imanaga’s second pitch of the game out of Citizens Bank Park. Okay, I know what a lot of you were thinking: “Here we go again.” But that turned out not to be the case! Imanaga slammed the door on Phillies bats after that, allowing just two other hits and a walk […]
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments. Food For Thought: Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Massachusetts, Chris credits both his parents for introducing him to blues, jazz, rhythm & blues […]
It’s Wednesday evening here at BCB After Dark, the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. So glad to have you stop by. We’ve got a bit of a celebration going on here. You’re welcome to join us. There are still a few tables available. Bring your own beverage. […]
For those of you asking. Jaxon Wiggins was placed on the injured list today. The Cubs say that they’re hopeful it will be a short trip. Porter Hodge will have elbow surgery and is out for the season. Dylan Carlson elected free agency. Left-hander Marino Santy was promoted to Double-A Knoxville from High-A South Bend. […]
Go get ‘em, Shōta.
Wednesday notes… Cubs lineup: Phillies lineup: Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Jesús Luzardo, LHP Shōta Imanaga was just magnificent in his last start, last Friday against the Pirates — six no-hit innings with 10 strikeouts. His only career start vs. the Phillies happened July 3, 2024 at Wrigley Field. He allowed three runs in six innings, […]
2026 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 18 Cubs 11, Phillies 2: Shōta Imanaga dominates and Nico Hoerner drives in five Cubs vs. Phillies, Wednesday 4/15, 5:40 CT live! Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies preview, Wednesday 4/15, 5:40 CT
We’re still in small sample size territory as the calendar turns to tax day, but the Cubs are just a titch under 10 percent of the way through their season. The results have been disappointing to say the least, even though it’s early. While there are signs of optimism, the scoreboard doesn’t lie and neither […]
Reminder: I’m on vacation all this week and will be a little briefer than usual this week. Thanks for your patience. The Cubs can’t quite get momentum going. But they are also staying away from a prolonged skid. They’re treading water in the early going while they try to get as much of the team […]
The Cubs’ 10-4 win over the Phillies Tuesday evening in Philadelphia is, I think, the sort of game this team can begin to produce more often. Solid starting pitching. (Well, Colin Rea was essentially the starter after Riley Martin opened.) Six different Cubs had at least two hits. Overall: 15 hits, six walks, two doubles […]
Good morning.
Free of charge for the discerning reader. Happy birthday to King Cole and a mighty host of others, plus more baseball stories, like the Babe turning into THE Babe, Jackie Robinson debut, Hank’s first hit, and California baseball. Today in baseball history: Cubs Birthdays: Trey Wingenter, Milton Bradley, Jeromy Burnitz, Mike Diaz, Ted Sizemore, Ed […]
Good evening. Welcome back to another night of BCB After Dark: the grooviest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you decided to stop in. You’re always welcome here. The dress code is casual. The hostess can seat you now. Bring your own beverage. BCB After Dark is […]
South Bend right-hander Brooks Caple was named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week. The Cubs signed left-hander Ty Blach and right-hander Paul Campbell assigned both to Triple-A Iowa. Catcher Casey Opitz was activated by Iowa. Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs sunk the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 8-1. Connor Noland gave up a run in the first […]
Go get ‘em, Riley.
Today’s roster moves: Here The Cubs are interested in Lucas Giolito, per The Athletic. Tuesday notes… Cubs lineup: Phillies lineup: Riley Martin, LHP vs. Aaron Nola, RHP Riley Martin, clearly, is an opener tonight, starting so he can face Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, Phillies left-handed batters who will come to the plate in the […]
Cubs 10, Phillies 4: Colin Rea pitches well and everyone hits 2026 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 17 Cubs vs. Phillies, Tuesday 4/14, 5:40 CT live! Chicago Cubs vs. Philadelphia Phillies preview, Tuesday 4/14, 5:40 CT
The Cubs are loading up on left-handers as they play the Phillies the next two days — and then four times next week at Wrigley Field: You all know about Luke Little. Throws hard, but often does not know where the ball is going. In 35.1 MLB innings over the last three years, Little has […]
Most MLB teams, including the Cubs, have gone to all-digital ticketing. You can get a paper Cubs ticket… sometimes… depending on the circumstances. This began after the pandemic shut ballparks to fans in 2020. The last year the Cubs issued paper season tickets to fans was 2019, and Wrigley Field — plus most other MLB […]
Reminder: I’m on vacation all this week and will be a little briefer than usual this week. Thanks for your patience. At least once in every season, a baseball fan’s faith will be tested. Losing nine of 16 games is not particularly a sky-is-falling stretch. The easiest example that hits close to home is the […]
What more can be said about a game where your starting pitcher has the worst start of his career and the bullpen made things worse? The reasonable answer to that question is, “Not much,” but you come here for a game recap and so, you will get one for the Cubs’ terrible, horrible, no good, […]