ESPN.com presents Cubs http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs 60 en-us Tue, 21 May 2013 03:32:48 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 The return of Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza to the mound on Tuesday is a big moment for the organization. ESPNChicago.com Cubs reporters Jesse Rogers and Bruce Levine examine the implications: JR: Bruce, I'm thinking about the long-term implications of Garza's return more than the short-term. It's not like the starting staff has been bad and they're in need of a huge boost from him, although the timing is pretty good for his return considering Carlos Villanueva has been trending the wrong way.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17038/what-are-the-implications-of-garzas-return Mon, 20 May 2013 12:01:48 EDT 17038 The Chicago Cubs' minor league system has enjoyed a recent resurgence in the past two years. Going from an afterthought to one of the more talked-about farm systems in the game, credit goes not only to the current front office and senior vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod, but also to Tim Wilken, who was in charge of a very fruitful 2011 draft and is currently a special assistant to the president and general manager. With only six weeks of results in, outside of a major injury or a complete degradation of talent, a scouting report on any minor leaguer isn't going to be much different than what it was when the season started.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17021/checking-in-with-intriguing-cubs-prospects Mon, 20 May 2013 11:19:11 EDT 17021 CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs starter Travis Wood felt he only made one mistake on Sunday. Unfortunately for him, it cost his team the game. With two out and a man on in the seventh inning, New York Mets rookie Juan Lagares drove a two-strike changeup into the left field stands off Wood to tie the game at three. It was Lagares’ first career home run. “As soon as it left the hand, I didn’t like it,” Wood said. “I was hoping he would pop it up or something.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17019/one-mistake-proves-costly-for-wood-cubs Sun, 19 May 2013 18:55:37 EDT 17019 CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago Cubs' 4-3 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday at Wrigley Field. How it happened: After falling behind 3-1, the Mets used the long ball to overtake the Cubs. Mets centerfielder Juan Lagares hit his first career major league home run, a two-run shot, to tie the game at three. Then in the eighth, the Mets scored for the third consecutive inning, as Daniel Murphy hit a solo shot for the game-winner.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17014/rapid-reaction-mets-4-cubs-3 Sun, 19 May 2013 16:58:45 EDT 17014 CHICAGO -- Starlin Castro is undoubtedly one of the most talented players on the Chicago Cubs. But he is one of the more criticized players on the team as well. The young shortstop has six errors and is putting up a .279/.310/.397 line on the season. While those numbers are a little disappointing (although errors can be a very misleading statistic in regards to defensive evaluation), people often forget that Castro is 23, more than seven months younger than teammate Anthony Rizzo.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17012/castros-potential-still-not-quite-fulfilled Sun, 19 May 2013 15:03:51 EDT 17012 CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs got some good news prior to Saturday’s game, when it was announced that pitcher Matt Garza would return to the rotation on Tuesday and make his first start since July. After hearing that news, Garza’s teammate, Scott Feldman, showed him the standard the Cubs staff has set this season by once again delivering a dominating performance. This time it was the Mets who Feldman stymied, as he tossed 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball, scattering seven hits, while striking out six and walking only one on the day.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17010/strong-cubs-rotation-set-to-get-stronger Sat, 18 May 2013 17:57:28 EDT 17010 CHICAGO -- A quick look at the Chicago Cubs' 8-2 win over the New York Mets on Saturday at Wrigley Field. How it happened: Through three innings, the Cubs managed only one hit off Mets starter Jeremy Hefner. However, they broke through in the fourth with four runs, the big blow coming on a two-out, two-run double off the bat of pitcher Scott Feldman. Feldman was brilliant once again on the mound as well. He tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings, giving up seven hits, while striking out six and walking only one.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17006/rapid-reaction-cubs-8-mets-2 Sat, 18 May 2013 15:28:52 EDT 17006 CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs will activate pitcher Matt Garza off the disabled list on Tuesday to start that night against the Pittsburgh Pirates, manager Dale Sveum said before Saturday's game. "I'm excited and happy I don't have to rehab again," Garza said. "This actually means something, so I can't wait. It's been 10 months in the making, I'm excited to get back out there." An elbow injury sidelined Garza last July, and while rehabbing this spring, he suffered a lat strain and has been on the disabled list since the start of the season.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17004/matt-garza-back-for-tuesday-start Sat, 18 May 2013 13:29:32 EDT 17004 CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs third base coach David Bell took responsibility for a bad decision that cost the Cubs a base runner and a chance to tie Friday's game against the New York Mets, who hung for a 3-2 win. The Cubs had the potential tying run on second base with one out in the eighth inning when David DeJesus hit a line drive single to former Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd in right. Darwin Barney hesitated a bit and then took off around third base with Bell's blessings toward home plate.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/17000/cubs-test-byrds-arm-and-come-out-losers Fri, 17 May 2013 18:53:17 EDT 17000 Edwin Jackson, who signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the Cubs last winter, continued to struggle at Wrigley Field on Friday despite turning in his longest performance of the season. Jackson pitched into the seventh inning for the first time in 2013 before being lifted after allowing a go-ahead single to Mets starter and winner Matt Harvey as New York held on for a 3-2 win. Jackson is 1-6 in eight starts in Wrigley with an ERA above 8.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/16996/jacksons-struggles-at-wrigley-continue Fri, 17 May 2013 18:31:42 EDT 16996