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Roger Bossard Says Cubs Made Right Decision To Postpone Home-Opener

By
Aldo Soto
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The Chicago Cubs postponed their home-opener two hours before the scheduled 1:20 p.m. first pitch and head groundskeeper for the White Sox, Roger Bossard, agrees with the decision.

Bossard and the entire White Sox grounds crew did an amzing job of clearing the snow from Guaranteed Rate Field on Monday, having the surface ready by 1:30 p.m. to start the series-opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.

A remarkable job by the White Sox grounds crew.

The White Sox were in a bad spot, where they really had to get Monday’s game in against the Rays to avoid having to play a double-header.

Meanwhile, the Cubs made the call to cancel Monday’s game and play on the scheduled day off on Tuesday. Bad weather early in the season is exactly why teams have scheduled off days after their home-opener.

Yes, plenty of fans made their jokes about the Cubs and how soft they were for not playing, while the White Sox did, but Bossard explained why he thought it was the right choice as well.

Via the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Cubs had roughly an inch more of snow on their field due to the “lake effect,” Bossard said.

“They had more snow, so I get it,” he said. “[Cubs head groundskeeper Justin Spillman] was using the watering procedure, too. He’s a very knowledgeable, talented young groundskeeper. When you’ve got more than two inches of snow, when you’re at that three, three and a half level, they made the right call.

“I’m glad it was them and not me. I’m glad I only had two inches.”

Yes, the Cubs did have their sprinklers on at Wrigley Field with snow on the ground, but Bossard explains that it was the proper thing to do.

Anyway, awesome work by the Sodfather and the entire White Sox crew that got the job done on Monday.

Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace May Have Found Their Rookie QB Target

By
Erik Lambert
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matt nagy and ryan pace

The general feeling is the Chicago Bears are set at quarterback. At least where it matters. Mitch Trubisky is the unquestioned starter while Chase Daniel received $10 million over two years to become his backup. The lingering question is whether the third string slot is secure. One would think that’s the case. Tyler Bray filled that same role in Kansas City and knows the offense well. Still, one can’t help but think that Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace aren’t quite done.

That’s not to say they plan on drafting anybody high. That is far from likely. However, the odds are high they may look to grab a player they like either late in the draft or in undrafted free agency. Somebody who can come in and compete with Bray and possibly be a practice squad project for Nagy and his staff.

Based on recent information, there may be one name they have their eye on. Someone who hasn’t garnered a lot of attention from the mainstream media but may be a talent with untapped potential.

Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace keeping close tabs on Chris Streveler

A few years ago the FCS was considered slim pickings on the quarterback front. That all changed when Carson Wentz arrived from North Dakota State. Suddenly teams are paying much closer attention to that part of college football. That includes the Bears. It seems their preferred target for this year is another Dakota passer. This being Chris Streveler.

Streveler is an interesting story. He spent the first two years of his college career riding the bench in Minnesota. Believing his odds of playing weren’t favorable, he transferred to South Dakota where he has since become one of the best quarterbacks in the entire FCS. In his two seasons as a starter, he threw 54 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Not impressed? He also ran for over 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The kid is 6’3″, athletic and displays above-average arm strength. He’s a hero in that state. Why? He led South Dakota to its first-ever FCS playoff appearance. Not only that, but he was utterly brilliant during their run.

In two games Streveler toyed with his opponents.

He threw for 378 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-31 victory over Nicholls State. A week later he somehow topped that with 520 yards and five touchdowns against Sam Houston State. He also rushed for 51 yards and a touchdown in that game. Somehow his team still fell 54-42. Certainly not because of him.

Fun fact? If the Bears were to sign him next month, he’d be the second South Dakota alum they’ve employed in two seasons. The other was reserve guard Tom Compton who played some good games for them in 2017. Streveler has building blocks in place. Whether the Bears can do something with them depends on his work ethic and the development prowess of Nagy.

Michael Kopech Dominates In First Start Of The Season

By
Emmet McClain
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Earlier today the White Sox left 12 men on base while on their way to a 5-4 loss to the lowly Tampa Bay Rays. While the big league club in Chicago is in a rough stretch, the fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of prospects Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech. The latter made his season debut for the Charlotte Knights this afternoon, and he didn’t disappoint.

Michael Kopech finished with a line of 4.0 IP, 8 K’s 2BB, and 2 H on 77 pitches. While he is best known for his triple-digit fastball, today it was his slider that made mouths drop.

Don’t worry though, he still can throw straight heaters whenever he so chooses.

Right now, the question isn’t if he will come up this year, but rather when. If he keeps putting up stat lines like he did today, it will be sooner rather than later. When he does, the rotation will receive a massive boost.

The great ones have a knack for forcing the issue. So far it looks like Kopech is well on his way to doing just that.

 

With Record In Sight, Lauri Giving Fans A Reason To Watch

By
Matthew Milakovich
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Earlier this season Lauri Markkanen, or the aptly named, “Finnisher,” became the fastest player in NBA league history to reach 100 career 3-point field goals– doing so in just 41 games– besting former record holder and two-time MVP Stephen Curry by an astounding 17 games.

Now on the eve of the Bulls final regular season game in an up and down season which has simultaneously included loads of frustration and plenty of promise– Markannen included– the seventh overall pick of last year’s draft has a chance to break Kirk Hinrich’s record for 3-pointers made by a Bulls rookie (144) in a single season.

The Finland native currently sits only four treys behind Hinrich in the record books, and with two games remaining on the schedule, he seems destined to usurp his position.

Lauri Markkanen’s Incredibly Unpredictable Rookie Campaign

Coming out of Arizona most Bulls fans as you may recall probably had no, to very little idea who Lauri Markkanen was. So given that, when perhaps the highest profile trade in Bulls history went down and Chicago received Minnesota’s pick at the number seven spot, after saying, “WHAT?!” when Minnesota chose the Finnish power forward for Chicago, people all over the country rushed to their computers to see who exactly this young lanky kid with the odd foreign name was.

What they found were scouting reports that ranged from what would appear mediocre to slightly better than mediocre. They were a combination of three major things– an incredible shooter, a limited creator and a massive liability on defense.

“Great, another Nikola Mirotic,” some would say and, “FIRE GARPAX IMMEDIATELY,” most would say.

Fast forward to season’s end and Markkanen has become the fastest player ever to 100 3-pointers made and may become the Bulls rookie leader in three-pointers made. It’s also worth noting that he would have had a chance at breaking Damian Lillard’s record of 185 made 3-pointers in a rookie season had he not been limited in his minutes so heavily by a combination of injuries and overzealous tanking.

Not to mention, the cherry on top has been Markkanen’s surprisingly terrific athleticism.

The Athletic so eloquently and perfectly described this portion of his game in the not so distant past:

As far as Markkanen’s other offensive skills, he’s been a scoring threat from everywhere on the court. He’s not yet strong enough to take advantage of post-ups against big men, but he’s been very good on mismatches against guards. And his ability to put the ball on the floor continues to surprise defenders around the league. When he gets a step, he can finish at the rim with athleticism that he did not get a chance to showcase in college at Arizona.

Image result for lauri markkanen dunk gif

Markkanen still has to improve as a help-side defender. But his foot speed has been way better than advertised, and he’s held his own when he’s found himself having to guard on the perimeter. He’s been a capable defensive rebounder, which was supposed to be another weakness area for him.

The Verdict

Last summer, Bulls fans may have been clamoring for the figurative and literal head of the Bulls upper management that is the infamous Garpax. However, as we sit right now, even at the tail end of a lost season– Markkanen has been a welcome surprise and a needed addition to a young rising core of promising Bulls talent.

As much as we would hate to admit to anything that monster at the top does right, we must give credit where credit is due– Garpax got it right with the Finnisher.

 

Cubs Put Anthony Rizzo On The Disabled List

By
Aldo Soto
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anthony rizzo
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 20: First baseman Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs during the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field on September 20, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cardinals defeated the Cubs 4-3. (Photo by John Konstantaras/Getty Images)

Shoutout to Randall J. Sanders, who first noticed that the Chicago Cubs put Anthony Rizzo on the disabled list. Rizzo has missed three games in a row and was out of Monday’s lineup in the home-opener before that game was postponed.

Rizzo has been dealing with some back tightness that he said he first felt a week ago playing against the Cincinnati Reds. He tried to play through it on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, but the back pain has sidelined him since. Already missing three games, the Cubs have decided to place him on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to April 6. So, he should be back soon.

Via MLB.com.

Still no official word on who the Cubs will bring up to replace Rizzo on the 25-man roster.

It sucks that Rizzo has a back issue, but it’s certainly good that it’s happening now and not late in the year or in the postseason.

With Rizzo out for at least a few more games, expect to see more Victor Caratini at first base and maybe Ben Zobrist too. Zobrist, who has been a pleasant surprise to the 2018 season, was scheduled to start at first in place of Rizzo on Monday, but as we know the home-opener was called off.

So, Joe Maddon can still keep Zobrist’s hot bat in the lineup at first base and spread out more playing time with the crowded outfield.

Packers Wide Receiver Arrested For LAX Bomb Joke

By
Erik Lambert
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green bay packers receiver

Given how much grief the Green Bay Packers have brought the Chicago Bears over the years, it’s never a sad day when they suffer misfortunes. Aaron Rodgers going down with his collarbone injury was a minor holiday for many. Sure it’s never fun to see someone get hurt but it’s impossible to deny emotions. That said, there is no reason to feel bad about their young wide receiver, Trevor Davis.

Other than maybe feeling sorry for the fact he’s an idiot. That much became true when he got himself arrested at LAX airport in Los Angeles. So what was the reason? Smuggling drugs? Domestic violence? Possession of a firearm? Nope and nope. Turns out Davis forgot the #1 rule of post-9/11 airports.

Do not, under any circumstances, mention explosives or bomb in earshot of employees.

It’s the taboo word of this era for obvious reasons. Apparently, Davis forgot that memo. According to TMZ Sports, the wide receiver made the highly questionable judgment to crack a bomb joke in front of a ticket attendant. What happened next was fairly predictable, and more than a little hilarious.

Green Bay Packers receiver arrested for LAX “explosives” joke

“Green Bay Packers wide receiver Trevor Davis was arrested at LAX on Sunday morning after cops say he joked about smuggling a bomb into the airport … TMZ Sports has learned…

…Law enforcement sources tell us the 24-year-old — a 5th round draft pick out of Cal in 2016 — was at the Hawaiian Airlines ticket counter with a female companion to check into a flight when the attendant asked the usual security questions about their luggage.

Instead of playing it straight — we’re told Davis turned to the other woman and said, “Did you remember to pack the explosives?”

She apparently said, “No” and tried to get him to stop. He then said, “Just kidding” — but it was too late.”

If nothing else the Packers have remained entertaining for Bears fans this off-season. Not only did they failed to lure free agents Kyle Fuller and Allen Robinson north, now one of their own players raises questions about how in the world he was ever drafted by a supposedly superior organization.

Of course, the Bears have a rich history of idiots as well, so one can’t judge too much. Then again plenty of Packers fans had no issue laughing at them in those days. So in the interest of fairness, no guilt should be felt about getting maximum enjoyment out of this.

Yes, People Work, Yes, Game Was Re-Scheduled, Yes, It’s Cold, Yes, This Is The Funniest Picture From Monday’s White Sox Game

By
Aldo Soto
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There has to be a way that MLB can figure out how to schedule early-season games in either warm-cities or teams that have indoor stadiums because fans have to put up with crappy weather far too often. That was the case once again on Monday for Chicago White Sox fans and with all the circumstances surrounding the game it created an all-time bad visual on the South Side.

Yes, we’ll point out that it’s 35 degrees in Chicago and Monday’s game was already re-scheduled to an afternoon start and yes, White Sox fans who may have shown up at the original 7 p.m. start are probably working during the day, but damn does this look bad.

That was right at the start of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, so maybe a few more fans showed up, but the images are rough.

By the way, personally I don’t blame White Sox fans for not going to this game. Freezing cold and it’s the Rays? Even with Chris Archer pitching, hard pass.

Still, that’s a funny picture and actually the Rays should be used to it too.

Home-Opener Canceled At Wrigley Field, So Cubs Fans Show Up To White Sox Game

By
Aldo Soto
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Chicago Cubs fans were left a little disappointed after the team postponed its home-opener at Wrigley Field on Monday. However, that didn’t deter some fans from watching a game in Chicago.

During the weekend, the White Sox pushed their series-opener against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday to a 1:10 p.m. start. Their game started as scheduled and Cubs fans showed up to Guaranteed Rate Field.

I’m of the mindset that it’s kind of dumb to show up at a game where your team isn’t playing and you’re wearing a shirt, jersey or hat because all you want is attention. That being said, I’ll give these Cubs fans a pass for showing up to the White Sox game on Monday with their Cubs swag on.

I mean, c’mon. It’s 35 degrees and these people are still showing up. Those are some die-hard baseball fans just trying to catch a game. That goes for the White Sox fans who have been showing up to games too so far this season because it’s been shitty weather for them since Friday.

That being sad, holding up the W flag is definitely a douchebag thing to do.

Not trying to get attention at all.

Cubs-Brewers Series Review

By
Patrick Mooney
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Now that was more like it.

Despite a preseason promotion allowing only Wisconsin residents to pre-order tickets for Cubs games, Miller Park was filled primarily by Cubs fans. Those fans were rewarded with three Cubs wins in four days.

The series was bookended by shutout wins, and also featured a 9th inning comeback win for the Cubs a day after they were walked off.

On to the details.

THE GOOD:

Starting Pitching.

Jon Lester, Yu Darvish and Jose Quintana all struggled in their season debuts, which caused quite the overreaction from the fanbase. This time around, all three of them got through six innings in under 100 pitches before being forced out of the game in favor of a pinch hitter. Lester and Q pitched shutouts while Darvish allowed just one run via an Eric Thames homer.

Lester was able to get back to his mechanically sound self.

Yu Darvish showed us why the Cubs invested $126M in him.

Jose Quintana has spent his whole career being overlooked and that was the case again this weekend thanks to Lester and Darvish. Q allowed just five Brewers to reach base safely while striking out six in six shutout innings. Most importantly, he finished just as strong as he started, snapping off this filthy curveball to end the Brewers’ only threat of the game.

Kyle Hendricks struggled in the Cubs lone loss of the weekend Friday night, but it was just one bad inning that did him in, as he gave up two two-run bombs in the fifth. Outside of that one inning, the Cubs staff combined for 22 innings and one earned run. That’s about as good as it gets.

Bullpen

The Cubs biggest “weakness” has been the team’s most reliable strength in the early going.

The pen allowed just two earned runs over the weekend, one after a costly Kris Bryant error and the other after a rare misplayed flyball from Jason Heyward.

If there is a single negative to be taken from the bullpen’s performance it’s than Justin Wilson walked the bases loaded during a tied game Friday night. However, it was after he had retired the first three batters he had faced and he bounced back in his next appearance with a 1-2-3 inning.

Carl Edwards Jr. pitched three scoreless innings without walking a soul. When he and Wilson have their command going, and Brandon Morrow is looking like this:

then this bullpen will continue to be one of the best in the game.

Ben Zobrist

The 2016 World Series MVP has been widely considered the odd man out entering the season. In the early going that has turned out to be far from reality.

In 29 plate appearances, Zobrist has reached 13 times. He has a team-leading .360 batting average and the power looks to back as well.

With Anthony Rizzo dealing with a back issue, Zobrist is in the lineup today at 1st, and he’ll continue to find time in the outfield given how some of the Cubs youngsters are currently struggling. A healthy, productive Zobrist is a great sign for the Cubs.

THE BAD:

Kyle Schwarber & Ian Happ

The two former top 10 draft picks stole the show with their Spring training performance, and Schwarber continued hitting well in the Miami series, but they were both bad this weekend.

Schwarber is 0 for his last 15, but he was primarily up against reverse split righties and tough lefties. Yes, he needs to show improvement against those type of pitchers, but it’s still too early to be really worried about him.

Happ, on the other hand, has been concerning. Despite have a game-winning ninth-inning single in the Cubs Saturday comeback, his strikeout woes have continued. Strikeouts in general are overrated, but 17 K’s in 30 plate appearances is outrageous. If he has another week like this during the Cubs’ opening homestand, it’s probably time for him to be shuffled out of the leadoff spot for the time being.

All in all, it was a great weekend for the Cubs. They now sit at second place in the NL Central with 5-4 record, two games behind their next opponent, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Enjoy today’s snowy home opener, Wrigley faithful.

UPDATE:  The game has been canceled and they will play tomorrow at 1:20 p.m.

Jordan Howard Trade is Unlikely But There Is Another Concern

By
Erik Lambert
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jordan howard trade

Thankfully the Jordan Howard trade buzz is dying again after a brief scare last week. Top insiders continue to say there is nothing happening on that front. Howard was and remains a valued member of the Chicago Bears offense. Sure he doesn’t fit the new scheme of Matt Nagy perfectly, but one doesn’t throw away productive players on such a whim (please do not look up the name Greg Olsen).

Jokes aside, trading Howard doesn’t seem like something GM Ryan Pace will do. He’s shown he isn’t in the business of trading players he’s drafted. The only players he’s dealt are ones drafted by previous regimes or were distractions to the team. Howard doesn’t fit any of those criteria. So it’s okay to rest easy on that.

However, this doesn’t mean the issue with him as a long-term member of the roster is closed. There is something else that people haven’t yet considered about him.

Jordan Howard trade worries are unfounded but money is another issue

Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times brought it up during his recent draft analysis. His initial question was whether or not the Bears would draft Penn State star Saquon Barkley if he fell to #8 overall. Something fans continue to debate. However, there was another, more searching question hidden beneath the surface of that. Even if he would trade Howard, would Pace pay him?

“Only the Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott and the Steelers’ Le’Veon Bell have rushed for more yards than Howard (2,435) in his two seasons in the NFL. No one else in the top 12 was drafted as low as Howard, a fifth-round pick in 2016.

That makes him cheap, too. Howard has another two years left on his rookie deal. The Bears’ appetite for Howard’s next contract is a different debate. Perhaps it’s telling that general manager Ryan Pace has yet to devote substantial resources to the position, financial or otherwise, in his three years at the helm. He has let Matt Forte walk and selected Howard, Tarik Cohen and Jeremy Langford on the third day of the draft.”

Indeed both Howard and Cohen are on rookie contracts.

Benny Cunningham returned on the cheap. To this point, Pace has devoted the lion share of salary cap elsewhere on offense, particularly wide receiver and tight end. He also must set aside a considerable amount for the new contract Mitch Trubisky will command a few years down the road.

So where does that leave Howard? If he continues his run of success he’ll be in his right to demand top dollar. That means the Bears would likely have to pay him upwards of $8-9 million per season. Much of that depends on what Le’Veon Bell receives from the Steelers or another team within the next year. While Howard will have earned the deal, it’s a fair question to ask if Pace would pay it.

He’s proven quite good at managing the salary cap since he took over but there’s only so much money to go around. Sooner or later, if things progress as hoped, the Bears may have to make a sacrifice. Letting Howard walk in free agency would be high on that list.

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