Friday, April 3, 2026
✶ Untold Chicago Stories ✶ Amazon Music
Home Blog Page 2868

Tommy La Stella Gets First Start, While Cubs Star Misses Second Game In A Row

By
Aldo Soto
-

It was just a matter of time before Tommy La Stella got in the lineup and the day has arrived. The lefty is starting at second base for the Cubs against Milwaukee Brewers right-handed starter Zach Davies.

While La Stella gets his first start of 2018, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo is out of the lineup for the second game in a row. Rizzo was scratched a few hours before Friday night’s game with tightness in his lower back.

Victor Caratini gets his second consecutive start at first, as he fills in for Rizzo.

La Stella has been a machine off the bench since getting traded to the Cubs in 2015, and that has held up so far this season. In the small sample size, La Stella has gone 3-for-6, with two doubles and two RBIs.

From 2015-17, La Stella has a slash line of .273/.362/.428, against right-handed pitching in 304 at-bats.

With La Stella at second, Javier Baez gets his first start at shortstop this year, meaning Addison Russell has his first day off of the season.

Yu Darvish is making his second start for the Cubs and let’s hope it’s much better than his debut against the Miami Marlins.

One last thing, Kris Bryant is doing Kris Bryant things to start the season.

Decent.

Javier Baez Continues To Be A Wizard On The Bases

By
Aldo Soto
-

With a new set of coaches for the Chicago Cubs in 2018, being aggressive on the bases was reinforced heading into the season. The team stole a lot of bases in spring training, but Javier Baez has taken the mentality to the next level.

It helps that Baez has been hitting the ball against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first two games of their four-game series, but Baez is pushing the limits of aggressiveness running the bases. First, there was Thursday’s base-running journey that ended in another electric slide at the plate.

Jon Lester hit a ball up the middle and thanks to some magic spin on the ball it squirted into shallow center field. Baez started the play at first, but he wasn’t content by simply going to third base.

Baez was at it again Friday night, tying the game at four by once again testing the Brewers’ defense. On a hard hit ball to the right-center field gap, Baez probably shouldn’t have tried to go for a triple, but he did. The result? A game-tying, little-league home run.

There’s a fine line between reckless and aggressiveness. Baez is tip-toeing that line, but making it work to his advantage and the Cubs will most certainly welcome it.

Should Cameron Meredith Have Bet on Himself? The Stats Are Revealing

By
Erik Lambert
-
cameron meredith
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 09: Cameron Meredith #81 of the Chicago Bears catches a touchdown pass against Patrick Robinson #25 of the Indianapolis Colts during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 9, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The dice are cast now. Cameron Meredith accepted an offer sheet from the New Orleans Saints. It’s a two-year deal that could pay him upward of $9.6 million. This means he can make a maximum of $4.8 million over the next two seasons whether it’s for the Chicago Bears or the Saints. Most believe Chicago will match this offer.

It makes sense. Assumptions were Meredith could get upwards of $5-6 million per year. Matching this deal means GM Ryan Pace will get him for slightly less than that. Considering Meredith is still just 25-years old, this can be considered a win for the Bears. At the same time, it’s left many people to wonder. Did the young receiver make a mistake?

There are some who think Meredith would’ve been better off just maintaining the status quo. That is to say play the 2018 season under his tender contract, which is one year at $1.9 million. He could then deliver a strong rebound year and likely garner upwards of $8-10 million as an unrestricted free agent in 2019. An easy thing to say, but do the stats favor him taking such a gamble?

Cameron Meredith would’ve faced huge challenge betting on himself

In order to answer this question, it’s important to get a gauge on how wide receivers have fared coming back from a torn ACL. One must note how they fared the season prior to the injury, the season they were hurt, and then the season of their return. Did the numbers following the injury dip, stay the same or improve? Here are a few notable names who offer a surprising revelation.

Keenan Allen (2017)
  • 2015:  725 yards, 4 TDs
  • 2016:  Injury
  • 2017:  1,393 yards, 6 TDs
Jordy Nelson (2016)
  • 2014:  1,519 yards, 13 TDs
  • 2015:  Injury
  • 2016:  1,257 yards, 14 TDs
Kelvin Benjamin (2016)
  • 2014:  1,008 yards, 9 TDs
  • 2015:  Injury
  • 2016:  941 yards, 7 TDs
Reggie Wayne (2014)
  • 2012:  1,355 yards, 5 TDs
  • 2013:  Injury
  • 2014:  779 yards, 2 TDs
Kenny Britt (2012)
  • 2010:  775 yards, 9 TDs
  • 2011:  Injury
  • 2012:  589 yards, 4 TDs

The numbers offer a mixed view. The two most recent examples, Allen and Nelson, actually improved their numbers after the injury than the years before. Meanwhile Benjamin, Wayne and Britt all saw noticeable dips in their production. Meredith had 888 yards and four touchdowns in 2016. Neither can be considered an insurmountable mark to surpass this season.

However, there were several factors for Meredith to consider.

First is the arrivals of Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel. They are virtually guaranteed to eat into the number of pass targets he would’ve seen. A problem Allen and Nelson didn’t really have to contend with. They were already established #1 guys. Adding to that? Nelson and Allen were also familiar with their respective quarterbacks. Meredith has never played a single snap with Mitch Trubisky.

Meredith is making a clear decision. He’ll take two years of decent money, let his knee fully heal and then take a chance in free agency in 2020 when he’s 27-year old. Not a bad plan, if not a bold one either.

The Milwaukee Brewers Have The Funniest Player You’ve Never Heard Of (And Ben Zobrist Would Agree)

By
Gus
-

I’ll be the first one to tell you that I give the Milwaukee Brewers a ton of shit throughout the course of the season. I think their fans are fair weather, their social media team is garbage, and any team that has Ryan Braun on it immediately is a dumpster fire in my book.

However, the Brewers have a player in their organization that is so damn funny, I may be willing to overlook a few things.

That man’s name is Tim Dillard and he is a 16-year MLB veteran. Well, I should clarify that. Dillard has been a professional baseball player for 16 years but hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2012. However, not seeing big league action in over five seasons has not stopped Dillard from being one of the funniest dudes in all of baseball.

First off, let’s point out the fact that Dillard looks like Will Ferrell and Jake Arrieta’s love child. Second, you have to have a sense of humor to be OK with the fact that you’re probably going to be a AAA pitcher for the rest of your career and last (but most importantly) this guy is f*cking hilarious.

Dillard and Cubs utility man Ben Zobrist have become close friends through their spirituality. The two became friends at Community Bible Church in Nashville, Tenn., where they are both members, and immediately hit it off.

Their relationship grew throughout the years to the point that the two of them now host their own Podcast “Show and Go” aimed at young baseball players learning “the game within the game.”

Zobrist and Dillard have a bond that is…..unique.

Do yourself a favor and go follow Dillard on Twitter and check out his YouTube videos. It’s unfortunate he has to be part of such a second-class organization because the man is hysterical. He’s even paid a small tribute to the Cubs last season when he did a pretty damn good Harry Cary impersonation (much better then that bullshit Ryan Dempster does.)

 

Anthony Rizzo Scratched From Cubs Lineup

By
Aldo Soto
-

The Chicago Cubs made a change to their lineup a few hours prior to their Friday night game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Anthony Rizzo has been scratched from the starting nine, as he’s dealing with some back tightness.

Ben Zobrist remains the leadoff man, but now Kyle Schwarber will bat third.

Victor Caratini gets his first start at first base in 2018.

Matt Nagy Aims High In Revealing Coach He Wants To Beat Most

By
Erik Lambert
-
matt nagy

Matt Nagy is nothing like John Fox. Being 20 years younger is certainly one reason for that. He’s much more built for the current generation of football fans. He’s more open, honest and not afraid to speak his mind. A “straight shooter” as Kyle Long called him. Fox never liked to give a direct answer. He mistrusted the media and kept his words to dull platitudes. Nagy, while still careful about revealing secrets, is far less conservative in his words.

That much was on display during his opening press conference. Then it came up again when he sat down for an interview on ESPN’s NFL Live. He talked about the usual things. Most of them centering on how he’s settling into the new job, particularly regarding Mitch Trubisky and the new offense.

Things got interesting though when the topic shifted to where he came from. The Andy Reid coaching tree has been some of the most fertile ground for great NFL coaches in recent years. He’s hoping to live up to that tradition. That’s why it was enthralling to hear his answer on which coach he wants to beat most moving forward.

Matt Nagy brilliantly sets expectations for Bears with Pederson challenge

On the surface, this was just a good-natured nod to an old friend. Nagy and Doug Pederson coached together for a long time in Kansas City. It makes sense that the Bears head coach would want to show his former peer what he can do. However, there is far more depth to this move than people think.

Smart head coaches don’t view the media as an enemy to be feared. Instead, they see it as a tool to be used, often to motivate their own players. Jimmy Johnson was among the best at this. He once called into a radio station in the Dallas area to guarantee his Cowboys would beat San Francisco in the NFC championship. They did.

Nagy didn’t just challenge a friend with this statement on national television. He set the expectation for his team. He made it clear to the Bears that Pederson and the Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning world champions, are the goal. Beating them is the top priority. Not the Packers. Not the Vikings. The team that holds the Lombardi trophy.

Nagy was reportedly known for his leadership and motivational capabilities. This is a great example of both on display. It will be interesting to see how the players respond.

Best Surprise Of The Season Is Tonight’s Leadoff Hitter For Cubs

By
Aldo Soto
-

Ben Zobrist was the leadoff hitter in Tuesday night’s lineup for the Chicago Cubs, but that game against the Cincinnati Reds was rained out. However, we will see him debut as the leadoff man this season Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Zobrist has been one of the best surprises for the Cubs early this season, hitting the ball hard in every game he’s started. That continued last night, when Zobrist had two more hits registered above 100 mph off the bat.

Zobrist will start in right field, while Kyle Schwarber is back in left. Jason Heyward smashed his first home run of the year last night and he’s in center, which means Ian Happ will be on the bench along with Albert Almora Jr.

It is very possible that Cubs manager Joe Maddon gives Happ a few more days off, as the second-year player looks completely lost at the plate. Happ did get a hit in Thursday’s 8-0 win, but struck out four more times in six at-bats.

His strikeout rate early in the season? Ugly.

That’s 14 strikeouts in 24 plate appearances for Happ through six games.

As for their opponent, Brandon Woodruff is making his first start of the season. He has two relief appearances already in 2018, allowing two runs on six hits in 3.1 innings. In 2017, Woodruff made eight starts for the Brewers, putting up a 4.81 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 43 innings.

Woodruff made one start against the Cubs last year, giving up four earned runs in five innings.

For the Cubs, Kyle Hendricks is coming off a solid six-inning start against the Miami Marlins. He allowed one run in that game. In 2017, Hendricks made five starts against the Brewers. He pitched a total of 28 innings, allowing 13 earned runs.

Hendricks was much better in the last three starts against Milwaukee in 2017, only giving up five runs in 17 innings.

The Brewers announced that their closer Corey Knebel has been placed on the disabled list after suffering a hamstring injury Thursday night.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell later said the closer would be out at least six weeks.

Knebel saved 39 games for the Brewers last year.

Ryan Pace Deals With An Old Friend In This Draft Trade Projection

By
Kyle Yates
-
chicago bears draft

Opinions about what the Bears should do with the #8 overall pick in the draft range from taking Quenton Nelson, to taking Harold Landry to trading down if a QB-needy team comes calling.

NFL Draft Experts are having way too much fun this time of year trying to figure out just what a team might do in 20 days from now. Some experts are throwing “stuff” at a wall and hoping it sticks, while others are making educated guesses based on what they’re hearing from their connections around the league.

Chad Reuter, a writer for NFL.com, took a stab at a 5-round mock draft recently that included trades. He had three quarterbacks going with the first three picks, but then put the Bears in a shocking situation with that #8 pick.

He has Mickey Loomis, Pace’s old mentor/boss, giving Ryan a call and moving up from #27 overall to #8. This move was to select Baker Mayfield to be the heir apparent to Drew Brees.

Mayfield is a polarizing prospect because of some of his antics off the field, and sometimes on the field, but mostly because of his size. Most experts believe that Mayfield does not have the height to play the quarterback position, as he only stands at 6’1″. The fit in New Orleans is obvious though, as Drew Brees stands at a similar height and has had unquestionable success in Sean Payton’s offense.

The move makes sense for the Saints, as Drew Brees is close to retirement, and they need to think about the future. But does this move make sense for the Bears?

In the mock draft, both of the Bears’ “dream” targets are off the board. Bradley Chubb went to the Broncos at #5 and Quenton Nelson went to the Colts at #6. With both of Pace’s assumed top choices gone when he’s on the clock, he has the choice of either taking someone like Tremaine Edmunds or trading down and acquiring picks. Reuter chose to see what the scenario of trading down looked like.

The Chiefs traded from No. 27 to No. 10 to get Patrick Mahomes last year, giving up a 2017 third-round pick and a 2018 first-rounder. Mayfield’s talents and Drew Brees‘ ability to mentor him could establish a great situation for the team and player.

While Reuter points out what the Chiefs gave up last year to move up, it’s unclear exactly what the Bears receive in this trade down scenario. Reuter does give the Bears a 3rd-round pick this year, which they currently do not have because of the Trubisky trade, but does not specify beyond that.

Is a 1st round pick swap, a 3rd-round this year and a 1st next year worth it to move out of the Top 10 all the way down to 27? The argument would be that the Saints are a good team and are gonna most likely be in the 20’s next year for that 1st rounder…

If you were Ryan Pace, would you make this trade? If not, what would it take to move down to 27?

Bob Costas Calling Out Cardinals Fans For Leaving Early Warms My Heart

By
Aldo Soto
-

Yes, it’s true that Bob Costas can be an arrogant jackass and even as Cubs fans we’ve bashed him before for criticizing Pedro Strop a few years ago, but him calling out Cardinals fans for leaving early in Thursday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks just warms my heart.

As it turns out, the best fans in baseball don’t have much faith in their team, as Busch Stadium quickly emptied after the eighth inning of Thursday night’s game. Must have been a huge deficit for St. Louis, right?

Nope, the Cardinals were only down 3-1, but the best fans in baseball had seen enough. Costas jumped all over them.

Great way to show support on the team’s home opener. Must be the Cardinal Way.

Top Expert Hears Bears Are Eyeing These Two Major Draft Prospects

By
Erik Lambert
-
chicago bears draft

Chicago Bears draft plans remain a huge mystery. It’s become a sort of running joke at how much effort GM Ryan Pace puts into masking his real intentions. His maneuver to get Mitch Trubisky last year was considered a masterstroke of draft espionage by two Hall of Fame GMs. Suffice to say there’s just no telling what Pace is going to do.

He’s traded up in each of the past two drafts. Could he do it again? Or what about a trade down? The Bears don’t have a third round pick this year. It would make sense to try to recoup it. Then again Pace himself has said he doesn’t like to pass up opportunities to get a serious difference-maker for his team. A trade down would do that.

Conventional wisdom says the Bears stay at #8. If that’s the case, who could they possibly have in mind for that pick? Odds are they have a short list of names in mind. Perhaps as many as five or six. However, they likely have a couple favorites.

MMQB tags two names as prime Chicago Bears draft targets at #8

Albert Breer of the MMQB sat down in his latest podcast to talk about what he’s hearing with the top 10 teams in the draft and who they’re targeting. Once he got to the Bears there was no surprise, at least at first.

“Number eight, the Chicago Bears, the names I’ve heard connected to them? Quenton Nelson. That makes a lot of sense because Harry Hiestand, the former Notre Dame offensive line coach is now the Bears offensive line coach. He coached Nelson over the last four years.

Nelson would make a lot of sense for the Bears at number eight. If Denzel Ward, the corner from Ohio State is there and Nelson is not? I think Ward would be a strong consideration to be that pick.”

Nelson is the hot name among Bears fans. For good reason too. Many draft experts consider him the best overall prospect in the class. He’s a hulking, athletic guard with a nasty streak who rarely makes mistakes in his blocking. He’d plug in at next to Cody Whitehair right away and likely be a Pro Bowler for the next decade.

Ward, on the other hand, is a mild surprise. At 5’10” he doesn’t exhibit the desired size defensive coordinator Vic Fangio seems to covet. Then again there’s no denying in terms of pure talent that Ward has special qualities. He ran a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash and jumped 39 inches in the vertical. He’s a rare athlete who showed at Ohio State that he can match up against anybody in man coverage and shut them down. Still, he struggles against bigger receivers both in pass and run situations.

He would be a tremendous addition alongside Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara, but it’s little wonder that Nelson is the preferred target. Taking an undersized corner that high carries risks.

1...2,8672,8682,869...3,195Page 2,868 of 3,195

Subscribe to our Newsletter

✶ An Unfiltered Voice For Chicago Sports Fans ✶

Chicago Sports News

About Us

© Sports Mockery, Inc. 2026