Forget Kimbrel, Cubs seeking relief from within as bullpen injuries mount
With closer Brandon Morrow out and Pedro Strop limping, Chicago needs depth. But Theo Epstein says he won't pay for free agents when he'll have plenty of arms in Triple-A.
2019 ScheduleAll times ET
2019 Schedule
Predicting the next top-100 player for all 30 teams
From top prospects and rising young stars to bounce-back candidates, which players who missed the MLB Rank cut could soon find a place on the list?
MLB Rank: Biggest surprises, other reaction to our top 100
You picked who? Where? We break down some of the questions to come out of the rankings -- and ask you to weigh in as well.
MLB Rank 50-1: Trout stays No. 1; Bryce bounced from top 10
A major shake-up brings a new crew of All-Stars to the forefront, with some of the game's biggest names on the outside looking in.
Cubs closer Strop to sit out a week (hamstring)
Chicago Cubs reliever Pedro Strop strained his right hamstring on his final pitch against the Los Angeles Angels Saturday, leading the team to shut down the closer for at least a week of spring games.
Why Willson Contreras' makeover might hold key to Cubs' season
While the rebound seasons of Kris Bryant and Yu Darvish get the attention, how Chicago's catcher fares will go a long way in deciding the Cubs' fate.
MLB Rank 51-100: Rising phenoms vie with veteran stars
Leading off our countdown of the game's best, youngsters duel with historic greats. Which players landed on the back half of our list?
Extensions are MLB's new normal. Are Bryant, other Cubs next?
With players across the league opting for sure money over the uncertainty of free agency, the time could be right for Chicago to lock up some of its controllable stars.
Lester named Cubs' Opening Day starter again
Jon Lester has been named the Cubs' Opening Day starter for the fourth time.
Buster Olney talks to ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers about the sense of pressure felt by the Cubs, their focus on 2019 and more
Buster Olney talks to ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers about the sense of pressure felt by the Cubs, their focus on 2019, the criticisms the club heard a year ago and much more.
Arrieta's former teammates react to his revealing video (1:15)
The player we should talk about more in 2019 on all 30 teams
From underappreciated stars to veterans who get taken for granted and up-and-comers to watch, here's a guy from each team worthy of your attention.
Lies, damn lies, and projections
The Cubs are the latest team to be unhappy about their poor PECOTA projection. But is it silly to care?
Cubs' Darvish 'felt pretty good' in spring debut
After dealing with various arm injuries and trying to adjust to a new team, Yu Darvish was pleased with his spring debut. Pumped, in fact.
Why doing interviews in English is part of Yu Darvish's comeback plan
As Darvish aims to hit the reset button on a rough first year in Chicago, how he communicates before and after his starts says a lot about what he's trying to do on the mound.
Lester on pitch clock: You can't change baseball
Count Cubs starter Jon Lester among those unimpressed by the use of a pitch clock, or openers, or bringing the DH to the National League.
BBTN: Harper Waiting Game, Pressure Players
Before hearing from Manny Machado (44:58) & Mike Trout (49:25), Buster talks to Bob Nightengale about the Bryce Harper waiting game and much more (4:00). Plus, Meghan Montemurro with some "Inside Heat" on the Phillies' perspective (14:36) and Tim Kurkjian weighs in on the players, teams and managers facing the most pressure in 2019 (22:41).
Cubs' Russell plays for first time since ban
Cubs shortstop Addison Russell played for the first time since his suspension for violating Major League Baseball's domestic abuse policies.
Bryant embracing detractors after struggles last season (1:02)
Motivated Bryant takes cuts at critics: 'Bring it'
Kris Bryant said he felt slighted last year, when the Cubs star missed a large portion of the season with an injured shoulder. His message to critics: "I'm motivated. Keep 'em coming. Bring it."
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Cactus League Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | 13 | 8 | .619 | - | L3 |
| Chicago | 14 | 10 | .583 | 0.5 | W3 |
| Oakland | 11 | 8 | .579 | 1 | W3 |
| Cleveland | 12 | 9 | .571 | 1 | W4 |
| Los Angeles | 12 | 9 | .571 | 1 | W1 |
| Milwaukee | 13 | 11 | .542 | 1.5 | W1 |
| Kansas City | 13 | 12 | .520 | 2 | W1 |
| Los Angeles | 11 | 11 | .500 | 2.5 | L2 |
| Seattle | 8 | 8 | .500 | 2.5 | L1 |
| Colorado | 10 | 12 | .455 | 3.5 | W2 |
| Arizona | 10 | 12 | .455 | 3.5 | W1 |
| San Francisco | 9 | 12 | .429 | 4 | W1 |
| Texas | 9 | 12 | .429 | 4 | L1 |
| Cincinnati | 6 | 11 | .353 | 5 | W3 |
| Chicago | 7 | 13 | .350 | 5.5 | L6 |
Team Leaders
- Batting
- Pitching
Batting Average
Home Runs
Runs Batted In
Earned Run Average
Wins
Strikeouts
Team Stats
- Pitching
- Batting
Earned Run Average4.9917th
Quality Starts0Tied-1st
WHIP1.4620th
BAA.26821st
Runs158Tied-2nd
Batting Average.2775th
On Base Percentage.3527th
Slugging Percentage.44912th