July 6, ESPNChicago.com, The serious case of Ian Happ

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1 July 6, 2017 Daily Herald, Cubs get a win in the pinch Daily Herald, Could Cubs' Schwarber return to leadoff spot? Daily Herald, Imrem: Can the Cubs win the NL Central by default? Cubs.com, Cubs stepping up Final Vote push for Bryant Cubs.com, Cubs score 7 straight runs to rally past Rays Cubs.com, Jay, Happ spearhead stirring comeback Cubs.com, Schwarber could return to leadoff when back Cubs.com, Cubs, Crew to meet at Wrigley in makeup game ESPNChicago.com, Schwarber returning to Cubs after Triple-A stopover ESPNChicago.com, The serious case of Ian Happ ESPNChicago.com, Cubs have found a new (if unexpected) fan favorite in Jon Jay CSNChicago.com, Lackey Being Lackey After Cubs Win: I m 38 Years Old, I m Bothered By A Lot Of Things CSNChicago.com, No, Cubs Don t Sound Worried About Brewers: It s About How We Play CSNChicago.com, Joe Maddon Still Thinking About Kyle Schwarber As Cubs' Leadoff Guy: 'Zero Concern' Chicago Tribune, Kyle Schwarber back with Cubs after stint in Triple-A Iowa

2 Chicago Tribune, Cubs get some clutch hitting to rally for 7-3 comeback victory over Rays Chicago Tribune, All-Star Game or All-Star break? Maybe Kris Bryant needs mental recharge column.html Chicago Tribune, John Lackey earns extended rest with strong finish before All-Star break story.html Chicago Tribune, Cubs content with Ian Happ in the middle of order Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs recall Kyle Schwarber from Class AAA Iowa Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs beat Rays, reach.500, keep faith something spectacular coming Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs mull return to leadoff for Kyle Schwarber despite past flop there Chicago Sun-Times, Baseball isn t exactly taxing, so why do Cubs players need rest? Daily Herald Cubs get a win in the pinch By Bruce Miles Bring on the Brewers. That may have been an odd-sounding battle cry a couple of months ago for the Chicago Cubs. But hey, they did rain out a game when the Brewers were hot in May. By the gametime rolled around on that Saturday, nary a drop was to be seen. The Brewers return to Wrigley Field for a one-day-only makeup-game engagement Thursday, and the Cubs need to be ready. Some of the things that had been eluding the Cubs came back in a big way Wednesday in a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays at Wrigley Field. Timely hitting would be one of those things. They got some big ones against the Rays, with Jon Jay hitting a pinch 3-run homer in the sixth to tie the game at 3-3. In the seventh, rookie Ian Happ flashed his cool again by singling through a drawn-in infield to put the Cubs up 5-3. Anthony Rizzo provided the insurance with a 2-run double in the eighth. The Brewers entered Wednesday 3½ games ahead of the defending-world-champion Cubs in the National League Central.

3 The Cubs are the picture of mediocrity at 42-42, and their play all season reflects it. While there have been several supposed "turnaround" games for the Cubs this season, Jay says he's starting to see it come around. "Definitely," the former St. Louis Cardinal said. "We've shown our flashes of the type of team we can be. We've just got to continue to keep fighting. There's 162 games for a reason. I've seen that in my past with the Cardinals, where it came down to the wire every year. We've just got to keep on playing hard, and we're going to be just fine." Manager Joe Maddon knows the Brewers are hanging out at the top spot for a reason. "Remember last year, I was often saying how much I thought they had improved," he said. "I liked their bullpen a lot. This year, some of the young guys are doing better offensively. They've added some offense, too. Not necessarily surprising. I thought they would do well this year. I did. I like some of their starting pitching, also. I'm not surprised they've done better, not at all." But then Maddon added: "I don't worry about what the other teams are doing. I really don't. I know we're couple games back right now, but that's not a concern because I do believe that if we play our game, that will take care of itself." Starting pitcher John Lackey left with the Cubs trailing 3-0, but he gutted out a quality start by going 6 innings while nursing a case of plantar fasciitis. "I'm 38 years old; I'm bothered by a lot of things," he said. But seriously, Lackey knows that hot streaks take time to develop. "I don't think we do the whole, 'Today is the day,'" he said. "It's a long season. Stay in your approach. Stay in what you do. We've got a lot of talent in the room. Hopefully it works out in the end." The Cubs were 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position. They entered the day batting.233 in that department, but they got their biggest hits from role player Jay and Happ, a rookie with not quite two months experience. Maddon has praised Happ for his ability to "slow things down," in clutch situations, not easy for any player. "Yeah, understanding what your job is in that situation and really making sure you're centered, breathing and trying to slow the game down as much as you can," Happ said. Maddon has been bemoaning the Cubs' lack of luck at the plate, with hard-hit balls being caught. That happened a couple times Wednesday before Jay's homer and Happ's hit. "It was kind of frustrating that we hit a lot of balls well that were, poof, right at folks," he said. "Had a lot of good at-bats again. Got their starter (Blake Snell) out after 5 with like 100, 97 pitches. We did everything the same, but eventually the ball started to fall in." Daily Herald Could Cubs' Schwarber return to leadoff spot? By Bruce Miles One of the big questions concerning Kyle Schwarber's return to the Cubs is where he bats. Schwarber was optioned to Class AAA Iowa on June 22 to work on his game. His return could come either this weekend or after the all-star break. After Schwarber began the season as the Cubs' leadoff hitter, he was moved down after struggling.

4 Manager Joe Maddon has said that when Schwarber is hitting, he's still the Cubs' best bet at the top. But Maddon wouldn't say Wednesday if Schwarber will return to the leadoff spot once he's recalled. "I don't know where he's at, what it looks like right now," Maddon said. "I've thought about it. I honestly don't know." On a touchy subject, Maddon continued to maintain that batting leadoff did not contribute to Schwarber's struggles at the plate. "It's zero concern," he said. "He would have struggled in the 8-hole. I find no connection between his struggling and where he was hitting in the batting order. It's just that he was struggling, just missing his pitch, fouling it off. "It had nothing to do with placement in the batting order because he was not trying to be any kind of a different hitter. He was not trying to accept more walks. He was not trying to do anything differently. It was a matter of he was just not hitting. In my mind's eye, that has nothing to do with it. So I would not be concerned with putting him back there, just depending on what he looks like when he gets back." Stumping for Jay: Starting pitcher John Lackey had high praise for outfielder Jon Jay, whose 3-run homer tied Wednesday's game against the Rays at 3-3. The Cubs eventually won 7-3. "He's been everything we've needed this year," Lackey said. "I honestly can't believe he doesn't play more." Lackey left it at that. Jay was tactful. "I show up every day and I'm ready to play, whether it's coming off the bench or starting, whatever the case may be," he said. "I work hard to stay ready. When my name's called upon, I'm going to be ready to go out there and hopefully help out the team." Hendricks progressing: The Cubs say pitcher Kyle Hendricks' bullpen session Tuesday went well, and he'll throw another, perhaps Friday, as he comes back from tendinitis in his right hand. If all goes well, it's likely Hendricks will head out on a minor-league rehab assignment and be ready to go after the all-star break. Praise for Strop: Reliever Pedro Strop got the win Wednesday by pitching 1 inning of perfect relief. Strop is 3-2 with a 3.13 ERA and a WHIP of "I think Stropie is a guy who is being overlooked right now a little bit," Joe Maddon said. "Stropie's really pitching well. He's pitching really, really well right now." Go figure these numbers: Joe Maddon cited an interesting stat Wednesday in talking about Tuesday's 6-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. "Yesterday, we saw 189 pitches," he said. "That is a high number of pitches. The disconnect this year has been great at-bats, we've seen a ton of pitches, we get guys out there, and I'm telling you, it's going to happen, where the RBI, the run driven in, is going to occur. It just has to. I liked yesterday's game. Obviously we didn't win it but I felt good in the dugout.

5 "The at-bats were wonderful. It's just one of those moments where we have not been able to consistently get the hit with runners in scoring position." Daily Herald Imrem: Can the Cubs win the NL Central by default? By Mike Imrem The Cubs play a colossal one-game series today against the Brewers? Colossal game? Look, some people make a living by making fun of all things Wisconsin. I'm not among them though I have supplemented my income with sarcastic mentions of cows, cheese and Packer fans. To be fair, the beer and Packers are pretty good. Which brings us to Milwaukee, which the Cubs are looking up at... both geographically and competitively... even after Wednesday's 7-3 victory over Tampa Bay. Hard to take the Brewers seriously, isn't it? Milwaukee leading the division is the primary reason the underachieving Cubs can be optimistic about their chances in the National League Central. Location, location, location. In real estate it's good to be the worst house on a great block. In baseball it's good to be the least worst team on a bad block. Nobody is playing great in the NL Central so even if the Cubs continue to be mediocre, mediocrity figures to win out. However, remember one of the primary principles of sports: It's dangerous to depend on the generosity of strangers. Often when a team bases its success on the failure of others, one or more of those others prove to be better than expected. Maybe the Cubs can win the NL Central by default. Then again, maybe they'll have to be better than they were so far this season. The Brewers historically have been of little concern, which was true even when the Cubs were the old Cubbie lovable losers. The team down here was bad but the perception was the team up there would be worse. Now the current Brewers are supposed to strike fear into the Cubs? In rebuilding mode rather than contending mode, the Brewers still are the same cute, mascot-sliding, sausageracing team. However, nothing says the Brewers can't get lucky and have one magical season.

6 Let's put all this another way: If these Milwaukee Brewers were the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cubs would be considerably more concerned. Even after the Cubs passed the Cards the past two seasons, it remains risky to look down on St. Louis... both geographically and competitively. Don't look now but while the Brewers are in first place, the Cardinals are nipping at the Cubs' backsides. The Cardinals are the Cardinals, not the Brewers, who would be taken seriously only if they had a redbird on their uniforms. Sentiment around here is that the Cubs will at some point recall that they're still champions and begin playing like it. There's plenty of time for the 2017 Cubs to become the 2016 Cubs again, for veteran starting pitchers to pitch like last year, for the young hitters to hit with runners in scoring position, for the front office to acquire reinforcements. The beauty of major-league baseball is that the 162-game schedule allows teams to stumble and get back up. The Cubs still could win the division if the Brewers start playing like the traditional Brewers and the Cardinals don't start playing like the traditional Cardinals. More likely, the Cubs will have to go out and win this thing instead of expecting others to lose it. Depending on the generosity of strangers really is a risky proposition. Yes, even that strange team from the strange state of Wisconsin. Cubs.com Cubs stepping up Final Vote push for Bryant By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO Cubs players donned T-shirts to promote Kris Bryant in an effort to get the third baseman to the All- Star Game via the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com. Bryant remained second to the Dodgers' Justin Turner in the latest results, released Wednesday. The other Final Vote candidates include the Nationals' Anthony Rendon, the Rockies' Mark Reynolds and the Marlins' Justin Bour. The 2017 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be played July 11 in Miami. Even actor Joe Mantegna, a Cubs fan and star of the CBS drama "Criminal Minds," joined in the campaign. He posted on Twitter: "Make sure to #VoteKB and vote Fans can vote for Bryant two ways: Go to cubs.com/vote, or text N2 to (USA) or (Canada). Today from 9 a.m. CT to 3 p.m. CT, the Twitter hashtag use will count toward the vote, and fans can use #VoteKB. One year ago, Bryant had 25 home runs, 21 doubles and 65 RBIs by the All-Star break and was batting.286. He was voted in as a starter on the National League team and won the NL Most Valuable Player Award at season's end. This year, his numbers haven't been as strong, as he entered Wednesday with 16 home runs. Bryant, who has been batting second most of the season, had 33 RBIs and was batting.262. "Last year, he would hit the ball hard on a nightly basis," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Bryant. "More than anything, I've seen him miss his pitch a little bit and chase his pitch a little bit, but I have a lot of confidence that

7 will work its way back to where it had been. He looks the same at the plate, so I dont think he's fatigued. I really anticipate more in the second half." On Wednesday, Bryant was 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs in the Cubs' 7-3 come-from-behind win over the Rays. He now has hit safely in six straight games (7-for-22) and leads the Cubs with 56 walks. Fans can cast ballots for the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote on MLB.com, Club sites and their mobile devices until 4 p.m. ET today. The winners, as chosen exclusively by online fan voting totals, will then be announced during "MLB Tonight" live on MLB Network and MLB.com at 6 p.m. Extensive coverage throughout the Final Vote will be provided by MLB Network and MLB.com, including interviews with the candidates, frequent updates, heat maps indicating where votes are being cast for each candidate, news on player and club campaigns, and a running countdown clock leading up to the announcement. Now in its 16th season, with more than 680 million votes cast, the Final Vote again will include social votes on the last day of balloting, as Twitter support for the 10 candidates over the final six hours of balloting will count toward their vote totals. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET today, any tweet that includes a designated player hashtag will be tabulated as part of the official vote total used to determine the winners. On Tuesday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET, tune in to the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote. The 88th All-Star Game, in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com. Cubs.com Cubs score 7 straight runs to rally past Rays By Carrie Muskat and Scott Chasen CHICAGO Pinch-hitter Jon Jay smacked a game-tying three-run homer in the sixth inning and rookie Ian Happ hit a tiebreaking two-run single in the seventh to lift the Cubs to a 7-3 victory over the Rays on Wednesday at Wrigley Field and split the Interleague series. These two teams will meet again in St. Petersburg in September. Evan Longoria drove in two runs and survived a tumble into the stands and Corey Dickerson hit an RBI double to give the Rays a 3-0 lead. But Jay tied the game with his third career pinch-hit home run and second blast of the year. "It was a more complete game," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "We were down 3-0, but I felt good about it. It's just that things weren't going our way. That batted-ball-in-play statistic has to come back to us at some point. The ball's been hit hard but at people. We've got to keep fighting through it." With the score knotted at 3 in the Cubs seventh, Erasmo Ramirez walked Kris Bryant and was lifted for Adam Kolarek. Anthony Rizzo greeted the lefty with an opposite-field single, and both runners advanced on Ben Zobrist's sacrifice bunt. Happ then hit a single to center Maddon called it a "game-changer" to drive in Bryant and Rizzo. Rizzo added a two-run double with two outs in the eighth. "Tough loss, obviously. 3-0 ballgame with, what was it 12 outs to get?" Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "But it's pretty telling. We gave up seven runs with nine outs to get. That's generally not going to get you a win." Pedro Strop picked up the win in relief of starter John Lackey, who gave up three runs over six innings. The Cubs now are 2-6 in Interleague Play. Rays starter Blake Snell scattered four hits and walked four over five scoreless innings.

8 "Definitely a step in the right direction," Snell said. "Yeah, only going five, but I'm happy with how the team played behind me. I felt like they did a great job, and [catcher Jesus Sucre], I can't say enough about him back there." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Longo in middle of action: Mallex Smith singled to lead off the game, then stole second and scored one out later on Longoria's single. It was the 68th first-inning run off Cubs pitching this year (the Mets lead the National League with 71). Longoria also hustled to try and catch Rizzo's popup in foul territory in the fifth and flipped over a low gate into the stands. He survived the dive. Longoria added a sacrifice fly in the sixth and now has 51 RBIs, the third Rays player to reach 50 before the All-Star break, joining Logan Morrison (57) and Steven Souza Jr. (55). "I lost track a little bit of where it was just 'cause I didn't want to take my eye off the ball," Longoria said of his flip. "I tried to slow down as much as I could before I got there." "I was scared, I mean, yeah. Any time you go into a wall that wall's a weird height so you get nervous a little bit obviously when you go over it. It didn't feel great, but I'm OK." Jay thwarts Snell: Snell shut down the Cubs over five innings and was in line for his first win of the season when Ramirez took over in the sixth. Happ singled to lead off and one out later, moved up on Javier Baez's single. With two outs, Jay delivered his second homer of the season to tied the game at 3. The Cubs were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position before Jay's homer. Maddon had debated using Tommy La Stella in that situation, but went with Jay because he'd been playing more. "I wasn't expecting a home run," Maddon said. "That's a two-strike homer, opposite gap. He gives you a good atbat, no question." Jay even tipped his cap to the crowd of 39,855 at Wrigley FIeld for a curtain call. "I try to do the same thing every time, just try to use the middle of the field and put the barrel on the ball and I was able to do that there," Jay said. QUOTABLE "It's a long season. Stay in your approach, stay at what you do. We've got a lot talent in the room, and hopefully it works out in the end." Lackey, on what the Cubs need to do SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS The Cubs posted their 10th win when trailing entering the sixth inning, tied for the most such wins in the Majors with the Red Sox and Astros. INJURY UPDATE Lackey was lifted after throwing 79 pitches over six innings. He's been bothered by plantar fasciitis in his right foot but didn't want to say how long he'd been dealing with that. "I'm 38 years old," Lackey said. "I'm bothered by a lot of things." His next start will be after the All-Star break. "We want to make sure he has a real lengthy vacation right now," Maddon said. UNDER REVIEW

9 Smith was called safe after a double to left field despite a tag by Cubs second baseman Baez in the Rays' sixth. The Cubs challenged the ruling and after a review, the call stood. Smith scored two batters later on Longoria's sacrifice fly. The Rays' leadoff man went 4-for-4. With two outs in the Chicago eighth, Rizzo doubled and tried to advance to third but was thrown out. Maddon asked for a crew chief review, and the call was confirmed. WHAT'S NEXT Rays: The Rays will return home for a four-game set against the Red Sox beginning at 7:10 p.m. ET on Thursday before the teams head to the All-Star break. Righty Jake Faria (3-0, 2.23 ERA) will get the ball for the series opener. Each of his first five Major League outings have been quality starts. Cubs: Mike Montgomery will make his third start at home on Thursday when the Cubs play host to the Brewers in a makeup game. The lefty is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in two starts so far at Wrigley Field, including six shutout innings on June 20 against the Padres. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT. Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV. Cubs.com Jay, Happ spearhead stirring comeback By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO When Jon Jay came up to the big leagues with the Cardinals in 2010, he was trying to find a niche. Jay is now helping rookie Ian Happ do the same with the Cubs. "I knew if I wanted to survive and stay [in the big leagues], I had to figure it out," Jay said after hitting a game-tying three-run homer to spark a Cubs rally in a 7-3 Interleague victory over the Rays on Wednesday. "That's where I learned how to prepare myself for all this and pinch-hit or get a bunt down or whatever the case is. I try to carry that with me." While Jay tied the game coming off the bench in the sixth with his third career pinch-hit homer, Happ gave the Cubs the lead with a two-run single in the seventh. The rookie credited the veteran Jay with helping him. "He's unbelievable," Happ said of Jay. "Just the way he plays the game, the way he communicates in the outfield. As a pinch-hitter, he's been exceptional. I can't say enough about how good he's been." Jay ranks among the top five in the National League off the bench, batting.393 (11-for-28). He's one of the top players on the Cubs in terms of mentoring, too, and has taken Happ under his wing. "If you notice, the last week or so, he's been a lot more active out there, talking to the corner guys," Jay said of Happ, who has started at all three outfield positions. "I get it you get called up and there's a lot of things going on. I keep reminding him, 'This is all new.' He was drafted in 2015, and he hasn't played long in the Minor Leagues. He's learning every single day. That's been my message to him: 'Whatever mistakes happen, whatever happens out there, just view it as you're learning.' He's still a baby. It's been a lot of fun to watch and continue to see him grow." How good has Happ been? In his last 15 games, he's batting.367 (22-for-60) with four home runs and 13 RBIs. "He's super talented," Jay said of Happ. "We all saw that in Spring Training. We know he'll have a pretty good big league career. He's been great in how he's handled everything. He's learned and learned and he'll get better." With the game tied at 3 in the Cubs seventh, Rays reliever Erasmo Ramirez walked Kris Bryant and was lifted for Adam Kolarek. Anthony Rizzo greeted the lefty with an opposite-field single, and both runners advanced on Ben Zobrist's sacrifice. Happ then hit a single to center to drive in Bryant and Rizzo.

10 "For me, he's slowing things down," manager Joe Maddon said. "Watch him when he comes to the plate. He takes a big breath when he steps into the batter's box. I think he's chasing a little bit less." He does take a breath. "It's understanding what your job is in that situation and making sure you're centered, breathing and trying to slow the game down as much as you can," Happ said. And what was Jay thinking in the sixth when he connected against Ramirez on a 1-2 pitch? "I try to do the same thing every time just try to use the middle of the field and put the barrel on the ball, and I was able to do that there," Jay said. "I wasn't expecting a home run," Maddon said. "That's a two-strike homer, opposite gap. He gives you a good atbat, no question." Said Cubs starter John Lackey of Jay: "He's done everything we've needed this year. I honestly can't believe he doesn't play more." Cubs.com Schwarber could return to leadoff when back By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO When Kyle Schwarber returns to the Cubs, he may be back in the leadoff spot. Manager Joe Maddon says he hasn't decided yet. Schwarber was sent to Triple-A Iowa to work on his swing after batting.171 with the Cubs. In 10 games with the Minor League team, he was hitting.333 with four home runs and nine RBIs. Maddon does not feel that having Schwarber lead off contributed to his struggles. "It's zero concern," Maddon said Wednesday. "He would've struggled in the eight-hole. I find no connection between his struggles and where he was hitting in the batting order it's just that he was struggling. He was just missing his pitch. He was not trying to be any kind of different hitter, he was not trying to do anything differently. He was just not hitting. "In my mind's eye, [leading off] had nothing to do with it," Maddon said. "I would not be concerned with putting him back there, it just depends on what he looks like when he gets back." There is no timetable for Schwarber's return. Kyle Hendricks, on the disabled list since June 5 with inflammation in his right hand, played catch on Wednesday and will throw his second bullpen session either Friday or Saturday. Hendricks threw his first bullpen session since going on the DL on Tuesday. One of the bright spots on the Cubs this season has been the bullpen, and Maddon gives closer Wade Davis a lot of credit for that. The right-hander, who is the Cubs' All-Star representative this season, entered Wednesday 16- for-16 in save opportunities with a 1.93 ERA. "I think of Wade as an anchor and even conversationally with these guys, he's a mentor," Maddon said. "He's a pitcher and he talks pitching and how to get guys out and he sets an example for the rest of the group. There's not a whole lot to complain about with the bullpen."

11 Cubs.com Cubs, Crew to meet at Wrigley in makeup game By Carrie Muskat Cubs manager Joe Maddon isn't shocked that the Brewers are leading the National League Central. "It's not necessarily surprising," Maddon said on the eve of Thursday's makeup game at Wrigley Field between the two teams. "I thought they would do well this year. I'm not surprised they've done better." Most people probably thought the defending World Series champion Cubs would cruise in the division, especially since the roster has so many of the same players as last year. But Chicago has hovered around the.500 mark, and injuries to key players such as Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist and an inconsistent offense have hindered the team. Being in first place is motivating for the Brewers, who were looking forward to Thursday. "I mean, it's always fun beating people in your division," Milwaukee starter Jimmy Nelson said. "It is kind of a weird situation going there and having a day game there, and off to New York. We've had a lot of day games lately and everybody has obviously been locked in for those and performing for those." Besides this one-game makeup of a May 20 game, the Cubs and Brewers also will square off July and Sept at Miller Park, and Sept at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lead the series, 5-3. Prior to the scheduling of the makeup game, the Brewers had an off-day on Thursday before traveling to New York for a three-game weekend series with the Yankees. For Brewers manager Craig Counsell, the situation could have been worse. "We're in good shape," Counsell said. "We're going to a place that's really close, we are five days from the All-Star break and teams have rainouts. I've seen a bunch of teams have to do this scenario. It generally involves a plane flight in the wrong direction, and we're not doing that. We're pretty fortunate." Lefty Mike Montgomery will start for the Cubs, while Zach Davies is looking for his 10th win of the season for the Brewers. As much as Maddon respects the Brewers, he's focused on his team, which isn't running away with the division the way it did last year. "If we get back to playing our game naturally and normally like we can and a big part of that is getting at-bats with runners in scoring position we'll start winning the appropriate number of games to get us back to where we need to be," Maddon said. "I don't worry about what the other teams are doing. I know we're a couple games back, but that's not a concern because I do believe if we play our game, it will take care of itself." Three things to know about this game While Montgomery gave up nine hits over 6 2/3 innings in his last start, the Reds' batters notched an exit velocity under 95 mph on seven of those. Those seven hits under the 95-mph mark two doubles and five singles were most allowed in a game by a Cubs pitcher this season. The Brewers' Eric Thames is batting.391 with one home run in seven games against the Cubs this season, while Travis Shaw also has hit three home runs against Chicago. Milwaukee's Ryan Braun has a career.344 average at Wrigley Field, with 13 home runs and 59 RBIs.

12 ESPNChicago.com Schwarber returning to Cubs after Triple-A stopover By Jesse Rogers The Chicago Cubs are recalling Kyle Schwarber from Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, a source familiar with the move told ESPN. Schwarber hit.343 with four home runs in 11 games after being sent down on June 22. He was hitting.171 this season for the Cubs when he was demoted. The team did not put a timetable on when Schwarber would return after he was moved to the minors. Schwarber should be available for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, who lead the Cubs in the National League Central by 3½ games. ESPNChicago.com The serious case of Ian Happ By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO If you re looking for a smile from Ian Happ, you'll have to look real close. They don't come often. The infielder-outfielder has hit 12 home runs this season the second-fastest Chicago Cubs rookie to reach double digits but you rarely know when he has crushed one from the deadpan expression on his face as he rounds the bases. In fact, it's that demeanor that stood out to the Cubs brass when they were considering drafting him in the summer of "He's very serious about his craft," general manager Jed Hoyer said this week. "He talks baseball very seriously. He's a very serious person, really intelligent and focused." The seriousness is a good thing, considering that the reigning World Series champs are leaning on the 22-year-old as they try to find their championship level of play again. Happ's go-ahead, two-run single in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 7-3 win against Tampa Bay again proved why the club is turning to him, as he upped his remarkable.385/.429/.615 slash line late in games that are deemed late/close. Consider this: Happ has started games in all three outfield positions as well as at second base, and he has batted no lower than sixth in the order this season. Remember when Addison Russell arrived on the scene in 2015? Joe Maddon hit him ninth to protect him, to hide him from all the pressure and let him see better pitches behind the pitcher. That hasn't been the case with Happ. "Part of that was out of necessity," Maddon said. "Because I would much rather have protected him, no question. He's responded really well." That necessity came when the injuries started to pile up, and Kyle Schwarber's underachieving performance has also allowed the switch-hitter to shine. All Happ has done is lead the Cubs in OPS with a.906 mark. On a team with the reigning National League MVP in Kris Bryant and a three-time All-Star in Anthony Rizzo, it's Happ who has been the most dangerous. "[He] runs better than people know," Maddon said. "As he gets on base more consistently, this guy can steal some bags, I think." Happ is the fastest Cub, according to Statcast, which recently released speed ratings for baserunners. Maddon hasn't ruled him out as a future leadoff hitter, as his power-speed combination is already standing out.

13 "He's so athletic," first base and outfield coach Brandon Hyde said. "He plays with confidence in the outfield, with little experience. He walked in with confidence." Happ quietly declared that he belonged in a big league clubhouse during spring training, when he was given a locker next to Jon Lester and John Lackey. He "earned it," as he said back then. He continues to earn it, as he led the Cubs in home runs in June, with eight. He already has two multi-home-run games, while committing just one error so far. That last point is a source of pride for Happ, whose already-serious face grows even sterner when the topic of defense arises. That was the knock on him when he was drafted and while he was coming up. Where would he play? Could he play it well enough? Even Maddon doubted him. "In spring training, seeing him at second base, I did not think it was going to work," Maddon said bluntly. "I'll be the first one to tell you that. He's proven me absolutely wrong." Happ has proven many wrong on defense, simply because he's so athletic. It's not always pretty he's learning four positions at the big league level yet you would be hard-pressed to find a play he should have made but didn't. "There's always going to be questions, 'Can he do this, or can he do that?'" Happ said. "'Can he play infield? Can he play outfield?' I ve always been confident in my ability to play multiple positions." Hyde expressed confidence in the rookie, adding that Happ "is going to be a special defender." "One of the best things about Ian is he does have a chip on his shoulder, but he carries it well," Hoyer added. "He wants to prove people wrong. He believes in himself. This guy is a good athlete. That was the talk around the draft. If he's an athlete and is willing to work, he can be a good defender." Right now, Happ seems like a natural at the plate. After a torrid start, he went into the typical rookie slump. But rather than being sent back to the minors, he played his way out of it. "It's baseball," Happ said. "You're going to have a week or two you don't feel good. You're going to have weeks where you feel great." Everything about Happ screams that he's mature for his age, and he has shown that savvy off the field as well. No other Cub has held two news conferences in road cities this season, as Happ did in Pittsburgh (his hometown) and Cincinnati (where he starred at the University of Cincinnati). When team media relations personnel started looking to bring him out to the dugout in Pittsburgh, Happ was already there doing his interviews. He gets it. "This division is awesome," Happ said. "A bunch of great ballparks, a bunch of great teams to play. It doesn't get better than that. I get to go home three times a year." That's as long as he remains a Cub. He was considered trade bait for a while, but it's hard to see the Cubs without him now. But when is the serious-faced rookie going to break out the smile that has become a trademark in Chicago's clubhouse during Maddon's tenure? "I've seen it," reliever Pedro Strop said with a smile of his own. "Around [the clubhouse] or on the bus. Or when we celebrate after a win. He smiles. He's having fun." Added Happ: "I do smile sometimes."

14 ESPNChicago.com Cubs have found a new (if unexpected) fan favorite in Jon Jay By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO Not everything about the Chicago Cubs has been mediocre this season. Sure, their starting pitching has been average and their offense has alternated between bad and putrid, but there are a couple things every championship team needs: a bullpen and some role players. The Cubs have both, each of which helped them to a 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The hero off the bench happens to be the growing fan favorite and he did not disappoint the nearly 40,000 at Wrigley Field. Jon Jay s pinch-hit three-run homer in the sixth inning tied the game 3-3 and led to his first curtain call as a Cub. "It was awesome, especially here," Jay said. "That was my first time doing that. The crowd was electric. Everything was awesome." The crowd had been patiently waiting for something to cheer for, with Rays starter Blake Snell keeping Chicago off the board until Jay's hit swung the momentum. The Cubs went on to score four more runs over the next two innings and never looked back, with the 32-year-old's three-run shot taking John Lackey who had been staring at a loss until Jay went to the plate to hit for the pitcher off the hook. "He's been everything we needed this year, and honestly, I can't believe he doesn't play more," Lackey said after the game. Was that Lackey playing manager for a moment? Jay's role has actually increased, as Joe Maddon has been leading him off more against right-handers. The Cubs manager reiterated that before Wednesday's game but stopped short of promising anything. The club is in day-to-day mode. It's whatever gives them the best chance to win, and sometimes that could mean holding Jay back for a moment such as Wednesday's. "[I] just try to stay ready, do my homework," Jay said. Maddon has half-joked in the past that Jay is so good at his job, it sometimes prevents him from getting more starts. He's second in the National League with 11 pinch hits, and the Cubs rank second in baseball in that category. Between Jay, Albert Almora Jr. and Tommy La Stella, the front office can cross "bench help" off the list of things they are seeking during trade season. Jay is even surprising his own manager with his success. "That's a two-strike homer, opposite gap," Maddon said. "That was really well-struck. [Wasn't] expecting that, but he gives you a really good at-bat in that situation." Jay gives his all in every situation. A consummate professional, he was brought in to replace some of the veteran leadership that moved on after the Cubs' championship. Jay is a quiet role player who is easily well-liked by his teammates. He won't light up a postgame news conference, but he is a steady voice in the locker room, just as he is a steady hitter at the plate. Coming up with a veteran St. Louis Cardinals team, he knew he had to battle to stay in the majors. "Just that fighter mentality," Jay said. "I knew if I was going to survive and stay there, I had to figure it out." Between his.305 batting average (.407 when he pinch hits) and.385 on-base percentage, Jay seems to be figuring things out just fine in a Cubs uniform. "I try to do the same thing every time," Jay said. "Use the middle of the field and put the barrel on the ball... I definitely like being in those situations."

15 His home run, on a 1-2 pitch, surprised his manager, teammates, the broadcasters in the television booth and probably everyone watching from the stands. But did it surprise Jay? After all, it was only his second home run since May This one had to shock him. "No," Jay replied without pause. "When my name is called upon, I'm going to be ready to go out there and help the team." Spoken like a true pro. That's Jon Jay. CSNChicago.com Lackey Being Lackey After Cubs Win: I m 38 Years Old, I m Bothered By A Lot Of Things By Patrick Mooney John Lackey s press conference after Wednesday s feel-good win over the Tampa Bay Rays lasted two-plus minutes. Within four questions, the old-school grump confirmed how brittle the Cubs rotation is now and what the clubhouse thinks of Joe Maddon s decision-making. Maddon went first in the Wrigley Field interview room and revealed that Lackey has been dealing with pain in his right foot, the plantar fasciitis being one reason why the Cubs reconfigured their starters so Jon Lester would pitch an extra time before the All-Star break. Another being that Lackey will take a 5-9 record and a 5.20 ERA into his extended vacation. I got a ways before I got to pitch again, Lackey said after getting a quality start and the no-decision in a 7-3 comeback victory. I think I ll be all right. I m 38 years old, I m bothered by a lot of things. Like the star manager Lackey once knew before Maddon got famous, doing the grunt work as Mike Scioscia s bench coach on the 2002 Anaheim Angels team that won the World Series. Lackey crushed a softball question about Jon Jay, the super-sub who delivered a pinch-hit, game-tying, three-run homer in the sixth inning, driving an Erasmo Ramirez pitch into the left-center field bleachers and showing why he s so respected among his teammates. He s been everything we needed this year, Lackey said. Honestly, I can t believe he doesn t play more. With that one-liner, Lackey chuckled and walked out of the room. One of many strange aspects to this start is that Theo Epstein s front office nailed so many offseason moves, except for the inevitable Brett Anderson breakdown that could leave the Cubs vulnerable if Lackey keeps pitching like a guy who s 38 years old, Lester and Jake Arrieta collapse after back-to-back playoff runs and Kyle Hendricks (right hand tendinitis) experiences a setback that pushes him into August or later. But the Cubs focused on bringing in serious professionals with their own World Series rings, players like Jay (.305 average), plus elite setup guy Koji Uehara (2.93 ERA) and All-Star closer Wade Davis (16-for-16 in save chances), who combined to get the last four outs against the Rays (44-42). Maddon would probably write it off as Lackey Being Lackey and not feel the need to respond to the passiveaggressive criticism. But the manager nailed the afternoon s biggest matchup, summoning Uehara with two outs and two runners on and the Cubs clinging to a two-run lead in the eighth inning. Uehara struck out Evan Longoria for the 13th time in 25 career at-bats. Whenever he retires and disappears to Texas, Lackey s to-the-point responses and refreshing honesty will be missed.

16 Lackey knows this isn t a jumping-off point for a team. Just look at how the shorthanded Cubs hung on to beat the Washington Nationals on the road last week, only to hear Miguel Montero torch Arrieta and lose two games in a row. That ninth-inning rally to salvage the split on getaway day in Washington led to two straight losses to a Cincinnati Reds team that s now in last place. I don t think we do the whole Today is the day, Lackey said. It s a long season. Just stay in your approach, stay in what you do. We got a lot of talent in the room. And hopefully it works out in the end. CSNChicago.com No, Cubs Don t Sound Worried About Brewers: It s About How We Play By Patrick Mooney Joe Maddon rattled off all the elements he liked about the Milwaukee Brewers explaining how much year-overyear growth he s seen in a surprise first-place team before the Cubs manager landed near one of his favorite Ricky Bobby quotes from Talladega Nights. With all due respect to everybody, Maddon said, the usual joke being that you can say whatever you want after that qualifier, it s about how we play. That s what I m always concerned about. Maddon is taking the Brewers seriously, and the Cubs are a team that can t assume anything anymore, even in a National League Central where it might take 84 wins to grab the division title. If Maddon s Cubs needed a reminder of what a small-market team with talent, attitude and a creative front office can do, they could have looked across Wrigley Field and into his past on Wednesday afternoon, the hope being this 7-3 comeback victory over the Tampa Bay Rays finally sparks the defending World Series champs. Back in the other league, other division, everybody s worried about the powerhouses and this and that, Maddon said. But it s about how you play. And if we just get back to playing our game naturally and normally like we can we ll start winning the appropriate number of games to get us back to where we want and need to be. But I don t worry about what the other teams are doing. I really don t. I know we re a couple games back right now, but that s not a concern, because I do believe if we play our game, that ll take care of itself. The Brewers will be back in Wrigleyville on Thursday afternoon for a makeup game postponed by the storm that never came on May 20, which led to this money quote from manager Craig Counsell in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: First time, for us, that we ve had players treated for sunburn after a rainout. The Brewers also sounded irked by cryptic comments from Cubs personnel questioning Eric Thames, who s launched 23 homers in 76 games since returning from a three-season journey in the Korea Baseball Organization. Even during an 89-loss rebuilding season, the Brewers played the Cubs tough last year, going 8-11 against a 103- win team, losing twice in extra innings and only getting outscored in the aggregate. Remember last year I was often saying how much I thought they had improved, Maddon said. I liked their bullpen a lot. This year, some of the young guys are doing better offensively and they ve added some offense, too. I like some of their starting pitching also. Yeah, I m not surprised that they ve done better, not at all. They have a lot of physical guys out there (in the bullpen) and they can match up with you pretty well, too. They had speed, so there was other ways to score besides just homers. I thought they played the game hard and right. They re really good on defense. Their shifting has been right on. So all those little components, I thought I saw last year. Now this year, they are playing a little bit better, too.

17 Not that Maddon will be sweating the deficit three games heading into Milwaukee s matchup against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night at Miller Park or how much this could swing the race and frame the All- Star break. Of course, you want to get as close as you possibly can, Maddon said. But honestly, man, it s about today. I know I m redundant and I get boring with that comment, but it s about today. We just got to take care of today s game and then worry about what the Cubs are doing and not what the Brewers are doing. That s the worst possible way to go about this. CSNChicago.com Joe Maddon Still Thinking About Kyle Schwarber As Cubs' Leadoff Guy: 'Zero Concern' By Patrick Mooney In what could be a genius move or a definition-of-insanity moment, Cubs manager Joe Maddon is thinking about making Kyle Schwarber his leadoff hitter again. Schwarber s exact arrival from Triple-A Iowa is unclear probably just before or right after the All-Star break but the Cubs framed that demotion in late June as a temporary move to clear his head and rebuild his confidence for the season s second half. I don t know where he s at and what it looks like right now, Maddon said Wednesday at Wrigley Field. I ve thought about it. I honestly don t know yet. I haven t decided what I want to do with that yet. Maddon has a stubborn belief in his guys and his process, and this is an impossible question to answer anyway: Did batting Schwarber leadoff contribute to the offensive spiral? After a shocking recovery from major knee surgery and that dramatic World Series comeback last year, Schwarber hit.171 with a.673 OPS and 75 strikeouts in 64 games for an underachieving team across the board. It s a zero concern, Maddon said. He would have struggled in the eight-hole. That had nothing to do with where he was hitting in the batting order. I find no connection between his struggle and where he was hitting in the batting order. It was just that he was struggling. Just missing his pitch, fouling it off. That had nothing to do with placement in the batting order, because he was not trying to be any kind of a different hitter. He was not trying to accept more walks. He was not trying to do anything differently. It just was a matter that he was not hitting. In my mind s eye, it had nothing to do with it, so I would not be concerned with putting him back there, just depending on what he looks like when he gets back. Schwarber s 10-game reset at Iowa so far looks like this: 11-for-33 with four homers, seven walks and 11 strikeouts. Maddon made Willson Contreras the leadoff guy against Tampa Bay Rays lefty Blake Snell, part of an unconventional rotation that has also included Anthony Rizzo, Jon Jay and Ben Zobrist. We don t have the 40-steal guy, Maddon said. We don t have that kind of speed to put at the top. And we don t have that kind of speed combined with on-base percentage, so you got to do the next best thing. I prefer your best hitters be at the top. Chicago Tribune Kyle Schwarber back with Cubs after stint in Triple-A Iowa By Mark Gonzales