August 9, 2015 Chicago Tribune Joe Maddon's carefree philosophy working for Cubs youngsters By Paul Sullivan It was back in early March when Joe Maddon introduced the concept of Cubs University, a place where his players would get a "liberal arts education" in the field of baseball. While final exams are a couple of months away, Maddon's class has done everything he could ask for on the field and also is adept at throwing a raucous postgame party in the clubhouse. Phi Kappa Cubbie took another step forward Saturday with an 8-6 win over the Giants, giving it a 2 1/2-game lead over its closest wild-card pursuers and a chance to sweep the World Series champions behind Jake Arrieta on Sunday. Yes, the Giants made the Cubs sweat with a three-run ninth off three relievers, but Maddon feels his players are beginning to "believe in themselves" as the race heats up. "I'm still looking for that late-inning swagger, and I think it's almost there, where if things get a little freaky we're still OK," he said. "That's the next step. But overall, man, you can't complain." If youth is truly wasted on the young, there's a whole lot of wasting going on at Wrigley Field. Kris Bryant homered, Kyle Schwarber's average rose to.352, Addison Russell had three hits and Kyle Hendricks improved to 6-5. Freaky, but chic. The Cubs are playing like they've been there before, which, of course, most of them haven't. Jon Lester, the designated Dalai Lama of the clubhouse, said the reason they're so relaxed under pressure is simple. "Just the youth," Lester said. "Guys have energy, guys have excitement to be in this position. Sometimes you can get complacent by doing it every single year and being with the same guys and just kind of going through the motions of August and September 'Oh, we'll be there when we get there.' "For a group of guys that have never done it, you've got that excitement every single day 'We've got a chance.' Once you get (to the playoffs)... look at the Giants and what they've done in years past. Look at the Royals and what they did last year. "Once you get there, it's just a matter of who is the hottest team. It's not who is the best team. You get some good pitching going, some timely hitting, and all of a sudden you look up and you're in the World Series."
Lester recently said the Cubs' youngsters need to "play stupid" or be "naïve" about their status as contenders in a race they're not supposed to be in. It's believed to be the first time in Cubs history that playing stupid was deemed a positive. "I don't really know what that means," Russell admitted. "I think it's just going out there and playing the game you've played since you're a little kid. Not really playing stupid. Just having fun and being yourself on the field." Is it possible for an Ivy League-educated pitcher such as Hendricks to play stupid? "It's always possible," Hendricks said, laughing. "You don't know what could happen out there, trust me." Hendricks goes with the flow, understanding that too much thinking can lead to the dreaded brain drain. "If you're overthinking things or struggling, you just have to let it go," he said. "I had that going at one point this year. I was overcomplicating things. You just have to take a step back and realize that it's all about making good pitches." The Cubs' conundrum is this: The more success they have, the more people will be pulling on the kids. First it was Bryant. Now everyone wants a piece of Schwarber, whose emergence has taken the town by storm. "It's been crazy, a whirlwind," Schwarber said. "I haven't been able to think that much. That's probably a good thing." Especially in a clubhouse where thinking is banned. After Saturday's win, Maddon went back to Lester's mantra. "Jonny hit it on the head a little bit about the naivete," he said. "Just go play. I don't want extra work. I don't want too much information." That's the best part of Cubs University, where the professor asks you to leave your brain at the door. Chicago Tribune Kyle Schwarber's impact on Cubs lineup goes beyond his numbers By Paul Skrbina The numbers don't lie, but they don't tell the whole truth about Kyle Schwarber, at least according to fellow Cubs rookie Kris Bryant. Schwarber, he of the.352 batting average, 1.061 OPS, six home runs and 21 RBIs, has played in 27 major-league games. That's true. He's listed on the roster as a 6-foot, 235-pound catcher but plays left field. That's a fact. "The guy's a freak of nature," Bryant said Saturday after the Cubs' 8-6 victory against the Giants. "I don't expect anything else from him. It's been fun watching him play." And Schwarber has had fun doing it since being called up for the second time this season. "It's a great locker room, great personalities in here," Schwarber said. "It's an easy team to come play for." Coaches and teammates alike rave about his bat, which produced two more hits and another RBI Saturday. Fair enough, said Bryant, who said having Schwarber in the lineup is "extremely important to us." But it's not all the way fair.
"It's easy to see the numbers, but he brings more of a presence," Bryant said. "That's more important than any home run or double you can hit." Bright afternoon: The lights were on late in Saturday's game, 27 years to the day after the first night game at Wrigley Field was rained out. One year later, in 1989, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was born. The birthday boy was 1-for-3 with a walk. His afternoon began with a first-inning error when confusion among infielders resulted in a popup dropping from his glove. "I know Rizz is really good right now, but I believe he's going to get better," manager Joe Maddon said. Maddon spoke of Rizzo's future leadership possibilities but cautioned that they would be based on performance and interactions with teammates. "The only time it's given is through votes, when you go out and campaign," Maddon said. "It's not easy to be all of that when you're (26). He can be at some point, but I don't want to rush him." Ross on bereavement list: The Cubs placed catcher David Ross on the bereavement list after the death of his grandmother and recalled outfielder Matt Szczur. Ross will be out at least three days and up to seven. The Cubs expect him to return by the middle of next week. Chicago Tribune Starlin Castro says he understands Cubs' decision to bench him By Paul Skrbina Red-and-white cement mixers spun on idling trucks outside Wrigley Field on Saturday. Inside, the Cubs' on-field renovation entered Day 2 of "Operation: Bench Starlin Castro." It made for an uncomfortable situation for Castro's replacement at shortstop, rookie Addison Russell, before Saturday's 8-6 win over the Giants. "I don't know what's going on. He picks me up whenever I'm down," Russell said of Castro. "That's all I have to say about that." And what of Russell's move a few feet over in the infield? "Now my dreams are coming true," he said. "That's great and all, but I want to help out the team now that I'm in the big leagues." Castro, 25 and a three-time All-Star, had a few things to say Saturday, the first time he had spoken publicly since manager Joe Maddon delivered the news Friday. Initially the operation cut deep, he said. But after a night of reflection, he said he understands why Maddon decided to sit him, something he said has never happened to him at any level. He understands it has a lot to do with his.236 batting average, 42 points below his career average. And his.575 OPS. And his minus-1.3 wins above replacement, worst among regular shortstops. "In the beginning I take it very personally," Castro said. "Feel a little frustrated, especially when they tell me I'm not going to play (until) I don't know when." Russell, 21, will take his place for now, with Chris Coghlan taking over at second.
"You're just trying to get the feel of it," Russell said. "It may not be quite as smooth as you want it, but I did get the job done (Friday). I feel good over there right now." Russell, who's batting.241 with a.675 OPS, responded before the game by praising Castro. He responded during the game with doubles in his first two at-bats and finished with three hits and an RBI. Castro echoed Russell's we-oriented words, from a different perspective, and said he's ready to do "whatever you can do to help the team." So far, that hasn't included being asked to play another position. Maddon said the Cubs want to keep Castro "where he's at now, mentally." "They know what they're doing," Castro said. "They know it's better for me and it's better for other players. Whatever decision they make, I'm in." Castro was almost in twice Friday, when he was called on to pinch-hit, but he never made it to the plate. Castro said his relationship with Russell is good and he will continue to try to help him. Maddon said he wasn't surprised by Castro's reaction. "I would be frustrated too," he said. "He was very professional about it." Maddon said the Cubs will work on getting Castro "back on his feet," adding it will be no easy feat. As for his future with the Cubs, Castro said he wasn't ready to look that far ahead. "I don't really think about another team," he said. "The future, you worry about another time." He's just trying to get back into the mix with the Cubs. Chicago Tribune Saturday's recap: Cubs 8, Giants 6 By Paul Skrbina The Cubs topped the Giants 8-6 on Saturday their ninth win in 10 games to move 21/2 games ahead of them for the second NL wild-card spot. The Cubs are 13 games over.500 for the first time since 2008. At the plate Kris Bryant drove in the Cubs' first three runs one on a fielder's choice in the first and two more on a home run to left in the third. Miguel Montero put the Cubs ahead for good with an RBI single in the fifth. On the mound Kyle Hendricks (6-5, 3.73 ERA) gave up three runs, five hits and two walks and struck out five in 51/3 innings to earn the victory. In the field Anthony Rizzo was charged with a first-inning error when a popup bounced off his glove near home plate. Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford saved at least a run when he backhanded Bryant's ground ball with the bases loaded and one out in the first.
Key number 22 Consecutive games in which leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler has reached base. The quote "Really fun. This season's gone by so fast. I look at our record and it's pretty good. It's looking pretty bright." Kris Bryant on winning nine of 10 Up next Vs. Giants, 1:10 p.m. Sunday, CSN. Chicago Sun-Times Starlin Castro frustrated but understands benching By Brian Sandalow Starlin Castro is frustrated with his position. He also understands it and wants what s best for the Cubs. Castro sat for the second straight day, watching the Cubs 8-6 win over the San Francisco Giants. Kyle Schwarber remained in left field, Chris Coghlan started at second base and Addison Russell stayed at shortstop, meaning there was no room for Castro. I feel a little frustrated especially yesterday when they tell me I m not going to play for I don t know when. In the beginning I take it like really personal but after that I think about it and you can t put those guys on the bench, Castro said. They re really hot right now and I understand, and that s why I (thought) about it last night all night. Whatever they can do for the team. At least for now and maybe longer, the best thing is Castro coming off the bench. He s only got a.271 on-base percentage, slugging.304 and according to Baseball Reference s version of the statistic is at -0.6 wins above replacement. He ll have to get himself righted from a place he s not used to, but Castro still believes in himself. I never put my head down. I know the talent that I got, Castro said. I know the player that I am, and just keep working, keep doing my routine like the same thing I do when I play every day. Joe Maddon said a discussion with Castro about playing other positions hasn t come up. Castro said he s open to a switch but he d want to talk about it with Cubs brass. But at this point, Castro has to be ready to play when he s called on whenever that is. He was up to pinch-hit twice (Friday) and could have stayed in the game, Maddon said. There s a bunch of different scenarios. He was ready to play (Friday). I thought that was great. You could see him at any point. That point wasn t Saturday and it won t be to begin Sunday. Maddon said Russell will start again at shortstop. Just coming to the clubhouse I really don t know where I m going to play, Russell said. I ve just got to make sure that I m ready and prepared. I just do my best to get my body ready for the game.
Chicago Sun-Times Cubs rookies performing in heat of playoff race By Brian Sandalow This is the time when rookies are expected to show their inexperience. A blunder here or a brain cramp there could be anticipated from first-year players thrust into a playoff race. That isn t happening to the Cubs right now, who beat the San Francisco Giants 8-6 on Saturday. Kyle Schwarber had two more hits and drove in what turned out to be a key run in the eighth inning. Kris Bryant hit his 15th homer in the third and beat out a double-play grounder to bring in another run. Addison Russell once again played sparkling defense at shortstop and went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Jorge Soler scored and extended his hitting streak to eight games. Not bad for youngsters who ve never been in this position, and they helped the Cubs extend their lead over the Giants to 2 1/2 games for the second wildcard spot. It s exciting to me, Russell said. Whenever we re in big positions like that it kind of hypes me up and I think that I get more into the game. I think, as competitors we all do that. It s pretty cool being able to feel that atmosphere on the big-league level. Miguel Montero, who had an RBI single in his first start since suffering a left thumb sprain July 11, is impressed. They ve been amazing. They ve been doing a great job, Montero said. All around, they re pretty pro. This weekend s atmosphere at Wrigley Field has been different than anything the young players have experienced. The time for patience and development is gone and games matter now as a team and its fans start to sense something about this season. Four months in and after winning the first three against the Giants those rookies are showing they can be keys to a team in playoff position. I don t want them to think about anything other than just play, Joe Maddon said. The latest addition to the group is Schwarber, who s hitting.352 and already has nine multi-hit games. Both Bryant and Kyle Hendricks praised Schwarber s presence in the lineup and his ability to look for good pitches to hit and attack. He s been huge, said Hendricks, who pitched into the sixth for the win. The whole lineup has kind of taken over the mentality of how he goes about it when he s up there. Bryant echoed that. Obviously it s easy to see the numbers and the hits and stuff but I think he brings more of a presence, Bryant said. I think that s more important than any home run or double that you can hit on the field. I think having his name in the lineup is extremely important to us and obviously he s been a key role in our success recently. But I wouldn t expect anything else from him. The guy s a freak of nature and it s been fun watching him play. The Cubs are clearly having fun as a group. They ve won nine of 10 as they approach a favorable part of the schedule and could finish a four-game sweep Sunday against a team that s won three of the last five World Series. We have a lot of confidence, Bryant said. I think our bats are turning around a little bit and our pitchers are doing what they did all year. I think it s looking pretty bright.
Chicago Sun-Times Late runs help Cubs beat Giants to extend lead By Brian Sandalow Joe Maddon calls late add-on scores jug runs. The Cubs got them Saturday. And they needed them. Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer, Addison Russell had three hits, Miguel Montero had the go-ahead single in the fifth inning, and the Cubs beat the Giants 8-6 on Saturday in front of 41,305 at Wrigley Field. Kyle Hendricks (6-3) pitched into the sixth inning, giving the Cubs their third straight win over the Giants while pushing their lead for the second wildcard spot to 2 1/2 games over the defending champs. The Cubs led 8-3 entering the ninth after scoring three times in the eighth. Russell had an RBI single, Dexter Fowler contributed a run-scoring triple, and Kyle Schwarber capped the rally with a single that brought in Fowler. The ninth inning showed the importance of tacking on late runs. With Hector Rondon unavailable, James Russell and Jason Motte combined to allow three runs before Justin Grimm got the final out for the win. The add-ons, the jugs, you go for the jugular. You try to take the momentum away from the other team, Maddon said. They don t really get it sometimes. They keep playing. Those three runs were huge for us. They matched it. We were able to hang on. With the win, the Cubs moved a season-high 13 games over.500 while winning for the ninth time in 10. They did it with their recently shuffled lineup: Schwarber in left field, Chris Coghlan at second base, Russell playing shortstop and Starlin Castro on the bench. Maddon said he s seeing a much more consistent method of play from his team. I m seeing really starting to believe in ourselves, Maddon said. I m still looking for that late-inning swagger kind of a thing. I think it s almost there where if things get a little freaky we re still OK. That s the next step. But overall, you can t complain. The effort, the intensity, tenacity, whatever you want to call it. Our guys show up to play every day. I love it. Hendricks didn t love his outing. He pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs and five hits to win his second straight start. It was OK, Hendricks said. I wasn t sharp again, but made enough good pitches to battle through it. The Cubs offense supported him, with Bryant hitting his first homer since July 27. He conceded that recently he s missed a lot of hittable pitches but he didn t miss in the bottom of the third when he hit a hanging Matt Cain breaking ball well into the left-field bleachers to score Anthony Rizzo and give the Cubs a 3-2 lead. I think that s just normal as a baseball player. You can t hit them all, Bryant said. These pitchers are so good, their stuff. I mean, nasty cutters, two-seamers. You re not going to square them up every time. Sometimes it s just a success to foul one off. When you do get a good one that s not as sharp you ve got to make sure that you hit it and hit it hard, he added. I think recently I think I ve been doing that. Cain entered Saturday 6-2 with a 2.38 earned-run average lifetime against the Cubs but only went four-plus innings and allowed six hits and five earned runs.
Daily Herald Chicago Cubs' Castro 'frustrated but he understands benching By Bruce Miles Starlin Castro said Saturday he's doing his best to deal with losing his job as the Cubs' regular shortstop. "I felt a little frustrated, especially when they told me I'm not going to play for I don't know when," he said. "In the beginning, I took it really personal. After that, I thought about it. "You can't put those guys on the bench. They're really hot right now and I understand. I thought about it last night. I'll do whatever I can do for the team." Cubs manager Joe Maddon did not start Castro in either Friday's or Saturday's games against the Giants, and he said he would not again Sunday. On Friday, Maddon said it was not just a day off for Castro, who has struggled at the plate all season. Addison Russell has replaced Castro as the starting shortstop, moving over from second base. Chris Coghlan has moved from left field to second base, and Kyle Schwarber has moved from catcher to left field. Since first coming to the major leagues in 2010, Castro had been an everyday player. "That's the first time," he said of the benching. "I never put my head down. I know the talent that I've got. I know the kind of player that I am. Just keep working and doing my routine." Maddon said he understands if Castro is frustrated. "I would be frustrated, too, from his side," the manager said. "But I thought he was very professional about it. We've got to get him right and still work him back in there. Nothing has changed. We like the kid a lot, and we're going to try to get him back on his feet and play him if we can." Castro said no one has talked to him about switching positions, and Maddon said that's not a topic of conversation. Even though Castro's future with the Cubs looks uncertain, he said he's not thinking he will be gone. "I don't really think about another team," he said. The legend grows: Earlier this season, rookie Kris Bryant was all the rage. He's still doing well, but now talk has turned to catcheroutfielder Kyle Schwarber. He was 2-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Giants. Schwarber's line is.352/.436/.625 with 6 homers and 21 RBI in 27 games. "Obviously, it's easy to see the numbers and the hits and stuff," Bryant said of Schwarber. "But I think he brings more of a presence, and I think that's more important than any home run or double you can hit on the field. "His name in the lineup is really important to us. Obviously, he's (played) a key role in our success recently. But I wouldn't expect anything else from him. The guy's a freak of nature, and it's been fun watching him play." Ross out, Szczur back up: Catcher David Ross went on the bereavement list Saturday after the death of his grandmother. He must remain on the list for at least three days and no more than seven.
The Cubs recalled outfielder Matt Szczur from Class AAA Iowa. Szczur, who opened the season on the 25-man roster, joins the Cubs for the sixth time this year. Daily Herald McKnight: For now, is Castro move that big a plus? By Connor McKnight Starlin Castro's long-term future has been a subject of debate since the moment Tom Ricketts hired Theo Epstein. Even in his best season, when he hit.307/.341/.432 in 2011, you could see the rough edges Epstein was about to try to round off. With his lack of plate discipline, his groundball tendency or simply his questionable attention span at short, Castro was at best a jewel in need of polishing. At worst, well, you might be watching the worst. Change! Change, they yell from the bleachers to the balcony. The problem is, with the Cubs committing to their core of young talent for the 2015 season, there's not much change to be had. The most popular call is for Addison Russell to move over to short. Russell, rated by most scouts to be a better shortstop than Castro even before the former's promotion to the major-league roster, would give the Cubs better defense. There's little debating that point. At worst, the range and arm of both players would be about the same level. Call that a wash. It could be addition by subtraction, however. Cubs fans have seen (and felt and cringed and wretched and cursed) Castro's mental lapses in the field. Almost assuredly, Russell can't repeat those. So while Russell to shortstop might calm the nerves of Cubs fans (and perhaps even manager Joe Maddon, though he'd never admit it) it doesn't fix much offensively. Russell had a fine little run (.273/.351/.424) in 10 games after the all-star break. In the next stretch (nine games between July 28 and Aug. 8) Russell hit.200/.250/.267. Russell is young. One of the youngest players in the bigs. There's no reason to add the pressure of playing shortstop on a playoff contender to his inexperience at the plate especially when it doesn't net much in the overall. Javier Baez could be a playing-time contender as the Cubs near September. Baez, who has been raking since coming back from injury just a few weeks ago, drew rave reviews from Maddon about his defense during spring training. Owning an OPS over.950 in AAA this season doesn't hurt either. The swing-and-miss always will be part of Baez's profile at the plate, but while Castro's OPS sits well under.600 for the season, last in all qualified shortstops this year, it's fair to wonder what a bat with those holes could do. The wild card here is a wily veteran addition. The Cubs are being active on waiver claims and it's worth wondering if older, big-money shortstops (think Jimmy Rollins or even Alexei Ramirez) would be worth fliers if their clubs would let them go cheap. As the roster stands, there isn't a better option for Maddon's middle infield. He's got to stick it out. Perhaps the cavalry arrives in the form of a veteran add. Perhaps Baez makes a September push and forces a decision.
Until then, Maddon's August looks like it will come with a heavy dose of Starlin Castro. Daily Herald Chicago Cubs starting to believe By Bruce Miles Stuff's starting to get real, isn't it? The Chicago Cubs are doing a few things much earlier than most people anticipated. One of those things is winning. They held on Saturday for an 8-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. That gave them 3 wins in three days over the defending world champions. The Cubs now lead the Giants by 2½ games for the second wild-card spot in the National League. The victory was the 61st of the season against 48 losses. It was as recent as 2012 that the Cubs won 61 games for an entire season. Along with the winning, something else might be developing in this young club: a killer instinct. This game got hairy at the end for the Cubs' bullpen, which gave up 3 runs in the ninth inning. But in the bottom of the eighth, Cubs hitters had scored 3 very important insurance runs. So often, you'll hear managers talk about getting those "add-on" runs. "You call it 'jug runs,' when you go for the jugular," said manager Joe Maddon. "When you have the lead in your last at-bat, bottom of the eighth or the top of the ninth, you attempt to go for jug runs. I've been doing that since 1987 when I was the minor-league hitting coach with the Angels. "Your add-ons. The jugs. You go for the jugular. You try to take the momentum away from the other team. They don't really get it sometimes; they keep playing. Those 3 runs were huge for it. They matched it. We were able to hang on today without a full bullpen, which was great." So does a team that starts four rookies have a killer instinct? "I'm seeing a much more consistent method of play," the manager said. "I'm seeing (that) we're really starting to believe in ourselves. I'm still looking for that late-inning swagger kind of a thing. I think it's almost there, where if things get a little freaky, we're still OK. That's the next step. "But overall you can't complain. The effort, the intensity, the tenacity, whatever you want to call it, our guys show up to play every day. I love it." One of those rookies, third baseman Kris Bryant, contributed with an RBI forceout in the first inning and a 2-run homer in the third. That homer gave the Cubs a 3-2 lead. "How about him beating out the double play early on?" Maddon said. "That's the thing that really sticks with me." Maddon went on to call Bryant "one of the better young baseball players I've had, period." The home run was Bryant's 15th of the season, and he leads the team in RBI, with 64. It has been quite a ride for the rookie since he came up on April 17.
"Yeah, really fun," he said. "The season's gone by so fast. I look at our record now, and it's pretty good. Beating guys like the San Francisco Giants, who have done it plenty of times. They're a really good team and never give up. We have a lot of confidence. Our at-bats are turning around a little bit. Our pitchers start doing what they did all year. I think it's looking pretty bright." Starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks got the win to improve to 6-5 with a 3.73 ERA. He lasted 5⅓ innings and got key relief from lefty Travis Wood. Hendricks said he was "OK," but he likes the feeling on the team. "It's just fun to go out there and play loose," he said. "These are big games, but we know there's still a lot of baseball left. There's still two months. We want to win these games, but you want to win every game at this point if you're trying to make it to the playoffs. "Joe knows. He puts that kind of relaxed mentality, and just go out there and have fun. Guys are really running with it." Cubs.com Cubs add to Wild Card lead over Giants By Carrie Muskat and Chris Haft CHICAGO Kris Bryant drove in three runs, including two on his 15th home run, to lead the Cubs to an 8-6 victory over the Giants on Saturday and open more breathing room in the National League Wild Card race. Rookie Addison Russell had three hits, including an RBI single in the eighth, to help Kyle Hendricks pick up the win, which was the Cubs' ninth in their last 10 games. Chicago now has a 2 1/2-game lead over San Francisco in the Wild Card standings. Bryant's home run was obviously important, but the key for manager Joe Maddon were the three runs the Cubs added in the eighth off Santiago Casilla on RBI hits by Russell, Dexter Fowler and Kyle Schwarber. Those are what Maddon likes to call "jug runs," as in "going for the jugular." They turned out to be huge as the Giants rallied for three runs in the ninth. "That's a big inning," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I don't know if Casilla wasn't focused, but we were trying to keep it within two." Brandon Belt hit a two-run homer in the second but it wasn't enough. This is the third time in as many games that the Giants starter lasted four innings. On Saturday, it was Matt Cain, making his seventh start, who walked a season-high five batters. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Kid stuff: The Cubs loaded the bases in the first and Bryant picked up an RBI when he hit into a fielder's choice. His third-inning homer scored Anthony Rizzo, who singled. It was Bryant's first home run and multi-rbi game since July 27, and he now leads all Major League rookies with 64 RBIs. "People are looking at his batting average, his numbers, whatever," Maddon said of Bryant, who was batting.248. "He's one of the better young baseball players I've had. Period." Divergent paths: With the score tied, 3-3, the Cubs scored twice in the fifth after having two on with nobody out. The Giants had two on with one out in the sixth and couldn't capitalize on that opportunity. The Cubs have generated more scoring chances in this series, going 11-for-30 with runners in scoring position. The Giants are 6-for-23 in those situations.
Welcome back: In his first game back from the disabled list, Miguel Montero hit an RBI single in the fifth and scored a run in the eighth. Montero also nursed Hendricks through 5 1/3 innings against a tough Giants team. However, the veteran catcher's playing time may be limited because of Schwarber, who started in left field for the fourth time this season and extended his hitting streak to six games. "Having his name on the lineup is extremely important to us and, obviously, he's been a key role in our success recently," Bryant said of Schwarber. "I wouldn't expect anything less from him. The guy is a freak of nature and it's been fun watching him play." They might be Giants: San Francisco gave its fans a few things to shout about. Belt's two-run, second-inning homer, which gave the Giants their first lead of the series, was the club's 66th on the road, more than any NL team. Hunter Pence singled and scored twice, extending his personal Wrigley Field hitting streak to 14 games. And Brandon Crawford has driven in at least one run in each game of the series. QUOTABLE "I'm seeing a much more consistent effort of play. I see we're really starting to believe in ourselves. I'm still looking for that late-inning swagger kind of thing. I think it's almost there, where if things get a little freaky, we're still OK. That's the next step. Overall, you can't complain. The effort, the intensity, the tenacity whatever you want to call it our guys show up to play every day. I love it." Maddon. SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS According to STATS LLC, Russell is the all-time National League single-season record holder for at-bats, runs, doubles, RBIs, walks and strikeouts as the No. 9 hitter in the lineup. Maddon prefers having the pitcher bat eighth, and Russell made his 86th start in the No. 9 spot Saturday. In the three games between the two teams so far, Giants starters have combined for a 9.75 ERA (13 earned runs over 12 innings), while Cubs starters have a 3.86 ERA (seven runs over 16 1/3 innings). REPLAY REVIEW Crawford was called safe on an infield hit to second baseman Chris Coghlan with one out in the Giants' second but the Cubs challenged the call and after a review, it was overturned. Schwarber was called out on a stolen-base attempt at second in the sixth but the Cubs challenged the call, and after a review, it was ruled the call stands. WHAT'S NEXT Giants: Jake Peavy, who pitched for the crosstown White Sox from 2009-2013, will try to recover some of his Chicago mojo in Sunday's series finale against the Cubs starting at 11:20 a.m. PT. Cubs: Jake Arrieta will close the four-game series Sunday, vying for his 10th straight quality start. The right-hander has a 3.07 ERA in 10 starts at Wrigley Field. First pitch will be 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. Cubs.com Bryant's efforts big and small make difference By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO It wasn't Kris Bryant's home run that impressed Cubs manager Joe Maddon as much as the rookie's hustle in the first inning Saturday.
The Cubs had one out and the bases loaded when Bryant hit a potential double-play ball to Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford. But Bryant beat the throw to first from second baseman Ehire Adrianza and a run scored, the first of what would be three RBIs for the Cubs rookie in an 8-6 win. "Everybody's always into the base hits," Maddon said. "Crawford, their guy, had a tremendous game not a good game, he had a tremendous game. [Bryant] beats out a well-struck ball and they turned it clean, and he beat it out. That to me was one of the biggest moments in today's game. "Of course, the homer was obvious, but if you break his game down and what he's doing and the rest of his game, that, to me, is what's most impressive." Bryant connected on his 15th homer with one out in the third to go ahead, 3-2, and raise his RBI total to 64, which leads the Cubs and all Major League rookies. "He's a good baseball player," Maddon said. "That's what I don't want to get overlooked by all of this. People are looking at his batting average, his numbers, whatever. He's one of the better young baseball players I've had. Period." Bryant is batting.248 overall and.169 since the All-Star break. Saturday was his first home run and multi-rbi game since July 27. He's been working with hitting coach John Mallee on his swing. "We're focusing on being a little more short, direct to the ball," Bryant said. "I feel like when I miss the ball, I'm usually under it, fouling it back. I'm just trying to get the barrel up a little bit, trying to hit more of the middle of the ball. I've been working on that real hard in the cage and batting practice, and I'm seeing some results in the game. It's nice." Maddon has stressed to the young Cubs that they can contribute to a win in other ways than hitting home runs. That message has stuck with Bryant. "There's always a way to impact a game, whether it be with a glove, obviously with your bat, or baserunning," Bryant said. "I take pride in that, just trying to earn the respect of my teammates hustling down the line, whether it be a chopper back to the pitcher, or today, a nice hard hit that the guy made a really good play on. I take a lot of pride in that." Cubs.com Cubs put Ross on bereavement list, call up Szczur By Greg Garno and Carrie Muskat CHICAGO The Cubs have placed catcher David Ross on the bereavement list and recalled outfielder Matt Szczur from Triple-A Iowa, the team announced Saturday. Ross will be away a minimum of three games and maximum of seven days after his grandmother passed away. There was no return date for Ross listed at the time. He started Friday's game behind the plate to catch starter Jon Lester. The move leaves the Cubs with two catchers rookie Kyle Schwarber and Miguel Montero, who was activated from the disabled list Friday. Szczur, who was optioned to Iowa to make room for Montero, was recalled for the sixth time this season. He entered Saturday batting.217 in 60 at-bats this season with eight RBIs and one home run. Addison Russell has always wanted to play shortstop in the big leagues, and the Cubs rookie is getting his chance. Russell, who has started 84 games at second base, made his seventh start at shortstop Saturday, moving to the other side of the infield to replace Starlin Castro, who has been benched indefinitely.
"I've been playing that position since I was a little kid," Russell said of shortstop. "Finally my dreams are coming true. But I just want to help the team. They'll put me where they need me, and I'll try to get the job done." Playing so much second base has helped the 21-year-old understand what he needs to do at shortstop as well. "I know the tendencies of second base now, so I can get a better feel for shortstop," Russell said. "They're two completely different jobs. I like short, I like second." Russell didn't know exactly why he was moved, something manager Joe Maddon did to get Schwarber in the mix and generate more offense. "I don't know what's going on," Russell said. "[Castro] has always been a good teammate and he picks me up whenever I'm down." Maddon said they're working with right fielder Jorge Soler on his defensive play and to forget bad at-bats when he's in the field. "It's just the way a guy's motor runs," Maddon said. "I've had really good players and when they're hitting well, the motor is fine, and when they're not hitting well, the motor becomes a concern. We're trying to get [Soler] to understand that even when things aren't going well, to stay in that higher gear." Cubs.com Castro staying positive despite benching By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO Starlin Castro admitted he took it personally when manager Joe Maddon told the Cubs shortstop that he would not be playing but Saturday, he said he understood the move. "I felt a little frustrated, especialy [Friday] when they told me I'm not going to play for I don't know when," Castro said. "In the beginning, I took it really personal. After that, I thought about it. You can't put those guys on the bench. They're really hot right now and I understand. I thought about it last night. I'll do whatever I can do for the team." With the Cubs trying to secure a playoff spot, Maddon wanted to get red-hot rookie catcher Kyle Schwarber's bat in the lineup against right-handed pitchers. On Friday, Schwarber started in left field, outfielder Chris Coghlan moved to second and Addison Russell switched to shortstop. Maddon employed the same lineup Saturday. How long Castro, 25, will be benched has not been determined. "Maybe a little break, a little rebooting, something like that, will help," Maddon said. "I really like [Castro]. I want to see it work out for him." Castro has not been approached about changing positions, but Maddon said he and the Cubs front office are considering all options. "Whatever you can do for the team, you have to do," Castro said. "We're here to win. If that helps the team right now, you have to take it. I'll keep doing my [preparations] every day and given the chance, I'll do my job to help the team." Castro's goal in Spring Training is to play all 162 games, but he has scuffled at the plate, batting.236 entering Saturday. Being told he was sitting for an indefinite period of time was a first. "I never put my head down," Castro said. "I know the player I am. I'll just keep working, keep doing my routine. I'll get back on track."
A three-time All-Star, Castro was a.300 hitter his first two seasons in the big leagues and hit.292 last year before he was sidelined in September with an ankle injury. He's trying to stay positive. "The most important thing is try to be consistent in the field and confident," Castro said. "The most important thing is confidence. If you have confidence at the plate, anything can happen." Cubs.com Surging Arrieta clashes with Peavy to cap series By Greg Garno The Cubs and Giants still have nearly seven weeks left before the regular season is over, but Sunday's series finale between both teams will likely have a different feel to it as the Cubs try for a four-game sweep. Chicago and San Francisco are separated by 2 1/2 games for the second Wild Card spot in the National League, so the pressure to win now looms as big as ever. With four rookies on their roster, the Cubs are savoring that feeling. "It's exciting to me," said rookie second baseman Addison Russell. "Whenever we're in big positions like that, it kind of hypes me up and [I] get even more into the game. I think, as competitors, we all do that. So it's pretty cool to feel that atmosphere." Chicago sends Jake Arrieta to close out the series, having thrown a quality start in nine straight outings. The righthander has earned the win in six of those contests, allowing a combined 10 earned runs. The Giants will ride Jake Peavy's best start of the season when he takes the mound. Peavy surrendered one run on five hits in six innings, striking out a season-high eight batters. Things to know about this game: Though he carries a 4.37 ERA on the road, compared to a 3.18 mark at home, many of Peavy's numbers are actually better away from home. Of Peavy's 33 strikeouts, 21 came on the road, where opponents are batting.241 as opposed to.264 at AT&T Park. Perhaps the key to Arrieta's success this season is that he's throwing harder. The average velocity on all five of Arrieta's pitches fastball, sinker, slider, curveball and changeup is faster than in any of his five previous seasons, according to Fangraphs. As a result, Arrieta's 152 strikeouts at this point in the season is a career high. His overall season best is 167, set last year. The Cubs are still unsure about who will catch for Arrieta on Sunday. With David Ross on the bereavement list, Chicago could use left-handed batter Miguel Montero or move Kyle Schwarber from left field to his natural position behind the plate. ESPNChicago.com Cubs take down Giants again as the rookies have their day By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO The best stretch of offense from the Chicago Cubs this season continued Saturday as the entire lineup - - led by four rookies took down the reigning champion San Francisco Giants for the third straight day. Anywhere a Giant pitcher turned, he was facing a dangerous bat led once again by catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber.
"I wouldn't expect anything else from him, rookie Kris Bryant said after the 8-6 victory. The guy is a freak of nature. It s been fun watching him play. Schwarber went 2-for-4 with an RBI and even made hard contact on his outs. Coincidence or not, the entire lineup has been hitting since he returned to the big leagues for the second half. Since the All-Star break, the Cubs rank fourth in the National League in scoring. That's up from 11th in the first half. The whole lineup has taken over the mentality of how he goes about it, Saturday s winner, Kyle Hendricks, said. That might be overstating the case for a rookie just getting his first taste of the major leagues, but the sentiment fits. All of a sudden, the Cubs are getting solid at-bats up and down the lineup. Before, it was just Anthony Rizzo who presented danger for the opposition. Right fielder Jorge Soler is working counts like he did a year ago and throughout his minor league career. He had a hit and a walk Saturday. Addison Russell has been reborn at the plate and has been rewarded by getting to play his natural and favorite position again. He had three hits, including two doubles, his 19th and 20th of the season. Then there s Bryant. Mired in what us mortals would consider a bad slump, he came alive Saturday with a hustle play to beat a hard hit fielder s choice, which plated a run in the first. He then launched a two-run homer in the third inning when Giants starter Matt Cain hung a breaking pitch. He has been missing some of those mistakes lately. You can t hit them all, Bryant said. Sometimes, it s a success just to foul them off. When you do get a good one that s not as sharp, you have to make sure you hit it and hit it hard. Recently, I think I ve been doing that. Combined, the four rookies went 7-for-14 with five RBIs, while the puppetmaster keeps working his magic behind the scenes. Although the Cubs are on the verge of a shocking sweep of their main wild-card competition and the defending World Series champions in front of rabid, sold-out crowds manager Joe Maddon isn t interested in any of it. I don t want them to think about anything but just play, he said. I don t want extra work, too much work or too much information. It's Saturday s game. Tomorrow is Sunday s game. Play it like you know how. Maddon would probably prefer friends, family and reporters to treat it the same way. He likened reminding them that it is a big game or series to telling a golfer what a nice backswing he has. Things are going swimmingly well, and all of a sudden, someone points something out to you, Maddon explained. You start thinking about it, and you re not nearly as good. It s those kinds of tricks Maddon will need to employ in the final weeks of the season, as the Cubs keep pushing themselves further into the wild-card picture. It started with a pitching staff that kept them in it in the first half, but now the offense has taken over. Saturday marked the fifth consecutive game in which the Cubs scored five or more runs and the ninth consecutive of at least four. Remember those days when it was a grind to score three? The Cubs nearly needed every one of those runs Saturday, as the Giants mounted a rally in the ninth inning. No worries, though: The Cubs scored three in the eighth to extend a 5-3 advantage. Jug runs, jugular runs, when you have the lead in your last at-bat and you add on, Maddon said. I ve been doing that since 1987 as the minor league hitting coach for the Angels. The Cubs can add on like that because they have a lineup far more mature then its collective average age. Some players such as Schwarber or Russell could easily be playing in the minors, but they re surprising the baseball world now with success in the big leagues. Now there is something more at work, as one day is feeding into the next at the plate. The Cubs got down 2-1 early Saturday but never flinched. Confidence in that lineup is high right now, so we knew we were going to score some runs and turn it around, Hendricks said.
Maddon sees the confidence rising as well. He is acutely aware of the mental progression of his team. It s getting there. This weekend, so far, is another indicator. I m seeing a much more consistent method of play, Maddon stated. I m seeing [we're] really starting to believe in ourselves. I m still looking for that late-inning swagger kind of a thing. It s almost there. Where things get a little freaky, we re still OK. That s the next step. ESPNChicago.com Rapid Reaction: Cubs 8, Giants 6 By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO The Chicago Cubs beat the San Francisco Giants 8-6 on Saturday afternoon. Here's a quick look at the game. How it happened: Kris Bryant drove in three runs with a hard-hit fielder's choice in the first inning and then had a two-run home run in the third. In between, Brandon Belt homered for the Giants to give them a brief 2-1 lead. The Giants tied it in the fourth as a Brandon Crawford double brought home Hunter Pence. But the Cubs took the lead for good in the fifth after chasing starter Matt Cain. Miguel Montero drove home a run with a single while Kyle Hendricks also brought one home on a double-play ball. Hendricks lasted 5 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and three runs. The Cubs tacked on three runs in the eighth on an RBI single from Addison Russell, a triple from Dexter Fowler and an RBI single from Kyle Schwarber. Those proved to be important runs as the Giants got three back in the top of the ninth before Justin Grimm came in to get the final out. What it means: It might mean a lot for Bryant, as he had some good at-bats. He hit a hanging breaking pitch for his 15th home run of the season. It's significant because he hasn't taken advantage of many mistakes lately; hitting one out of the park could be the spark he needs. It's also significant because the win marked the fifth straight game the Cubs have scored five or more runs. Every starter had at least one hit. The Cubs aren't relying on just Anthony Rizzo anymore. The Cubs have already won the series to push their wild-card lead to 2 1/2 games in front of the Giants, but a sweep would definitely send one of those late-season messages to the rest of the National League: the Cubs aren't going anywhere in the final weeks of the season. Maybe people already think that. These first three games have proven one thing above all else: the Cubs have better pitching up and down their staff than the world champs. No pitching change: Joe Maddon indicated this weekend he won't skip Dan Haren's next scheduled start on Tuesday night. With an off-day on Monday, the Cubs could go back to their top four starters on normal rest but Maddon hasn't made a habit of skipping starts, preferring the extra days off. What's next: The Cubs go for the sweep on Sunday afternoon when Jake Arrieta (12-6, 2.50) takes on Jake Peavy (2-4, 3.77). ESPNChicago.com David Ross on bereavement list, Cubs recall Matt Szczur By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO The Chicago Cubs placed catcher David Ross on the bereavement list on Saturday while recalling outfielder Matt Szczur to take his place. Ross will miss a minimum of three days and a maximum of seven, according to the collective bargaining agreement, after the passing of his grandmother. The team expects him back in the middle of next week.