Latest News
In listening to all the discussion about the Chicago Cubs positioning themselves to make a splash with increased international signing bonus money where the age limit is lower than for American players, it would appear Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and the rest of the front office has convinced ownership the Cubs quite possibly will be in contention for an under-20 team title. Not on a big-league level, of course. But nothing quite like providing hope for Cubs fans. Even if that hope might be illusory. Or, as some might realize, not realized unless the front office is more brilliant than it might envision itself.
Scroll down for Mickie James video.
* Speaking of winning baseball and the Cubs, the best team in baseball will be on display this weekend at Wrigley Field. If you guessed that team is not the Cubs, congratulations. If you did not, well, we need to talk. The Pittsburgh Pirates (52-32) lead the National League Central in general and the Cubs in particular (15.5 games back are your North Side heroes). The last time the Pirates had a winning record was the 1992 season. To put that drought in some perspective, Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado (who was on display this week at U.S. Cellular Field vs. the White Sox) was born on July 6, 1992. Texas Rangers shortstop Jurickson Profar was born in 1993.
* Matt Guerrier, obtained in the trade that sent pitcher Carlos Marmol to the Los Angeles Dodgers, had a memorable — and incredibly Cub-like — Cubs debut. He allowed a run on a Welington Castillo passed ball in a 1-0 loss to the host Oakland Athletics.
* Speaking of Cubs pitchers to suffer ill fortunes, starter Travis Wood lowered his earned-run average to 2.69 with six shutout innings. The left-hander has three consecutive no-decisions and is 0-3 in his last six starts (2.58 ERA). As a consolation prize, he likely will end on the National League pitching staff for the All-Star Game.
* On the bright (?) side for the Cubs, shortstop Starlin Castro did draw his 14th walk of the season. Meaning he has as many of those as he does errors.
* Speaking of Cubs walks (or lack thereof), Alfonso Soriano’s next walk will put him in double digits for the season. What team wouldn’t want to trade for a hitter like that?
* Speaking of double-digit walk totals, White Sox infielder Jeff Keppinger drew his 10th of the season in a 3-2 victory vs. the visiting Orioles. Adam Dunn’s walkoff home run was the ninth of his career, which ties him for third in walkoff homers among active players. In a season like this, it is statistics like that that diehard fans point to. For what? It doesn’t really matter — as long as they are pointing away from the standings, where the Sox find themselves comfortably (OK, more like uncomfortably) ensconced in last place in the American League Central. On the bright (?) side, the Sox are only one game under .500 at home (19-20). And wouldn’t you know it, with a one-game winning streak at home it’s now time for a trip to play Tampa Bay.
* Speaking of home records, the Cubs are tied for the fewest home victories (17-22). On the bright (?) side, the Houston Astros are 17-32 at home and the New York Mets 17-27.
Here is where we go for our daily dose of non-gratuitous video (thanks to the hard work of the editorial and video departments at elliottharris.com and the fact that they labored diligently on Independence Day; also thanks to the fine folks at Sports Illustrated who have ranked the top SI swimsuit models of all time):
Advertising opportunities are available on ElliottHarris.com. For information and rates, contact sales@elliottharis.com.