UMFan83

Yikes

At least the Twins have 1st and 3rd with 0 outs. Recent history suggests good things are coming for the Cubs.

Dansbys having quite the last few minutes

1st and 3rd, 0 outs in each of the first 2 innings and 0 runs scored - the cubs are back!! (yes they scored before the 1st and 3rd situation in the 1st but still)

You're not wrong, I just think it's funny the examples you used for the Cubs are a former all-star with a career OPS+ of 116 and a former 1st round pick (both of them actually are former 1st round picks). Your point is accurate, many teams pick up lesser thought of players and turn them into contributors. The Cubs have a type too, and when they acquire a crappy pitcher, we assume they see something in them that fits their pitching philosophy and can potentially be fixed. The Brewers definitely seem to be above average at doing this but not to the point where we should be immediately worried about Colton Gordon being the next scrapheap superstar for the Brewers.

England really is the Charlie Brown of soccer. They rarely just lose in major tournaments, they find the most painful ways to go out.

Not entirely sure but I believe the MLB has tentatively selected Oracle Park in SF for the 2028 game, but there's also the potential impact of the Olympics as they are trying to clear the path for MLB players to play. My guess is they would likely move the game to 2029 if its not played next year. Edit: And I guess the MLB has reportedly promised the Cubs the 2029 game if the 2027 game is wiped out https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2025/08/24/guardians-mlb-gambling-investigation-emmanuel-clase-luis-ortiz/85804280007/

This is the most disappointing outcome from a highly hyped game since Michigan whooped Arizona in the Final Four (sorry I can't help myself)

There is so much to speculate about this. Is Bruce just a FO/ownership hater or is he describing them this way because Craig and him have discussed frustration with Jed and co before? This is wild edit: I guess it doesn’t have to be craig he was attempting to speak to but still

As it's been a week since the US loss to Belgium, I'm starting to think deeper about which of the last 2 World Cup squads performed better in the event. At first glance, even with the humbling to Belgium I would think that 2026 team was better, but digging deeper, I'm starting to side with the 2022 team, with the caveat that the 2022 team was missing an elite finisher. In 2022, the US was in a group with England (5), Wales (19) and Iran (21). They went 1-2-0 against that group, scoring 2 goals, conceding 1 goal (on a PK). They then played Netherlands (10) and lost 3-1. Overall they scored 3 goals and conceded 4. Average opponent ranking of 14 (FIFA rankings are sketch but w/e) 2026, the US was in a group with Türkiye (27), Australia (28), and Paraguay (34). They went 2-0-1 against the group, scoring 8 goals and conceding 4. They then beat Bosnia and Herzegovina (61) 2-0 in a knockout game and then got exposed by Belgium (8) 4-1 in the R16. Overall they scored 11 goals and conceded 8. Average opponent ranking of 32 Tactically the 2022 team was probably more cohesive tactically and stronger defensively. They shut down a powerful England squad, and even in the Netherlands game they had a better xGA and possession statistics (though partially because the Dutch led most of the game). The biggest problem they had was finishing, which ironically was one of the 2026's team's biggest strengths with Balogun but also stronger more aggressive passing and attacking in the midfield. I'm not sure if simply adding Balogun instead of Sargent/Wright/Ferreira changes everything but I'm sure it makes some difference. So did the US make progress from 2022 to 2026? Probably...it seems like part of the roller coaster in performances is due to Poch trying to transition the US into a more attacking team which looks great against opponents outside the top 20 but sometimes causes issues against elite teams. Some of it is our back line depth just wasn't up to par. Greggggg's style certainly seems like it had a ceiling, so I am not sure that him coaching the 2026 team leads to any better results. Would love to get the soccerheads input on this. I would never call myself a soccer expert...I've been watching soccer for 2 decades but never analyzed things closely until my kids started playing travel soccer and started to really understand some of the strategy behind the game better. But I could sound like an idiot too, that's fine 😆

Yes, especially in Cincinnati. In fact, I might just ban them from Cincinnati altogether.

Cubs are 6-1 against the Reds, of course the 1 loss is the game my kids went to.

Thank god he’s heating up finally thank you former Cub great Pierce Johnson for the assist

That’s an AB that would be impossible to fathom from PCA even a year ago. Goes down in the count with 2 strikes on him against a lefty, works it full and hits a line drive single. Incredible improvement.

PCA was definitely out even though it was close. But so were the Reds in the 1st

Thank you base for the assist

I know he’s a rookie but that’s too big of a situation to not challenge strike 2. Come on

Unreal. If we don’t score this inning that’s a giant failure

How a run didn’t score there or Nico didn’t reach safety is very confusing to me.

111.3 MPH, 433 feet yikes

Suarez continues to be a life long Cubs killer

Boyd getting rocked so far

that is a terrible call by New York. There was clearly air between the foot and base when the ball was in Busch's glove

Don't see a game thread for today, but as of 7/12, here is where the Cubs stand in relation to playoff spots and seeding: Seeding: 1 Seed - 7.5 GB Dodgers Bye - 6.0 GB Brewers Div - 6.0 GB Brewers WC1 - 0.5 GA Phillies WC2 - 1.5 GA Marlins Playoff Spot: 2.5 GA Cardinals 4.5 GA Pirates 5.0 GA Diamondbacks 5.5 GA Nationals 6.0 GA Padres

The Cubs team leader in saves this year is Jacob Webb with 4. He also leads the team in blown saves with 4. There are 10 different Cubs relievers with saves this year.