Brandon Glick

Nice job, Colin. No 20-0 perfect game. You've ruined July 4.

July 4th versus the Cardinals??? I am going to have to hold my tongue for the entire day...

Scott Feldman is a 13-year MLB veteran who played for six teams in his career, including half of the 2013 season with the Chicago Cubs. He was involved in one of the most important trades in franchise history. Originally drafted in the 41st round by the Houston Astros in 2002, the Texas Rangers took Feldman in Round 30 in 2003, securing the commitment of the College of San Mateo product and converting him into a reliever. After a Tommy John surgery and up-and-down minor league career, the Rangers converted him back into a starter in 2008, and he became a mainstay in their rotation from 2008-12, including drawing the Opening Day nod in 2010. After a strong postseason performance in 2011 as the Rangers made their second-straight run to the World Series, Feldman dealt with injuries and had his team option declined prior to the 2013 season. That's when the Cubs swooped in, signing Feldman to a one-year, $6 million deal in free agency. He was the team's No. 4 starter for the first half of the 2013 campaign, pitching to a 3.46 ERA in 15 starts (91 innings) heading into July. His presence on a young team was valuable, especially in a good-not-great rotation that featured Jeff Samardzija, Matt Garza, Edwin Jackson, and Travis Wood. However, the struggling 49-59 Cubs were never expected to compete, and Feldman was one of the best rental starters on the market. Thus, on July 2, 2013, the front office pulled the trigger on a history-altering trade, sending Feldman and backup catcher Steve Clevenger to the Baltimore Orioles, in exchange for pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop. The trade reunited Feldman with his first manager, Buck Showalter, though the Orioles would ultimately miss the playoffs with an 85-77 record, despite a strong second-half effort from the big righty (4.27 ERA in 15 starts). Of course, the deal worked out a tad better for Chicago, as Arrieta and Strop became Cubs icons who played massive roles in the team's 2016 World Series championship. After the season, Feldman signed in free agency with the Houston Astros, becoming their 2014 Opening Day starter. He had a good tenure in Houston, pitching to a 3.64 ERA in 73 appearances (52 starts) before getting moved back to the bullpen in 2016 and getting traded to the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline. He then signed with the Reds in free agency and was subsequently named their Opening Day starter for the 2017 season. He became the 52nd pitcher in MLB history to start on Opening Day for at least three different teams. He retired after the campaign, and now, according to his LinkedIn profile, he is an entrepreneur and investor. View full player

Final 10 games before the All-Star break: Today v. Guardians 3 home games v. Cardinals 3 road games v. Twins 3 road games v. Yankees

Over at our cousin site, Fish on First, managing editor Ely Sussman put together a list of players the Marlins might deal at the deadline. Is there anyone you want the Cubs to pursue? Which players Marlins are most likely to sell at trade deadline - Marlins - Fish On First FISHONFIRST.COM Unlike last summer, the Marlins won't be tearing apart their entire roster to load up on prospects, but there are still opportunities for them to cash in on redundant players and sell...

Fun fact: the only Guardians player with a home run off Shota is... Steven Kwan.

Héctor Rondón is a former MLB relief pitcher who spent eight years in MLB, including parts of five seasons with the Chicago Cubs. Originally signed as an international free agent by the Cleveland Guardians in 2004, Rondón had a long, winding minor league career where he failed to get over the Triple-A hump. He had Tommy John surgery in 2010 and fractured the same elbow in Winter League ball in 2011. That all but signaled the end of his time in Cleveland, as the Guardians left him off their 40-man roster heading into the 2012 offseason, where the Cubs snatched the starter-turned-reliever with the seventh pick the Rule 5 Draft. Naturally, Rondón made the team out of camp, making his MLB debut with the Cubs on April 3, 2013. He had an up-and-down rookie campaign, firing off a 4.77 ERA that was backed up by a 4.40 FIP and 18.2% strikeout rate. It was in 2014 where his breakout truly occurred, as the right-handed reliever usurped José Veras for the team's closer gig, amassing a 2.42 ERA and 29 saves in 64 appearances. He went into the 2015 as the team's surefire closer, delivered an ever better season for a 97-win team — 1.67 ERA, 30 saves, 69 strikeouts in 70.0 innings — and slammed the door on the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS with one of the most iconic strikeouts in Cubs history. He secured 18 more saves for the Cubs in the first half of 2016, though he slid into the primary set-up role when Chicago acquired Aroldis Chapman at the trade deadline. He was instrumental to the team's championship run, serving as one of few relievers in Joe Maddon's "circle of trust" while authoring a 4.50 ERA in six playoff innings. Rondón maintained his job as the set-up man in 2017, as the Cubs deployed Wade Davis as their primary closer. Following that campaign, the Cubs elected to non-tender Rondón, surprisingly letting go of one of the most successful Cubs relievers in recent memory. Following his release, Rondón signed a two-year contract with the Houston Astros, recording 15 saves and pitching to a 3.46 ERA while making another World Series appearance in 2019. After his stint in Houston, Rondón spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and attempted to make a MLB comeback in 2021 with the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox. He ultimately retired from pro baseball in April 2021. View full player

Matthew Boyd faces his former team for the first time since departing Cleveland. Revenge game incoming?

As rookie third baseman Matt Shaw tries to bust out of his deep slump, the Cubs need to look elsewhere for hot corner options. Who should they pursue on the trade market? View full video

Over at our sister site, Talk Sox, one of our featured writers put together a list of trade targets for some trade deadline buyers to peruse. Any players here you want the Cubs to pursue? If the Red Sox Become Sellers, Expect These Players to Be Discussed in Trade Talks - Red Sox - Talk Sox TALKSOX.COM The Red Sox are hovering around .500 and somehow still within striking distance of a postseason position. Should that change before the end of July, they have enough talent on the big...

Can the Cubs get win No. 50 on the year?

The Cubs' ace has returned from injury, though they had to demote one of their most exciting arms to make room for him. View full video

Fun fact: this is the first time in his career that Colin Rea is facing the Astros outside of May. Do with that very valuable information what you will.

Two 48-33 teams, both first place in their division. Good litmus test for where the Cubs are at.

S H O T A. I guess you could say today is the the third Lord of the Rings movie, because the King has returned.

Hey, so I really need the Cubs not to lose this series to the Cardinals. Just for the sake of the ol' mental health. Matthew Boyd, go do your thing.

Literally only the Cardinals would have a pitcher named "Mike McGreevy" who has a 4.00 ERA in the minors and then suddenly comes up and has a 2.27 ERA in the big leagues. The Cubs better knock this guy back to Triple-A.

Beat the damn Cardinals.

Let's try this again, shall we?

The Brewers' fireballing rookie is here. Let's give him a rude introduction.

I'd love to see Ben Brown continue working his changeup into his game plan today. Could be the difference between him being a No. 3 starter and a reliever.