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Cubs’ “Different Dynamic” Makes Uneven Path: Still Time to Find Themselves

The pattern has grown beyond tedious. Flashes of brilliance tantalize, the curious cloud begins to lift, and then…it doesn’t. When Joe Maddon promised a new path for 2017, full of potential hazards, the inevitability rang true. Yet the actual difference a championship could make has caught everyone off guard. Through nearly half a season, the […]

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Face of the Philosophy: Schwarber’s (Not So) Hidden Strength

Kyle Schwarber led off the final inning of 2016 with an outlandish degree of confidence. He reportedly strode to the batter’s box, nonchalantly reassuring Mike Borzello, “Borzy, I’ve got this. Don’t worry. I’m locked in.” Naturally, he was right. It’s a special twenty-three-year-old who can bring that kind of self-assurance – and deliver – in […]

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More C.U.B. Than Ever: Recipe for a Repeat

“I hope this is the beginning…if we do our jobs right and we stay humble and hungry, it’s going to be a beginning.” – Theo Epstein Humility has not traditionally been a concern on the north side. So when the leadership is casually throwing it around in the offseason, the stubbornly buoyant truth can finally […]

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Second City October: The Beauty of Belief, And Those Who’d Take It Away

Javier Baez, Most Valuable Player of the 2016 NLCS, has fourteen postseason hits for seven RBIs through Game One of the World Series. That’s better than Kris Bryant. It’s better than every other Cub. And it says nothing of his dazzling defense. Willson Contreras has knocked a cool .409 in his October attempts, which is […]

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Game 142 Recap: CUBS 9 ASTROS 5

Even during Maddon’s September rest rotation for everyday position players, after a three game stretch with the offense held at bay, something had to give. Tonight, the floodgates opened once again. Though irksome command issues surfaced toward the end of Arrieta’s outing, he took care of business with a four-hit, three-run performance and (backed by […]