Ian Happ's game-tying solo home run (5)
Cubs 2025 Surge: Kyle Tucker Contract Rumors, Pitching Plans & Division Domination
Dive into the Chicago Cubs' electrifying 2025 season with ESPN's Jesse Rogers on Big League Buzz! From Kyle Tucker's superstar impact to Craig Counsell's game-changing strategies, we unpack why the Cubs are poised to dominate the NL Central. Will they go all-in at the trade deadline for Zach Gallen or Merrill Kelly? Can Pete Crow-Armstrong become a top-tier hitter? Plus, get the inside scoop on the Cubs' playoff potential and long-term plans. Don't miss this deep dive into Chicago's hottest MLB storylines! Subscribe, like, and comment—are you a believer in the Cubs' 2025 run?
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Newsweek
12 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Three Realistic Trade Targets for Chicago Cubs to Strike Before Window Closes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Chicago Cubs fans have the feeling that this season may turn into the 2016 season all over again. Chicago sits in first place in the NL Central, off to its best start since 2016, when the Cubs eventually won the World Series. Despite the outstanding start, Chicago still has a few holes in its roster that will need to be addressed at the trade deadline. Team president Jed Hoyer has hinted that the Cubs will be focused on pitching help at the trade deadline. If that is indeed the route Chicago's front office takes, here are three potential trade deadline targets. NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 7: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 7, 2025 in New York City.... NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 7: Aroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 7, 2025 in New York City. The Red Sox won 10-7 MoreAroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox Chapman was a member of the Cubs' 2016 World Series team and his addition to the backend of the bullpen would be more than welcome. At 37 years old, Chapman's 99.1 mph average fastball velocity ranks in the 98th percentile, making him still one of the game's best late-inning relievers. His 11 saves and 37 strikeouts across 27 1/3 innings pitched is eye-opening and he would give the Cubs a much-needed high velocity left-handed pitcher in the bullpen. Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves Sale is not a name that would've been thought of at the beginning of the season, but he has now become an intriguing option due to the struggles from the Atlanta Braves. After a shaky start to the season, Sale has bounced back and has a 2.79 ERA with 107 strikeouts across 80 2/3 innings pitched. According to Baseball Savant, Sale ranks in the 94th percentile in chase rate at 34.5% and the 92nd percentile in strikeout rate at 31.7%. Chicago's pitching staff has the seventh-fewest number of strikeouts, so the punchout ability and stuff that Sale has would be an excellent addition. Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins Prior to the season, Alcantara was expected to be one of the most highly coveted trade targets, but a horrendous first half of the season may have changed that. He is 2-7 with a 7.89 ERA and just 44 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. What many hoped to be a promising return from injury has very quickly gone sideways. A change of scenery could make all the difference in the world for Alcantara and going from an uncompetitive Marlins team to a World Series contending Cubs team could get him back on track and looking like the pitcher he was two seasons ago when he was awarded the NL Cy Young. More MLB: Preseason Projected World Series Contender in Serious Jeopardy of Missing Postseason
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Struggling $116 Million Pitcher Labeled 'Perfect Target' for Chicago Cubs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Chicago Cubs know as well as the rest of the league they'll be pursuing starting pitching at the trade deadline. At this point, the only uncertainty is how many starters Jed Hoyer will push for at the end of next month. Former general manager Jim Bowden believes Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks is the best choice for the Cubs. CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 08: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 08, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 08: Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 08, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio."The Cubs could use one more starting pitcher and Gallen would be the perfect target even though he's having a down year (4-8 with a 5.15 ERA)," wrote Bowden. "Two years ago, he was the starting pitcher for the NL All-Star team and finished third in the Cy Young Award voting. Last year, he went 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA." This season has been far from kind for Gallen, but there is still some optimism he can turn things around. His WHIP is right around where it has sat for most of his career, falling in the 1.1-1.3 range. However, he's giving up a lot of hard hits, and his strikeout rate is only in the 47th percentile, according to Baseball Savant. "Gallen would need to have three to four strong starts before the deadline for the Diamondbacks to get the strong prospect package they'd want, but if they fall further out of contention, they might have to trade the impending free agent," wrote Bowden. "He needs to improve the command and late finish on his fastball to get back to where he needs to be." If Chicago was to pursue Gallen, it would be paying rental price for him. The 29-year-old pitcher is set for free agency at the end of the season, so the Cubs would simply be on the hook for the remainder of his $13.5 million salary this season plus the package going back to Arizona. More MLB: Phillies' Answer to Bryce Harper's Injury Could Lie In Surging Infielder
NBC Sports
3 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Undrafted Otto Kemp gets 3 hits and sparks rally in 1st home game for Phillies
PHILADELPHIA — Otto Kemp wandered alone for about 20 minutes in his first trip to Citizens Bank Park — 'people were (like) what is this guy doing in this place?' — when he spotted Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto. Hours before Realmuto would score the winning run in an extra-innings comeback — a run set up in large part by Kemp's bunt single in the two-run rally — he found the rookie and showed him the way to the clubhouse. 'I kind of walked with him and let him take me,' Kemp said, laughing. 'Just trying to enjoy it. Get the lay of the land. Every clubhouse is different. Enjoy the day. Enjoy the moment.' Kemp's improbable rise from undrafted Division II prospect out of Point Loma Nazarene University in California to signing a free-agent minor league deal with the Phillies in 2022 through four minor league stops finally brought him for the first time to Citizens Bank Park. Not as a fan such as reliever Orion Kerkering, who had to scrounge for upper deck tickets as a prospect to watch the 2022 World Series. Or even former Phillies pitcher Tyler Phillips, who practically grew up at the ballpark as a diehard fan of the team. Kemp saved his first trip to the ballpark for when he finally made the major leagues. 'I just tried to keep it special,' he said. 'I just tried to keep it something that I get to do on the first day I get to the big leagues. It was kind of just a little bit of motivation to keep me pushing and get to this point.' The 25-year-old Kemp's push took him first to Pittsburgh when he was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley with slugger Bryce Harper on the injured list. Kemp made his third straight start, this one against the Chicago Cubs, and he finished 3 for 5 with an error, his first career hit and run scored. Kemp said he hadn't bunted since he played collegiate summer baseball for the St. Cloud Rox in 2021. 'I popped it up straight to the catcher,' he said with a laugh. The seemingly lost art in baseball came right back to Kemp. It certainly helped that he told the Phillies coaching staff that, yes, he could in fact bunt. Realmuto made it 3-all when he drove in the automatic runner with a single off Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia. The Phillies then got two straight bunt singles, the first from Bryson Stott — a late-inning replacement after he was benched amid a 2-for-24 slump —and then from Kemp, who had the third of his first three big league hits in the game to set up the clutch swing from Brandon Marsh. Marsh — batting just .228 on the season — delivered a 381-foot single to center that scored Realmuto for the 4-3 victory and snapped the Phillies' five game losing streak. Marsh, a fan favorite with his stringy hair and ZZ Top-esque beard, said it was the first walk-off winner of his career at any level of baseball. Kemp singled in the fifth for his first hit — he said he would frame the baseball — and scurried to third on Cubs starter Matthew Boyd's errant pickoff attempt. Kemp scored on Weston Wilson's RBI single for a 2-1 lead. Kemp's surprise call-up at around 11 p.m. in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Iron Pigs played, turned into a whirlwind trip for him and his family and friends. Kemp had an early morning flight to Pittsburgh while his wife and dog drove from North Carolina and his parents scrambled to find a red eye from California and made it to the game just in time. Kemp had his wife, his dad, three friends and his Point Loma college baseball coach Justin James and his family and friends at the game for the home debut. 'It's cool to execute that bunt and get it down and thank him for raising me in a West Coast baseball program,' Kemp said. 'He's stoked. He's just so fired up. Just to see me in that moment and out on that field, it's cool for him to see one of his products and how he helped me get to this point.' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Kemp could play first base and even the outfield the longer he stays in the majors. Kemp played all over the field this season at Triple-A, with 33 starts at third base, 17 combined starts at second and first base and seven starts in the outfield. It was all enough to impress Thomson and the Phillies' front office. 'He's looked comfortable. He's got great composure,' Thomson said. 'I really like the way he goes about his business.' Kemp, a non-roster invitee to spring training this season, was slashing .313/.416/.594 with a 1.010 OPS, 49 runs, 14 home runs and 55 RBIs in 58 games for the Iron Pigs. Going from unwanted in the draft to undeniable on the way to the majors came into focus over the last two seasons. 'Double-A was when it really clicked,' Kemp said. 'Like this is when it can become a real possibility.' As his new Phillies teammates bathed him in sports drinks and water to celebrate his three hits and the win, he soaked in the moment and how that possibility had indeed turned into a reality. 'I'll have that Gatorade bath any day,' he said.
