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Chicago Cubs News: Padres avoid sweep; Assessing the NL Central
The Chicago Cubs couldn’t complete the sweep of the San Diego Padres as they dropped the finale 3-2 on Wednesday. With the NL Central in the state it’s in, the Cubs are still in the thick of it.
The Chicago Cubs could hold the two-run lead as the Padres scored three–once in the fifth, sixth and eighth–to top the Cubs and avoid the sweep. Ian Happ hit a two-run blast, but that was one of just two Cubs hits on the afternoon. Eddie Butler kept things close but could only go four-plus innings, once again putting the early pressure on the bullpen. The Cubs will head to Miami to open a four-game series with the Marlins on Thursday.
Not many could have expected the Cubs to be in second place at this point in the season. Fewer would have picked the Brewers to be the team ahead of them. Even with the Cubs struggles they’re still in the race. We take an early look at how the race is shaping up, and who might still be in it down the stretch. Will the Brewers be able to maintain this level? Can the Cardinals rebound? Will the Cubs eventually win the division? We try to answer all of these as we assess the Central.
Chris Archer. It’s that time of year that his name rises up to the top of the trade rumors. And it seems that every year the Cubs are always one of the first teams mentioned in any of those rumors. Every season it seems that the rumor is alway one or two of the Cubs top prospects for Archer. But we’re here to tell you that Archer isn’t worth that, regardless how bad the Cubs need pitching.
These and other stories you might have missed:
‘Cubs fail to sweep Padres in 3-2 loss’ – Cubbies Crib
‘Assessing the state of the NL Central’ – Cubbies Crib
‘A top prospect for Archer? Think again‘ – Cubbies Crib
‘Chapman fires the fastest pitch of 2017’ – MLB.com
‘Scherzer loses no-hitter in 8th, then game’ – ESPN
#Cubs on Twitter
Elias says #Cubs Rizzo is only player in the last 60 yrs to reach in his 1st plate appearance in each of his 1st 7 career Gs batting leadoff
— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) June 21, 2017
#Cubs are searching for pitching on trade market ... and perhaps a lead-off man too? https://t.co/gu2KkEZHPw via @MLBBruceLevine pic.twitter.com/EjaB4EHu6V
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) June 22, 2017
#Cubs catcher Miguel Montero sounds off on the home plate collision rule https://t.co/YKOw1as4OK via @CEmma670 pic.twitter.com/Oa0f5aBRui
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) June 22, 2017
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