Billy Donovan has been one of the names who have been linked to the North Carolina Tar Heels coaching job. With the Chicago Bulls being in a position where they may decide to hit the reset button, there is a chance these are the final games of the Donovan tenure. One college basketball analyst believes this is the final hour for a decision to be made on both sides. Let’s take a look at what has been said to understand where things stand for UNC and Donovan right now.

Billy Donovan to North Carolina rumors heat up ahead of the national championship game

College basketball analyst Jeff Goodman appeared on ‘The Field of 68’ podcast and gave an update on the Donovan to North Carolina rumors.

“North Carolina is now solely focusing its efforts on Billy Donovan. They’re going to go hard after him, per sources. They expect to know more in the next 24 hours.”

Donovan is one of the top college basketball coaches, winning back-to-back national championships with the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times had an article come out during the weekend, highlighting how Donovan could be out as the Bulls coach. If that were to happen, this could give a lot of smoke to the North Carolina rumors. The Tar Heels have also been rumored to be involved with Arizona Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd; however, he signed an extension with the program last week.

For Chicago, they could see a massive change in the front office this offseason to change things up. If that were to happen, Donovan could also be retained to head the program, but it seems like things may go down to how the Bulls play in the final handful of games. Last offseason, it was announced that Donovan signed a multiyear extension, so he is under contract with Chicago following this year. It will be intriguing to see if the Bulls are able to keep Donovan for next season.

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The Chicago Bears have some interesting routes they can go in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. While there are a handful of players most mock drafts have them taking with the 25th pick, it all depends on how the first 24 picks go. There are some holes still on the roster, and with less than $250,000 in available cap space, the team needs to use the draft to fill them. Let’s take a closer look at one outlet’s mock draft and discuss who they could wind up selecting.

The Chicago Bears select offensive tackle Blake Miller in CBS Sports’ latest mock draft

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco wrote a one-round mock draft and had Chicago going a different direction than most mock drafts. With the 25th pick, the Bears select Clemson Tigers offensive tackle Blake Miller. Chicago selecting an offensive tackle with players like Kayden McDonald and Dillon Thieneman still available is a bit of a surprise, but this does address one area of need.

Miller was the 25th player in Clemson’s program history to earn at least three career All-ACC selections. He was also a team captain and holds the record for the most career snaps from scrimmage throughout his four-year career. Being an ironman on the offensive line is significant and would certainly help the Bears’ future offensive line. Miller is a strong right tackle and with Ozzy Trapilo projected to be the long-term left tackle, this is a chance for the Bears to solidify both tackle positions.

The Bears have four picks in the first 90 selections, so they can move around the board if they want to add another top-tier player. It will be intriguing to see what general manager Ryan Poles and his staff decide to do with the 25th pick.

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The Indiana Fever acquired veteran guard Sophie Cunningham in February 2025 in a high-profile trade with the Phoenix Mercury. The 29-year-old quickly emerged as a team leader and top performer.

Cunningham became known as the team’s enforcer, consistently protecting her young teammates while also contributing across the board.

In her debut season with Indiana, she recorded a career-best 46.9% from the field and 43.2% from three-point range. She averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.

However, her campaign was derailed after she suffered a right MCL tear in August. Cunningham played only 30 games, including 13 starts, before the injury ended her season.

The Missouri native became an unrestricted free agent after her one-year contract expired following the 2025 season. Both Cunningham and the Fever have shown interest in a contract extension. However, league rules prevent deals until the negotiation and signing window opens.

Fever can begin Sophie Cunningham talks as WNBA sets free agency dates

On Sunday night, the 6-foot-1 guard and team officials received important news. According to ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou, the WNBA has finalized its free agency calendar.

Based on the set dates, negotiations run from Wednesday through Friday. Players can also officially sign new contracts starting Saturday. This means the Fever can formally begin discussions with Cunningham on Wednesday.

If talks go smoothly, the Fever could potentially make their big announcement on Cunningham’s return as early as Saturday.

Cunningham, who earned $100,000 last season, is expected to pursue a more lucrative deal. She has said she wants to maximize her paycheck in her next contract. The new collective bargaining agreement is also set to increase player compensation and reshape contract negotiations across the league.

The Fever must balance Cunningham’s request with other free agents. Star guard Kelsey Mitchell and defensive specialist Lexie Hull also need new deals this week.

These three players are vital for Indiana’s success alongside stars Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. By retaining them, the Fever will enter 2026 with a competitive roster capable of contending for a championship.

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The Chicago Cubs have been tested with their pitching depth, but the concerns have been realized. After seeing young star starting pitcher Cade Horton leave with an injury, there has been an update about his injury. Look away Cubs fans, as the fears have been realized. Let’s take a look at what the injury is and what it means for him and the Cubs moving forward.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton will undergo UCL surgery

The sports doctors on social media were correct, as Horton’s elbow injury was what people expected. Cubs manager Craig Counsell spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday’s game and confirmed Horton will undergo surgery on his UCL. This is a major blow to the Cubs’ rotation, which is already dealing with Matthew Boyd on the Injured List. Their depth will be tested as they also wait for Justin Steele to return from his injury last season.

Horton was expected to be a major piece for Chicago’s starting rotation for the 2026 season and beyond. It will be interesting to see if either Javier Assad or Colin Rea remains in the rotation for the rest of the year.  The 24-year-old righty finishes his season going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP in 7.1 innings. Chicago has already used four prospects to acquire Edward Cabrera during the offseason, so it will be intriguing to see what general manager Jed Hoyer and the front office decide to do. With the franchise positioned to be in a window to be a serious contender, this is a massive blow to their chances of being in the World Series.

Chicago still has some talent who can help lessen the blow from this injury. However, Horton was expected to be a top-of-the-rotation arm taking the ball every fifth day.

The post Cade Horton officially will miss remainder of 2026 season with elbow injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bulls picked a direction on Monday afternoon when they fired vice president Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. After years of being in the play-in round and not improving, the Bulls had to make the decision to move on. And it was the right one.

It also showed their faith in head coach Billy Donovan.

Despite rumored interest with North Carolina, Donovan wanted to wait until the season was over to make a decision on that job. North Carolina went a different direction and hired Michael Malone. A few minutes later, the Bulls fired Karnisovas and Eversley to pick their direction. It showed just how much faith they have in Donovan and on Tuesday, Michael Reinsdorf reiterated that during a press conference.

Billy Donovan will play role in Chicago Bulls general manager search

There’s going to be a decision to make for Billy Donovan by the end of next week. Does he want to stay in Chicago and continue on coaching the Bulls? Or is he going to leave and try to take a new job?

But during Reinsdorf’s presser on Tuesday, it feels like the Bulls are operating with the notion that Donovan will be back. Not only did he mention it should be a ‘quick’ decision for Donovan but he also told the media that the head coach will be a BIG factor in the general manager search.

“If we’re interviewing someone and they’re not sold on Billy and a Hall of Fame coach and person who has won championships in college and gone deep in playoffs in OKC and, given teams he was given, achieved good results in Chicago, then they’re not right candidate for us.”

Michael Reinsdorf on the future of the Front Office as it relates to Billy Donovan:

“If we're interviewing someone and they're not sold on Billy and a Hall of Fame coach and person who has won championships in college and gone deep in playoffs in OKC and, given teams he was… pic.twitter.com/WY39cVHKpY

— SleeperBulls (@SleeperChicago) April 7, 2026

Wow. That really sounds like they believe Donovan will stay and a big reason why is the decision they made with Karnisovas and Eversley.

Of course, Donovan could change his mind. But it would be a big change for the Bulls’ process in this general manager search.

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The Chicago Cubs find themselves in a really tough spot, less than two weeks into the 2026 season.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Justin Steele throws off Wrigley mound as Horton awaits imaging on forearm

On April 5, 24-year-old emerging ace Cade Horton was placed on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. One day later, on April 6, Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd was also placed on the 15-day IL, suffering from a left biceps strain.

The news regarding Horton has not been positive at all. While he’s on his way to a second opinion regarding a troubling MRI, some believe that all roads lead to Tommy John surgery—his second since he was a college freshman in 2021.

From bad news to worse news

More News: Chicago Cubs: Miguel Amaya is killing it right now as 2027 Cubs catching decision looms

Jesse Morse M.D., a board-certified sports & family medicine physician with a specialty in sports injuries, is one of those who feels that Horton’s injury is a worst case scenario:

“Cubs ace Cade Horton likely done for the season with an elbow injury. This is likely an injury to the UCL, whether it is a partial or full thickness tear.”

Dr. Morse indicates that the only question about Horton’s injury right now appears to be whether the young pitcher will need an internal brace procedure or full Tommy John surgery.

The news regarding Boyd, meanwhile, is not as dire. However, there are some serious questions regarding whether the veteran lefty’s 15-day timetable for return is way too optimistic.

The Cubs losing their two top pitchers—Horton for the season and Boyd for possibly more than a month—should force Cubs president Jed Hoyer and the front office into an immediate emergency Plan B.

An emergency Plan B?

And that contingency plan could bring back a rumored Cubs trade target from the not-so-distant past—Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins.

The 30-year-old Alcantara, who was coming back from 2024 Tommy John surgery last year, had been tied to the Cubs’ pursuit of frontline starters since last offseason and through the 2025 trade deadline. Ultimately, Chicago did pull the trigger on a trade for a Marlins pitcher, opting to acquire Edward Cabrera this past offseason in a deal that included the Cubs’ top prospect Owen Caissie.

At this point, however, the Cubs may have no choice but to come back to the Marlins to inquire about Alcantara, who has a $21 million 2027 club option possibly keeping him under team control for the rest of this season and all of next.

If Horton is, indeed, done for the year, a low-end rotation pickup like Lucas Giolito will not be enough. Alcantara has legit ace stuff and has looked overpowering so far this year, posting 16 scoreless innings over two starts, with 12 strikeouts. While last year’s overall numbers were rough (11-12, 5.36 ERA), his post-All-Star break tally (7-3, 3.33 ERA) told the tale of an elite pitcher who was truly coming around after a lost 2024 season.

Getting Alcantara will be costly. The Marlins will take full advantage of the Cubs’ desperation and charge them accordingly. A deal could likely include top first base prospect Jonathon Long, middle infield prospect Jefferson Rojas, and/or infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw, as well as other high end minor league talent.

The Cubs, though, may have no choice but to make this kind of trade happen if they’re serious about making a deep playoff run this season.

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Despite having only played professionally for two years, Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark is already regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of women’s basketball.

Clark made all sorts of history even before turning pro. The 6-foot guard cemented her legacy as an all-time great during his four-year stint with the Iowa Hawkeyes. This includes setting the all-time scoring record in NCAA Division I history, for both men’s and women’s basketball.

Clark made an immediate impact in the WNBA, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. Her second second, however, was marred by injuries. Clark was limited to just 13 games in 2025, and she is now eager to make amends.

Clark shone the spotlight on someone else on Monday, though. The two-time All-Star came across an NBA post featuring a prominent member of the Indiana Pacers organization. The post highlighted the role of Pacers athletic trainer Ayami Sato for the organization.

The NBA has featured coaches and team staff across the league throughout the offseason. On Monday, it was Indiana’s unsung hero’s turn to take center stage.

 

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The Pacers and the Fever are owned by the Simon family and operate under the same company. Clark has had the opportunity to work with Sato throughout the former’s time with the Fever. Clark made her opinion of the trainer extremely clear using just one word.

“GOAT,” Clark commented.

Clark has encountered and worked with many people throughout her career as a professional basketball player. She has also had the opportunity to play with and against some of the best players the sport has produced. Nevertheless, she did not hesitate to name Sato as her GOAT.

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The Chicago Cubs pitching rotation is in bad shape to start the season amid a 4-6 start, and a sports doctor revealed a rather horrific update for Cade Horton.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Brilliant Cabrera loses no-hitter to Conforto flub

After making the postseason last year, Chicago finds itself at the bottom of the National League Central.

On Friday, the Cubs had to pull Horton for right forearm discomfort after throwing 17 pitches against the Cleveland Guardians.

Per David Kaplan of ESPN 1000, Horton’s MRI was “not clean” and “not good.” Horton is set to visit Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Tuesday to further examine the injury.

Chicago Cubs: Cade Horton likely out for season

Dr. Jesse Morse, a well-known sports doctor who comments on injuries for professional athletes, seems to believe Horton has an injury to the UCL. There is a possibility Horton needs full Tommy John surgery, and the pitcher is not expected to return this season.

“Cubs ace Cade Horton likely done for the season with an elbow injury,” Morse posted on X. “This is likely an injury to the UCL, whether it is a partial or full thickness tear.

“Dr. Meister is one of the top elbow specialists in the country and the question will come down to if he should have internal brace procedure or if he needs full Tommy John surgery.”

Cubs ace Cade Horton likely done for the season with an elbow injury.

This is likely an injury to the UCL, whether it is a partial or full thickness tear.

Dr. Meister is one of the top elbow specialists in the country and the question will come down to if he should have… https://t.co/BdzLW053i1

— Jesse Morse, M.D. (@DrJesseMorse) April 7, 2026

Horton, 24, gave up two runs on four hits in 6.1 innings pitched in his first start of the season against the Washington Nationals on March 28.

The injury to the right-handed pitcher is another obstacle for a Cubs team that is underperforming to begin the campaign.

Losing Horton for the season is certainly not ideal for the Cubs, but the injury is troubling for a young pitcher entering his second season in the majors.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs have been getting slammed with bad news these last few days. On Monday, it was announced that de facto ace Matthew Boyd was being placed on the 15-day IL with a left biceps strain.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Miguel Amaya is killing it right now as 2027 Cubs catching decision looms

That news came just a day after the team placed young future ace Cade Horton on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain.

The back-to-back blows effectively remove the Cubs’ top two starters from the rotation and potentially send the team into panic mode, less than two weeks into a 2026 season where a championship run was fully expected.

To make matters worse, the 24-year-old Horton’s MRI didn’t “come back clean” and there will now be a second medical opinion pursued before the pitcher and the team consider their options. There is currently a strong possibility that Horton may be headed towards his second Tommy John surgery. In 2021, the right-hander had the medical procedure done while in his freshman year at the University of Oklahoma.

Concern about Matthew Boyd’s return?

More News: Chicago Cubs: Brilliant Cabrera loses no-hitter to Conforto flub

And now some believe that Boyd’s injury is possibly not as minimal as the pitcher and Cubs manager Craig Counsell have initially let on.

Matt Cozzi from the Locked on Cubs podcast recently conducted his own research and came to the conclusion that there’s some legit cause for concern when it comes to Boyd’s timetable for return.

Per Cozzi:

“Before Monday’s game against the Rays, Boyd did say he hasn’t felt any pain, but also hasn’t bounced back like he normally would after his first two starts…Both Boyd and manager Craig Counsell expressed their optimism, with Counsell even going as far to say he expected a minimal stint on the IL.

Now, why would you say that? Why would you say that?

They don’t know that. And I looked up some bicep strains by pitchers…They have typically forced starting pitchers to miss one month or more. Matthew Boyd is going to be different? Matthew Boyd, who has a long injury history?”

The desperation may be palpable in Cozzi’s tone, but his concern is warranted.

Uncertainty ahead

The 35-year-old Boyd has been devastated by injury for much of the last six years, delivering his first injury-free season in awhile last year. Boyd’s 179.2 innings pitched in 2025 was the first time he had posted more than 100 innings in a season since 2019. Boyd, by the way, is also coming off Tommy John surgery in 2023, although this current biceps issue has not been linked to that procedure.

Whatever the case, there’s real trouble ahead if Boyd, who was the team’s most consistently dependable starter last season, is forced on the shelf for an extended period of time, especially if Horton is lost for the year.

A Cubs rotation that seemed to be overflowing with depth as recently as a week ago, is already under dire strain. The current rotation of Edward Cabrera, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon, Colin Rea, and the recently recalled Javier Assad is not a championship-caliber 5-man crew and there doesn’t seem to be any backup until Justin Steele returns from his own elbow surgery at some point before mid-season.

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The Chicago Cubs figured to be pretty set when it came to position players this season. With only the injury to right fielder Seiya Suzuki mucking things up, the team was extremely secure in all eight of its non-pitcher starting spots.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Brilliant Cabrera loses no-hitter to Conforto flub

The team felt especially secure with their catching.

Last season, early quick starts from co-starters Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya, plus fill-in pop from Reese McGuire, helped give the Cubs one of the better catching crews in baseball. Even factoring in Amaya’s season-dampening injuries and Kelly’s mid-season fade, Chicago’s catchers still finished the year with 30 combined home runs, 99 RBIs, along with very solid work behind the plate.

This year, McGuire is gone, but Kelly remains, as does a healthy and energized Amaya.

Miguel Amaya on fire

More News: Chicago Cubs: Justin Steele throws off Wrigley mound as Horton awaits imaging on forearm

So far, the 27-year-old Amaya has been killing it on offense and showcasing some quality leadership at his position.

On Sunday, he drove in the winning run in the Cubs 1-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians in the first game of a double header at Progressive Field. On the year, he’s now hitting .417 in five games with 1 home run and 4 RBIs.

Some experts had been predicting a breakout year from Amaya since spring training, contingent upon the young asset staying healthy.

Amaya, who came through the Cubs’ system as its premier catching prospect, seemed on the verge of a breakout in late 2024. Injuries early into the 2025 season, however, killed his progress. Amaya finished the season with only 28 games played, but he looked like the real deal in all of them.

All-Star bound?

Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic declared during spring training that Amaya could work his way to an All-Star assignment if he managed to stay healthy:

“Many are overlooking Amaya after an injury-plagued 2025, along with Carson Kelly putting up a career year. He’ll continue to split time with Kelly, but Counsell won’t be afraid to lean on one or the other depending on who is playing best.

If Amaya can get off to a hot start with the bat — don’t expect a match of Kelly’s April last season — perhaps he’ll get some attention league-wide. The Cubs are expected to be one of the best teams in the NL, so if Amaya, who has appeared healthy and strong at the plate this spring, hits a hot stretch, the All-Star Game shouldn’t be a stretch.”

Staying healthy, however, is the big qualifier there. Amaya has a long history of injury dating back to his minor league days.

If he can stay on the field, though, he should prove his worth while also helping to keep Kelly fresh for later in the season. After this season, he’ll arguably play an even more important role for the team.

With the Cubs staring down a mutual option with Kelly for 2027, it’s very possible that Amaya could be the team’s only full-time starting catcher next season.

For now, though, the young backstop is focused on this season and on finally living up to his promise over the course of a full year. So far, so good.

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The women’s college basketball season ended earlier this week, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have found their way to be optimistic about the future. The team had a strong performance in the NCAA Tournament by making the Elite 8. However, the roster is going to look a bit different in the 2026-27 season. Where do they rank when looking at the very early 2026-27 rankings? Let’s take a look at what one outlet believes.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish crack ESPN’s way-too-early top 25 for the 2026-27 season

ESPN’s Charlie Creme wrote a way-too-early top 25 rankings for the 2026-27 women’s college basketball season. The Fighting Irish found its way on the list, ranking 21st on the list. Below is what Creme wrote about Notre Dame:

“So much of this ranking is based on the talent of Hannah Hidalgo. She proved in the NCAA tournament just how far she can carry a team. However, so much of that team will also be gone. Niele Ivey has some work to do to get similar talent around her two-way star. Her incoming recruiting class is promising, however — and if Cassandre Prosper elects to return, the Irish roster will be in better shape than it was last offseason.”

Notre Dame finished 25-11 (12-6 ACC), but they were fifth in the conference for the previous season. If Prosper decides to forego the WNBA Draft and return for one final season with Notre Dame, having her and Hannah Hidalgo lead the backcourt would be difficult to match up against. The team would be a premier program for players to go to the NCAA Transfer Portal as well. It will be interesting to see who will be on the roster for the team, and where they will rank when the season tips off months from now.

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Despite improving the defense during free agency, the Chicago Bears are still in need of making some improvements during the NFL Draft. The team has some draft capital in the first few rounds to play with and get some solid players. With the team having some needs on the defensive line, there are also some surprising needs that the front office could attempt to fill when they are on the clock. Let’s take a closer look at what one outlet believes the franchise could do to address a surprising need.

The Chicago Bears could address cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report wrote an article discussing a surprising need each team could address during the NFL Draft. For the Bears, Ballentine wrote they could address the cornerback position. Below is what he wrote about Chicago going that route:

“Any talk of the Bears using the draft to improve their secondary has typically involved the safety position. It’s cler they need to add a starter at the position and they could utilize their first-round pick on Emmanuel McNeil-Warren or Dillon Thieneman. The reality is that one of their second-round selections (they have the 57th and 60th picks) could be used on a cornerback as well. If the Bears are hesitant to hand that out then they might be looking to the draft to get ahead of the need. Chris Johnson closed out the first round of our latest mock, but Brandon Cisse is a physical corner who could wind up being available.”

The Bears could use some help at cornerback as Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson are the projected starting cornerbacks. The franchise could trade back into the first round and get a cornerback either late first round or early second round. It will be intriguing to see if the secondary continues to improve with some high draft capital for Chicago.

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The Chicago White Sox outfield took a hit on Monday when outfielder Austin Hays left the game versus the Baltimore Orioles with a right hamstring strain injury. The former All-Star outfielder was hitting .219 with a .586 OPS and a home run in nine games.

More News: Chicago White Sox received a poor ranking from ESPN on watchability

Due to Hays’s hamstring injury, the White Sox placed him on the 10-day injured list ahead of Game 2 versus the Orioles. To take Hays’ spot on the active roster, the White Sox selected the contract of outfielder Dustin Harris from Triple-A Charlotte.

In a corresponding move to add Harris to the 40-man roster, the White Sox also transferred right-hander Mike Vasil (Tommy John surgery) to the 60-day injured list.

pic.twitter.com/LxaOOapSQQ

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 7, 2026

Dustin Harris brings a quality bat and versatility to the Chicago White Sox

Harris, 26, has prior big league experience, appearing in 21 games for the Texas Rangers in 2024 and 2025 — Harris hit .217 with a .715 OPS and two home runs. Harris was drafted in the 11th round by the Oakland Athletics in 2019 out of St. Petersburg College, and is hitting .250 with a .608 OPS in eight games at Charlotte. 

However, the Tampa, Florida native has performed better at Triple-A, batting .285 with a .804 OPS and 11 home runs in 91 games. Harris also brings some versatility to the White Sox, playing all three outfield positions and first base.

Harris’s ability to play first base will help when slugger Munetaka Murakami is the designated hitter. Harris signed with the White Sox as a free agent in December 2025.

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The Chicago Cubs aren’t off to a good start here in 2026. After 10 games, the Cubs are 4-6 and in last place in the NL Central losing series to the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Guardians so far.

To make matters worse, Matthew Boyd and Cade Horton both suffered injuries and are on the IL. While Boyd is more precautionary, there’s not very good news with Horton. As soon as he threw a pitch in the second inning vs. the Guardians on Friday, he immediately looked in the dugout. The Cubs removed him and then announced he was going on the IL.

Now, a few days later, the news isn’t very good for Horton and the Cubs.

Cade Horton to see specialist in Texas

Horton underwent an MRI following his exit and for Cubs fans, it’s not good news. Jesse Rogers reported on ESPN 1000’s Kap and JHood Tuesday that the MRI was not clean and not good. He then went on to say that Horton will visit Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Tuesday for a further evaluation.

That’s not great news at all.

**Breaking News** Per @JesseRogersESPN on Kap and JHood on @Espn1000 Cubs star Cade Horton will visit Dr. Keith Meister in Texas today after his MRI was not clean and not good. Trending down a bad path.

— David Kaplan (@thekapman) April 7, 2026

The worry is that Horton will have to undergo Tommy John surgery which will certainly sideline him the rest of the season. Horton is coming off an injury he suffered last season that caused him to miss the final weeks of the season including the postseason.

Horton had Tommy John surgery in 2021 while in college. In his two starts this season, Horton pitched 7.1 innings with a 2.45 ERA. Chicago is also missing Justin Steele who should return at some point this season after undergoing reconstructive surgery last season.

The post Chicago Cubs’ starter is trending in wrong direction with injury per report appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Sky are going to look a lot different after trading away two-time All-Star Angel Reese on Monday. The team received a pair of future first-round picks from the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Reese and a second-round pick swap. With the Sky looking to move forward and build a young group of talent. One outlet gave out letter grades for the trade, so how did Chicago grade out? Let’s take a closer look at what the team received.

The Chicago Sky received a ‘B’ grade for the Angel Reese trade

ESPN’s Michael Voepel wrote an article where he graded each side of the Reese to Atlanta trade. For the Sky, Voepel gave the franchise a ‘B’ for the trade. Below is what he wrote to highlight that grade:

“This grade could go up a lot if the picks the Sky get turn out well — and it’s possible they could. There’s also the reality that the Sky likely felt there was no path going forward with Reese after how things went down last season…. Other moves from the Sky in the coming weeks might help mollify the fans — but a lack of them might get them even more upset. This grade could end up being too low if the eventual return on this deal is substantial — but if it’s not, the grade could be too high.”

Currently, the Dream now have three players under contract in Reese, forward Taylor Thierry, and guard Te-Hina Paopao. Reese did not sign a new contract with this trade, so Atlanta has a club option for the 2027 season before she becomes a restricted free agent in 2028.

Netting a pair of first-round draft picks, whether they are expected to be high or not, is great value for Reese. Atlanta has the 13th pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft to get a sense of where those picks may be. However, with the WNBA free agency class approaching this week, that can significantly change. It will be intriguing to see how those draft picks and Reese plays in Atlanta to see who actually won this trade.

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Sophie Cunningham is days away from what is going to be a major career decision involving the Indiana Fever.

Cunningham is currently an unrestricted free agent after her one-year deal came to an end. She had a memorable first season with the Fever following her offseason trade. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.7 steals in 25.2 minutes per contest.

Cunningham established herself as a key contributor on both ends, while also emerging as a veteran leader for the squad. Unfortunately, her season came to an end after she tore the MCL in her right knee in August.

Depending on how negotiations go, it is possible that Cunningham has already played his final game for the Fever.

Sophie Cunningham attends national championship game

Cunningham took some time away from the WNBA on Monday night. She headed to Lucal Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to attend the men’s national championship game between the Michigan Wolverines and the UConn Huskies.

Cunningham took to social media to share a quick video from inside the stadium. She watched the game with her long-time friend and podcast co-host, West Wilson. In her post, Cunningham referenced her alma mater, the University of Missouri. “go Mizzou?” she captioned her Instagram story.

Cunningham watched Elliot Cadeau (19 points, three rebounds) lead Michigan to a 69-63 win over UConn. This marked the Wolverines’ first national title since 1989.

Cunningham will soon turn her attention to her own basketball career. The WNBA has finalized the free-agency dates, with teams allowed to begin negotiating new deals with players on Wednesday. Players are then allowed to sign new contracts starting Saturday.

In a few days, Cunningham is expected to make a big announcement about her future in the WNBA.

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The Chicago Cubs are coming off a week where they had a bit of a downturn. With injuries and going 3-3 through their six games, the Cubs are looking to turn around a slow start to the 2026 season. The team needs to figure out how to survive injuries to the pitching staff and get some more wins. One outlet released its power rankings following the first full week of MLB action. Where do the Cubs rank on this list?

The Chicago Cubs fall to 13th in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report released his MLB power rankings on Monday afternoon. The Cubs saw a bit of a dip as they went from sixth place in the first power rankings to now being 13th. Below is what Retuer wrote regarding the team:

“The Cubs were dealt a blow when Cade Horton exited his second start with forearm discomfort, which can often be a precursor to Tommy John surgery. Swingman Colin Rea will bridge the gap for the time being, but Horton has legitimate ace-caliber upside and will be missed. That makes the 11.2 innings of scoreless ball that Edward Cabrera has twirled even more important.”

Luckily for the Cubs, this was released before it was announced that Matthew Boyd would also head to the 15-day Injured List. The Cubs were the final team on tier three. Below is the full list of tier three teams in order from their spot in the power rankings:

• Cincinnati Reds
• Houston Astros
• Miami Marlins
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Chicago Cubs

Chicago has a three-game road series against the Tampa Bay Rays before a day off on Thursday. They head back home for a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will be interesting to see with a banged-up starting pitching rotation if Chicago can get back into the tier two list.

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The Chicago Bears had an up-and-down season on the defensive end in 2025. They led the entire NFL in takeaways with 33. However, they ranked 29th overall in total yards allowed per game with 6,150.

Despite their defensive deficiencies, Chicago still had a memorable campaign. They secured the NFC North title with an 11-6 record. The Bears also secured their first playoff win in 15 years by defeating their bitter rivals, the Green Bay Packers, in the Wild Card Round.

Chicago will now want to carry over that momentum to 2026. Ryan Poles and the front office have been busy retooling their roster ahead of the new season. However, more moves could be on the horizon in the coming weeks.

The Bears have already made a handful of defensive free-agent signings during the offseason. Safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore are some of the standout additions.

Chicago Bears want Dexter Lawrence

Bears fans are now eyeing another potential recruit. Supporters are now urging the organization to jump on the Dexter Lawrence sweepstakes following his reported dispute with the New York Giants.

According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lawrence has demanded a trade away from the Giants after failing to negotiate a contract extension. Bears fans are adamant that Poles and Co. should not let this opportunity pass.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Bearsszn (@bearsszn)

“Restructure every contract, trade Grady, our first, and a 2nd and get it done,” a comment on Instagram said.

“PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN POLESHE IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED,” another said.

“RYAN POLES PICK UP THE PHONEEEEE,” demanded a user.

“Call them poles. You know what to do,” a reaction read.

“RYAN PLEASE,” said another.

“Grab him now !!!” a supporter wrote.

Lawrence is entering the third year of his four-year, $90 million contract with the Giants. The three-time Pro Bowler has established himself as one of the best DTs in the game today. This only means that the Bears will need to give up a lot in any potential trade with the Giants.

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Monday was hopefully a step in the right direction for the Chicago Bulls. With under a week to go in the regular season, the franchise announced they have fired both Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley, ushering in a new era for the franchise.

It was much needed as well.

Chicago will miss the playoffs again this season and is headed for another lottery pick as the rebuild continues. It was clear that the franchise was struggling under this leadership, missing out on draft picks and failing to land any big players in free agency. It’s a mess to put it simple. But now, this offseason gets interesting.

The Bulls will have to hire a new vice president as well as general manager. They may also have to hire a new coach depending on what they do with Billy Donovan. And already, the rumors are starting to swirl regarding potential general manager candidates.

Former players connected to Chicago Bulls general manager job

It’s very important that the Bulls get this next set of hires right. The last regime has set them back already and this won’t be an easy rebuild to complete. Chicago does have some resources to work with, however.

On Monday, hours after the news of the firings, the Bulls were connected to three candidates — Kyler Korver, Mike Dunleavy Jr., and Landry Fields. Here is what Kurt Helin of NBC Sports wrote on the candidates:

Former Bulls sharpshooter Kyle Korver, currently an assistant general manager with the Hawks, is one of the names league sources told NBC Sports is connected to the job. Other names that sources said were connected to the job early on include former Atlanta Hawks GM Landry Fields, current Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy (this may be more of a wish list play by the Bulls, it is highly unlikely Dunleavy leaves Golden State), current Minnesota GM Matt Lloyd (a Chicago native who worked for the Bulls for 13 years), and CAA agent Austin Brown (this would be following in the footsteps of the Lakers and Knicks, who hired former agents as GMs and had some success with them).

All three options, as well as Matt Lloyd would be intriguing candidates. Fields and Korver have helped turn around the Atlanta Hawks as they are headed to the playoffs this year.

Meanwhile, Dunleavy has been working in the Warriors’ organization since 2018 and took over as general manager. But that does feel like a long shot at this stage.

Whatever the Bulls do, they need to make sure they get this right.

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The Chicago White Sox have been playing well to begin the season, but may have hit a roadbump on Monday evening. In their game against the Baltimore Orioles, one of their players suffered an injury and had to leave the game. While details surrounding the injury are not as clear, let’s take a closer look at what we know right now regarding the injury.

Austin Hays leaves Monday’s game with a hamstring injury

The White Sox saw outfielder Austin Hays suffer an injury and had to leave Monday’s game. He was starting in left field for the team against the Baltimore Orioles and suffered the injury in the field. While running towards the foul line to make a play, Hays would pull up and limp to the baseball as it landed in fair territory. He would barely bend his right leg while walking off the field. Chicago would officially diagnose the injury as a right hamstring strain.

This is not a good time for the White Sox to suffer an outfield injury, as they do not have the depth right now after Everson Pereira was sent to the Injured List with a sprained ankle. If Hays were to also land on the Injured List, Jarred Kelenic or LaMonte Wade Jr being called up could be the corresponding move. Hays has struggled to begin the season as he is 6-for-31 with one home run and six RBI in the early stages of the season.

It will be intriguing to see what the official diagnosis is when the franchise does tests on Hays. It is quite possible he is going to be heading to the Injured List; it would likely mean multiple weeks before he returns to the team.

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Before Opening Day, the Chicago Cubs lost starting right fielder Seiya Suzuki to the injured list after he suffered a PCL sprain while diving into second base during the World Baseball Classic. Although Suzuki is expected to return on Friday, April 10, the team initially turned to a mix of Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto to handle the position.

Shaw, who is expected to see time at multiple defensive positions this season, has handled most of the opportunities, while Conforto, who originally signed a minor league deal over the offseason, was added to the 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day. That move left top prospect Kevin Alcantara in the minors, a decision that may already have the organization rethinking its approach.

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara is off to a hot start to the 2026 minor league season

Through eight Triple-A games, Alcantara has homered in half of his games played, an encouraging early power surge. His four home runs are a strong sign for a player projected to develop into a 20-homer bat over a full season, after consistently finishing in the 13–17 range across each of the past four minor league campaigns.

Beyond the power, Alcantara has drawn four walks, swiped two bases, and struck out nine times, which equates to a 26% strikeout rate. Those contributions would be a welcome boost for the Chicago Cubs, especially with Shaw and Conforto combining for just one extra-base hit and three walks across 31 at-bats.

If Alcantara keeps producing, he should be firmly in the call-up conversation, even with Suzuki nearing a return. With designated hitter Moises Ballesteros also off to a slow start, the Cubs may need to prioritize a hotter bat, potentially moving on from Conforto in favor of Alcantara’s higher upside.

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When the Detroit Lions released tackle Taylor Decker, it seemed like a no-brainer for him to join the Chicago Bears. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo came in and played decently after taking over the job during the season. However, he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon during the team’s wild-card playoff win against the Green Bay Packers in January. His career might not be the same even after he returns.

Decker looked like the perfect bridge option. A veteran with nearly a decade of starting experience, a strong pass‑protection resume, and familiarity with Ben Johnson’s system, he checked every box for a team trying to protect Caleb Williams at least in 2026. Though he remained unsigned, Johnson had also reached out to Decker recently, which raised hope that Decker was waiting for the right time to make his decision.

However, Justin Rogers from Detroit Football Network revealed he will likely not be signing with the Bears in his recent interview with Decker.

“I will tell you that he’s pretty anti-playing for the Bears or Packers. That’s the Lions background in him. I know Ben Johnson did it and that was the right situation for him, but Taylor feels kind of dirty about the idea. It just isn’t interesting to him. I could see him joining a team mid-season, the further he gets away from football and games being played, injuries happening and the right offer occurs. I could also see him not playing.”

It also explains why the Bears re-signed former starter Braxton Jones, who lost his starting job to Trapilo, and added former top 10 pick Jedrick Wills Jr., who did not play in 2025.

For many Bears fans, who were still hoping Decker would join the Bears, this interview puts the cold water. What once looked like a straightforward free‑agent fit for the Chicago Bears now carries a real possibility that Decker may not play again. His candid comments about not wanting to join Chicago already made it very clear. And if that’s how this story ends, kudos to Decker for being honest at least.

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Ben Johnson was a pull for wide receiver Kalif Raymond this offseason, but not all of the former offensive coordinator’s players want to reunite with the Chicago Bears head coach.

More News: Bears sign former NFC North rival’s 6-foot-4, 295-pound enforcer

Raymond told Dan Pompei of The Athletic that he chose to join the Bears to play for Johnson instead of re-signing with the Lions and Dan Campbell.

“I wanted to play in Ben’s offense,” Raymond told Pompei. “He’s extraordinarily creative, and honestly, you can be in any spot on the offense, and he will find a way to get you the ball. Just to be under him is a great privilege.”

The Lions lost left tackle Taylor Decker this offseason when he asked for a release. Detroit was going to make the veteran take a pay cut.

With the Bears needing a left tackle after Ozzy Trapilo suffered a torn patellar tendon against the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round, Decker appeared to be a target for Johnson.

However, it doesn’t appear Decker is keen on joining the Bears this offseason.

Taylor Decker doesn’t want to join Chicago Bears

More News: Bears predicted to make curious move to replace DJ Moore

Justin Rogers interviewed Decker on the Lions Collective podcast. Per Rogers, even though he didn’t like the way things ended in Detroit, he wants to be remembered as a Lion. Because of his loyalty to the Lions, he doesn’t want to sign with the Packers or Bears.

“I will tell you that he’s pretty anti-playing for the Bears or Packers,” Rogers said of Decker, via a transcription by Pro Football Talk. “That’s the Lions background in him. I know Ben Johnson did it and that was the right situation for him, but Taylor feels kind of dirty about the idea.

“It just isn’t interesting to him. I could see him joining a team mid-season, the further he gets away from football and games being played, injuries happening, and the right offer occurs. I could also see him not playing.”

Decker called Johnson a “sicko” for his use of trick plays during his time with the Lions. While he appreciated Johnson in Detroit, their relationship doesn’t seem strong enough for the Bears to land someone who would be a big help at left tackle this fall.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox got off to a slow start, losing three straight to the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite that rough start, the White Sox swept the reigning American League champions, the Toronto Blue Jays.

More News: Chicago White Sox announce roster move before Blue Jays game

Even though the White Sox did well against the Blue Jays, their overall “watchability” remains in question.

The Chicago White Sox rank 27th as one of the most fun MLB teams to watch

According to ESPN’s David Schoenfield, the White Sox are one of the least fun teams to watch in of all Major League Baseball. Teams were ranked based on: star power (15-point scale), young talent (10-point scale), baseball stuff (10-point scale), and receiving bonuses (five-point scale) for other things like cool uniforms.

The White Sox totaled 12 points, with young talent netting them the majority of their points (eight). Schoenfield gave the White Sox two points for “baseball stuff” as well as a bonus (two points). The bonus was for right-hander Grant Taylor’s fastball and shortstop Colson Montgomery’s 30+ home run potential.

The Chicago White Sox should rank a lot higher than 27

Ranking the White Sox at 27 is a low rating for a team that has the potential to make some noise in the American League. Brewers manager Pat Murphy said to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin after facing the White Sox “Mark my words right now: That Chicago White Sox team will be something to be reckoned with in that division.”

First baseman/designated hitter Munetaka Murakami has brought some energy to the White Sox lineup. Through his first three games, Murakami mashed three home runs, becoming the fourth player to do so. Murakami is the White Sox team leader in home runs. 

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The White Sox started off losing the series on the road against the Miami Marlins and then swept the Toronto Blue Jays at home. The team has looked solid and is ready for even more improvement.

Chicago is hoping to continue showcasing their young talent stepping up, so let’s see where one outlet has them listed in the power rankings.

The Chicago White Sox jump up nine spots in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote a power rankings following the first full week of MLB action. The White Sox went from the 30th spot to now being 21st after a 4-2 week.

Below is what they wrote regarding the White Sox’s rankings:

“Rebuilding is all about incremental progress. It took until July 20 for the White Sox to complete their first three-game sweep of the 2025 season, and they didn’t pick up their fourth win until their 14th game of the year, so Sunday marked two positive steps in the right direction.”

Chicago also climbs from the sixth tier to fifth. Below is the fifth tier of teams from Bleacher Report in the order Reuter placed them:

• Kansas City Royals
• Chicago White Sox
• Texas Rangers
• Athletics
• Colorado Rockies

Chicago has a three-game home series against the Baltimore Orioles and then a four-game road series against the Kansas City Royals this upcoming week. With the team building some momentum in the early stages of the season, they can continue climbing the rankings.

Chicago ranks fifth in the majors entering Monday’s games with a .837 team OPS with runners in scoring position. It will be intriguing to see if they can continue climbing the power rankings.

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The Chicago Sky are officially hitting the reset button this offseason as we get closer to next week’s 2026 WNBA Draft.

After trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream on Monday, they are ready to rebuild the team and try to improve with young talent. One outlet published its mock draft following the trade as well as the 2026 National Championship Game.

Let’s take a closer look at who they have Chicago selected and what it means for Chicago’s future.

The Chicago Sky select Kiki Rice in Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft

Bleacher Report’s Hunter Cruse wrote a 2026 WNBA mock draft following the national championship and Angel Reese trade. Cruse has the Sky selecting UCLA guard Kiki Rice with the sixth pick. Below is what was written about the pick:

“Angel Reese is no longer in Chicago after being dealt to Atlanta for two future first-round picks. At this point, it’s just best player available, and that’s Kiki Rice. Her game is built around her explosive, downhill driving style. Her low center of gravity allows her to quickly change directions and slip through tight spaces. She’s also a standout on-ball defender with the size, strength and coordination to defend both guard spots.

“Rice’s year-over-year improvements are staggering. This season, her half-court finishing jumped from 45.5% to 58.6%, pull-up mid-range from 37.9% to 43.1% and pull-up threes from 13.3% to 35.5%. Rice continues to answer every question scouts have, and that makes you wonder what her upside looks like if she continues on this developmental arc. She’s smart, athletic, defends and scores from everywhere. That’s someone Chicago desperately needs.”

Chicago has a different look heading into free agency this year, but adding Rice would be a massive boost. She averaged 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while improving her shooting.

The Sky only have center Kamilla Cardoso, guard Kauley Van Lith, and forward Maddy Westbeld under contract right now.

It will be intriguing to see how the front office wants to address the roster going forward.

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After the failed Jaden Ivey trade, the Chicago Bulls were headed for the crossroads at the end of the season.

More News: Likely Chicago Bulls replacement for Billy Donovan identified

Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan was making it clear to ownership that Jerry Reinsdorf had a decision to make.

Chicago would have to decide between Donovan choosing to return or moving on from executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley. Amid questions about Donovan’s future with the team, it appeared Donovan was a leading candidate for the North Carolina job.

On Monday, things took a drastic turn in both areas.

UNC hired former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone as its next head coach, per multiple reports. Malone won the 2023 NBA Finals with the Nuggets.

With the Tar Heels no longer an option, the Bulls quickly made a decision on their front office, firing Karnisovas and Eversley.

Does that mean Donovan will return as the head coach for Chicago next season?

Not necessarily.

Chicago Bulls sent a message to Billy Donovan

Cowley noted that Donovan could make a pivot much like Brad Stevens did in 2021 with the Boston Celtics. Donovan could decide to take a job in the front office to help Chicago manage its rebuild while the team hires another head coach to develop the roster.

Bulls assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. could be in line for a promotion if Donovan leaves for the front office.

The timing of the firing for Karnisovas and Eversley is key here. The Bulls fired both just hours after reports surfaced that UNC was hiring Malone.

The Bulls sent a clear message to Donovan that they were making the necessary moves to keep him with the organization after the conclusion of the NBA regular season.

Now it’s up to Donovan to decide how the Basketball Hall of Fame coach wants to proceed with Chicago.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Last fall, Tanner Murray and Everson Pereira joined the Chicago White Sox via a four player trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Chicago sent pitchers Steven Wilson and Yoendrys Gómez to Tampa in the deal. Between Murray and Pereira, it was Pereira who made the Opening Day roster, but has since been placed on the injured list following an ankle sprain, with his trade mate Murray getting the call due to his absence.

On Easter Sunday, April 6, Murray made his MLB Debut. The White Sox won the contest over the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 3-0, making this their first sweep of Toronto since 1995 and first 3-0 start at home since the 2004 season. As for Murray, he didn’t see results at the plate, going 0-2, but his glove made an early impact in the game that ultimately changed the trajectory of the contest.

Tanner Murray made a game altering play for the Chicago White Sox during his MLB debut against the Toronto Blue Jays

In the third inning, starting pitcher Davis Martin was in a bases loaded jam. Toronto had clean up hitter Addison Barger up to bat. In order to secure the final out of the inning, and escape without a run crossing the plate, Murray flashed his range and athleticism by fielding a ball on the far side of second base and delivering an accurate throw to first base despite spinning around.

Tanner Murray makes a great play in his MLB debut to keep the Blue Jays scoreless! Awesome scoop by Munetaka Murakami as well pic.twitter.com/jf7D9FoPTY

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 5, 2026

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The Chicago Cubs are 4-5 to start the season. They have dropped two of their first three series of the year, their most recent loss coming against the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend. Chicago lost the first game, won the first game of their Sunday doubleheader, and then dropped the series finale on Sunday night.

Currently, the Cubs are in last place in the National League Central Division. The good news, though, is that there are 153 games left to play, meaning they have plenty of time to turn it around.

When/if they do, their bullpen will be a key reason why.

Caleb Thielbar named the Chicago Cubs best kept secret

David Palencia, Chicago’s closer, is regarded as their best bullpen pitcher for a reason. However, the Cubs still need to get to ninth inning with the lead in order for him to have his greatest effect.

This is why Caleb Thielbar was named by Bleacher Report to be Chicago’s best kept secret:

“Definitely the oldest name on this list, the Cubs re-signed Caleb Thielbar for $4.5 million this winter after the lefty had a career-year at age 37. Across 67 games for Craig Counsell’s squad last season, Thielbar posted a 2.64 ERA. He’s going to be a key piece again this year in getting the ball to closer Daniel Palencia.”

The 39-year-old Thielbar enjoyed the best season of his Major League career last season while pitching for the Cubs. In three appearances this season so far, he has not allowed a run or a hit (though he has given up two walks).

If Chicago can get the ball to Thielbar with the lead late in games, chances are he will set up Palencia quite nicely.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Cubs get big Seiya Suzuki news
• Cubs All-Star is adjusting timing in loss to Guardians
• Ben Brown’s struggles doomed Easter Sunday for Cubs

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Before free agency, the Chicago Bears showed marginal interest in trading for Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby.

More News: Bears owner ‘livid’ with CEO Kevin Warren over stadium

The Bears weren’t interested in giving up multiple first-round picks for Crosby, though the need for help on the defensive line remains a big issue ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Chicago had a rather boring free agency. The team addressed several positions of need, but didn’t add a splashy player in free agency or via trade months after reaching the NFC Divisional Round.

However, the Bears could land a two-time All-Pro defensive tackle yet this offseason.

Per Easton Butler of 247Sports, the Bears are one of several teams that have called the New York Giants about the availability of Dexter Lawrence. The star defensive tackle asked for a trade this offseason as talks for a contract extension appear to have stalled.

“Several teams have called the Giants about Star DT Dexter Lawrence, with some including the Packers, Bears, Jaguars, and Bills,” Easton posted on X.

“Per source, “A Quinnen Williams type trade to start a conversation”. IF traded, Lawrence will be moved prior to the draft, but isn’t expected to be moved, regardless of the public trade request.”

The Chicago Bears could trade for Dexter Lawrence

More News: Bears just gave Ben Johnson a gift before 2026 NFL Draft

The Giants selected Lawrence with the No. 17 pick in the 2019 draft. The six-foot-four, 304-pound athlete has recorded 341 tackles, 30.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one interception, and 15 passes deflected during his time in the league.

In 2023, Lawrence signed a four-year, $90 million extension with the Giants.

In 2025, the New York Jets traded Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a first-round pick, second-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.

It remains to be seen if the Giants have any interest in trading Williams or will give into the defensive tackle’s salary demands this offseason. He’s a crucial piece of the defense for first-year head coach John Harbaugh.

Lawrence would be a great addition for the Bears, filling the need of a pass-rusher on the interior part of the defensive line. That could allow the pressure to be taken off defensive end Montez Sweat.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox did not get off to a good start to the 2026 MLB season. They dropped their first three games of the year, getting swept by the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. They then lost their second series of the year, dropping two out of three games to the Miami Marlins.

Over the weekend, though, Chicago swept the Toronto Blue Jays, who are the defending American League champions. It was the first time in 30 years that the White Sox swept the Blue Jays. Additionally, their 3-0 record at home to start the season is their best since 2004.

It was not enough, though, for those that make up the MLB power rankings.

The Chicago White Sox drop three spots in MLB power rankings

In the latest edition of MLB.com‘s power rankings, the White Sox were docked followed their 4-2 week. They went from being ranked 26th overall down to 29th:

“Munetaka Murakami homered in each of his first three games and has four homers through his first nine games. It’s been a tough start for the White Sox, but Murakami’s power has been fun to watch.”

The Colorado Rockies are the only team ranked below Chicago.

Indeed, Murakami has certainly been one of the brightest spots for the White Sox so far early in the season. The power that he has brought over from Japan certainly seems to be translating to the Major Leagues, which is great news for Chicago.

While it is true that the White Sox have lost 100+ games multiple seasons in a row, the fact of the matter is that they are currently 4-5. This may not be a great record, but it is still early and they played much better over the weekend than several other MLB teams.

Due to their youth and need to mature and grow as a team, it is highly probable that they continue to be one of the worst-ranked teams in baseball in 2026. After this early season sweep of the Blue Jays, though, they probably deserve to be ranked a bit higher than 29th.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox announce roster move before Blue Jays game
• Munetaka Murakami continues to make history
• White Sox return prospect to Boston Red Sox

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bulls are going through a lot of changes in the organization. After not seeing coach Billy Donovan leave to become the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, the franchise is still heading into a new direction. Let’s take a closer look at what happened and what it means for the Bulls going forward.

The Chicago Bulls fire their GM and vice president of basketball operations

For the fourth consecutive season, the Bulls are going to miss the playoffs. As a result, changes are happening for the organization. ESPN’s Shams Charania is reporting that both executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley are being dismissed. With only a handful of games remaining in the regular season, it appears that this could be a way for the franchise to hit the reset button.

Since the team hired Karnisovas in 2020, the Bulls are 224-254 and made the playoffs just one time. Now, the search for a new front office regime is underway and there are a few different options the franchise can go. Below is the statement that CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf released regarding the decision:

“Arturas and Marc have led with a deep commitment to the Chicago Bulls. These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally. We are grateful for their dedication and the work they’ve put in over the past six years. At the same time, we have not had the success our fans deserve, and it’s my responsibility to go in a new direction. This move is about positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead.

“I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand your frustration. I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed ot getting this right. At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud.”

The front office decision that the Bulls make will be significant for the next handful of years. With so many options, it will be intriguing to see who is the next general manager and president of basketball operations. The new front office has a lottery pick and a projected league-leading $65 million in cap space.

The post Chicago Bulls fire Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley before end of 2026 season appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs’ starting rotation took a hard hit to begin April, as two starting pitchers found their way onto the injured list.

More News: Former Cubs and White Sox SP impresses in Diamondbacks debut

Losing right-hander Cade Horton due to forearm discomfort on Friday, the Cubs will also be without left-hander Matthew Boyd. According to Meghan Montemurreo of the Chicago Tribune, Boyd was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a left bicep strain.

To take Boyd’s place on the active roster, the Cubs recalled right-hander Javier Assad from Triple-A Iowa. Assad will start for the Cubs on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays in place of the 2025 All-Star.

In his two starts before heading to the injured list, Boyd went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA while walking three and striking out 17 in 9.1 innings.

Another starting pitching blow for the Cubs:

Matthew Boyd has been placed on the 15-day IL with a left bicep strain.

Javier Assad has been recalled and starts tomorrow.

— Meghan Montemurro (@MegMontemurro) April 6, 2026

The Chicago Cubs will need Javier Assad to be on his game on Tuesday

Since joining the Iowa Cubs Assad has struggled. In two starts, Assad posted a 9.00 ERA and allowed seven earned runs (eight total) in seven innings. However, the 28-year-old did have a great spring, posting a 1.35 ERA in three games. The Cubs ultimately optioned Assad to Triple-A due to not having a spot in either the starting rotation or bullpen.

A decent big league pitcher, the Cubs need will Assad to give them quality innings until Boyd returns. Assad will likely make at least two starts while Boyd recovers from his injury.

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The Chicago Cubs continue to be a mixed bag so far this season, showcasing some high-level execution, but also some stretches of uninspired play. Sunday’s 1-1 double header against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field showcased that dichotomy.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Justin Steele throws off Wrigley mound as Horton awaits imaging on forearm

In the first game of the day, new Cub Edward Cabrera was brilliant through 5.2 innings, striking out 4 and allowing just one hit—a very disputed one to start off the sixth.

Conforto’s flub ends Cabrera’s no-hitter bid

More News: Chicago Cubs: Alex Bregman’s insane 2026 stat is almost the stuff of fiction

In what should’ve been a deep, but routine fly ball off the bat of the Guardians’ CJ Kayfus, right fielder Michael Conforto misjudged the trajectory and ended up with the ball over his head and up against the wall. The double (on what was a 99% probability catch according to Twitter stats account The WARmonger) would be the first hit off Cabrera and, ultimately, the only hit from the Guardians in the game.

“Bad read by Michael,” Marquee Sports Network color commentator Jim Deshaies said at the time of the play. “He actually broke in hard two or three steps before realizing this ball was headed towards the wall.”

Catch probability initially 99% on this one, BTW. It may update later but doubt it goes far. Tough way to lose a no-no. https://t.co/LRdSrYP0hy

— The WARmonger (@TheWARmonger_) April 5, 2026

The Cubs managed to exit the inning with no runs allowed. Later, Conforto redeemed himself a bit by drawing a walk in the eighth inning which would ultimately lead to Chicago scoring the winning run of the ballgame.

Realistically, the outfield flub came at the very beginning of the sixth, with Cabrera having already thrown 75 pitches. Regardless of what happened that inning, it was unlikely that manager Craig Counsell would’ve kept Cabrera in the game that much longer, anyway.

Cabrera’s continued brilliance

If anything, the story of the game was more Cabrera’s dominance than Conforto’s misread in right field. The 27-year-old power-pitching right-hander, who came to the Cubs this past offseason in a trade for Cubs top prospect Owen Caissie and two other prospects, has been lights-out in his first two starts of the season. In 11.2 innings so far, he’s only allowed 2 hits and has yet to give up a run.

After the game, the native of the Dominican Republic heaped praise on the defense behind him as a whole, making sure to emphasize his trust in “all” his teammates.

“I want to thank God for the two outings that I’ve had,” Cabrera said via team interpreter Fredy Quevedo Jr.

“It feels good to have a defense like the one we have out there. We have a great defense, and I trust all the guys. And when I say I trust all the guys, I mean all the guys. It’s a great defense. It feels really, really good.”

Shota Imanaga, who started game two of Sunday’s double header, rushed to give his new teammate extreme kudos.

“As a starter, you want to keep the team in the game,” Imanaga said via his own interpreter, Edwin Stanberry. “He’s able to dominate, and I think there’s a lot to learn from him. I want to be able to do what he’s doing and dominate the hitters.”

The post Chicago Cubs: Brilliant Cabrera loses no-hitter to Conforto flub appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs have been on a bit of a roller coaster to start the 2026 MLB season. Prior to the beginning of the year, many expected the Cubs to be one of the best teams in the National League and challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for a World Series title.

Through nine games, though, Chicago has found more questions than answers to ones they already had. Of course, anything can happen throughout the course of the remaining 153 games, but early indications are that the Cubs are going to be in for a real battle in 2026.

The Chicago Cubs fall to 11th in MLB power rankings

Before the season started, the Cubs were ranked as one of the top 10 teams in all baseball. Even after their disappointing opening series loss to the Washington Nationals, they were still considered a top-ten team.

But after they went 3-3 this week, MLB.com dropped them down to 11th in their power rankings:

“It’s been a sluggish start for the Cubbies, but the biggest news is the status of Cade Horton, who left early from Friday’s start after 17 pitches due to right forearm discomfort. Losing the second-year righty for an extended period of time would be a big blow for Chicago.”

As noted above, there is a real concern about how long starting pitcher Cade Horton will be out. While he was not named the Opening Day starter, he is one of their better pitchers. If he misses a long period of time, it will certainly affect Chicago’s ability to stay afloat in the National League Central Division.

Fortunately, Edward Cabrera has been stellar in his two starts and Matthew Boyd rebounded in his second start after struggling on Opening Day. Still, the starting rotation depth in Chicago is being challenged early.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Cubs All-Star is adjusting his timing in loss to Guardians
• Ben Brown’s struggles doomed Easter Sunday for the Cubs
• Cubs officially place Cade Horton on the injury list

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs have struggled throughout the beginning portion of the regular season.

One of the issues has been injuries, as one player missing from the lineup has been right fielder Seiya Suzuki. As he is dealing with an injury, he is close to making his 2026 debut with Chicago.

Let’s take a deeper dive into when he is expected to return to the field.

Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki is expected to return on Friday

It appears that Suzuki is getting ready to return to the Cubs lineup very soon.

Following the doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, manager Craig Counsell revealed some news regarding his right fielder. He would say that Suzuki will remain in his rehab assignment this week and is expected to return when the Cubs head back to Wrigley Field on Friday.

However, Counsell did discuss how it could be a slower process:

“We’re probably dealing with at-bats as much as anything here. He didn’t get a full spring. Multiple weeks off. It’s just making sure he’s ready to go offensively… We want him to play right field, so we’ll activate him when he’s ready to play right field.”

During his rehab games, he has played right field twice and DH once. Suzuki suffered an injury during the 2026 World Baseball Classic as part of Team Japan. He suffered a strained PCL and has been preparing to make his season debut.

Suzuki is coming off his best season since joining MLB for the 2022 season. He received National League MVP votes as in 151 games, he had a .804 OPS with 32 homers, 103 RBI, and 75 runs scored.

With Chicago struggling to maintain enough offense to remain competitive, adding Suzuki to the lineup makes it even better. Currently, Michael Conforto and Matt Shaw are splitting time in right field, so adding him back would significantly improve the offense.

It will be intriguing to see if Suzuki will return on Friday and how the Cubs decide how much he will play early on.

The post Chicago Cubs get big Seiya Suzuki news appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been making headlines over the last few weeks. It was previously reported that he is trying to trademark the “Iceman” nickname following his late-game heroics in the NFL Playoffs against the Green Bay Packers.

During their Wild Card matchup, Williams led an incredible four-quarterback comeback, capped off by an amazing scramble and touchdown pass to send the hated Packers home early.

Already beloved by Bears fans, Williams cemented himself even more as a rising star in Chicago. Due to the cold weather during the game, he started to be called the “Iceman,” a nickname that he is now trying to trademark.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams did not know George Gervin was the “Iceman”

Williams’ desire to trademark the nickname, though, has been met by challenges by Basketball Hall of Fame member George Gervin. Throughout his career, the former San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls star was known as the “Iceman.”

Gervin’s challenge to Williams attempting to trademark the nickname has been met with mixed reactions by fans online. For his part, the Bears quarterback recently admitted that he did not even know the Hall of Fame basketball player went by that nickname:

“I didn’t know. My dad probably knows his nickname was that. . . . It’s not between me and George or anything like that. It’s more or less people making clothing or people making things like that, and I can’t control what people are making of me, or anything like that, and putting the name on it. And so it’s just to control that aspect of it. I mean, that was the main reason of doing it. . . .”

As can be seen from Williams’ statement, his attempt to trademark the “Iceman” nickname is not a personal attack on Gervin. Rather, he is trying to prohibit other people and companies from making money based on his likeness.

More Chicago Bears news from ChiCity Sports

• Bears head coach Ben Johnson sends new message to the NFL
• Ben Johnson speaks out on unexpected Bears news
• Ben Johnson makes opinion of Bears decision very clear

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams makes shocking confession regarding George Gervin amid “Iceman” dispute appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Sky have not been shy about making moves ahead of the 2026 WNBA season, and have just made their biggest one yet. After a 10-32 season, it was clear the team was not happy with how things had played out. There have been some issues brewing between Chicago and star forward Angel Reese, but the ties have been severed. Let’s take a closer look at what has happened and what it means for the Sky going forward.

The Chicago Sky traded away star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream

The Chicago front office has made one of the biggest moves in franchise history, as they have traded away Angel Reese. The team has sent two-time All-Star Angel Reese and a 2028 second-round pick to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for 2027 first-round, 2028 first-round, and 2028 second-round draft picks, per ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. Chicago is officially hitting the reset button and moving on from their franchise star, just seemed to be the best thing for the team. Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca explained the trade in a press release.

“The trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties. Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky. We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league aand this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond. We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter.”

Reese seemingly had her relationship with Chicago sour following her comments regarding the roster construction. The team deemed the comments as “detrimental to the team” and suspended her for the first half of the following game. However, she would not appear in the following three games to end the season, citing a back injury. Reese played in 64 games with the Sky over the last two years. She averaged 14.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game.

The team can now focus on a young core for the future. Chicago holds picks five, 21, and 32 in the 2026 WNBA Draft and added another two future first-round picks. It will be intriguing to see how the franchise plans to use them.

The post Chicago Sky trade Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Despite fighting back late in the game, the Chicago Cubs couldn’t pull out a win against the Cleveland Guardians, losing 6-5 on Easter Sunday.

More News: Chicago Cubs officially place Cade Horton on Injured List

A major part of the Cubs’ attempted comeback was outfielder Ian Happ. The Gold Glove outfielder came into the game cold (0-for-11), but went 2-5 with two RBI.

Happ hit a solo home run off Guardians reliever Shawn Armstrong in the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie. Happ also singled home second baseman Nico Hoerner in the top of the ninth inning to bring the Cubs within one (6-5).

Ian Happ figured that his problem at the plate was a timing issue

“A lot of it is a timing thing,” Happ said to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian. “You’re swinging and missing or chasing, and you feel like you want to see the ball better. And a lot of times, that leads to being late and it gets worse. It’s really hard to convince yourself to be early and to really get yourself moving when you’re struggling. “And that’s one of the things throughout my career that I’ve battled, is trying to be earlier and kind of committing to that.”

Even though the former All-Star (2022) is the Cubs’ leader in home runs (four), Happ is second in MLB in strikeouts (18). He also carries a batting average of .189 in 37 at-bats and an .809 OPS.

The Chicago Cubs will have a decision to make with Ian Happ

Happ enters the last year of his three-year contract (signed in 2023), and the Cubs will need to decide whether or not to bring back their longtime left fielder. Happ has spent his entire 10-year career with the Cubs after being drafted in the first round (ninth overall) in the 2015 MLB Draft. The Cubs’ longest tenured player debuted in the big leagues one year after (2017) the Cubs broke their 108-year drought without a World Series (2016).

A solid defender in the field — winning four straight Gold Gloves (2022-2025) — Happ has been a consistent hitter at the plate. The 31-year-old has hit 20+ home runs five times in his career, and 130+ hits between 2022 and 2025.

The post Chicago Cubs All Star is adjusting his ‘timing’ in loss to the Guardians appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Don’t look now, but the Chicago White Sox have won four of their last six games after starting the year 0-3. At 4-5, they are tied for second place in the American League Central Division, and are just 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians. The Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers are also both 4-5, while the Minnesota Twins are 3-6.

Obviously, there are still many games left to play in the 2026 MLB season. That being said, the White Sox just swept the defending American League Champions, the Toronto Blue Jays, for the first time in 30 years. They also have started 3-0 at home for the first time since 2004.

Chase Meidroth named the Chicago White Sox best kept secret of 2026

The White Sox have many young players that do not have much Major League experience. As such, this season will see them struggle at times. However, it will also see these players show the club and fans glimpses of how good they will eventually be.

One of these is second baseman Chase Meidroth, whom Bleacher Report recently named Chicago’s best kept secret:

“While the White Sox have little pitching talent, you’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel with a budding offensive core. Rightfully so, Munetaka Murakami has gotten most of the buzz so far this year, but Meidroth led off the 2026 campaign with a home run. Along with Murakami, Colson Montgomery and the currently injured Kyle Teel, there’s finally something to be excited about on the South Side.”

Meidroth is hitting .200/.294/.367 with a home run and RBI in eight games played. While these numbers do not jump off the page, Meidroth could develop into a valuable contributor to the White Sox lineup.

As a rookie last year, he hit .253/.329/.320 with five home runs, 23 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 122 games. What was especially encouraging last year was that he struck out just 72 times in 505 plate appearances. This year, though, he has struck out eight times in 32 plate appearances.

Obviously, in order for him to be a better contributor, he is going to have to put the ball in play more regularly as 2026 progresses, especially if he is to be used as the team’s lead-off hitter.

If he can do that, Chicago will be in a good position to score runs early in games.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox announce roster move before Blue Jays game
• Munetaka Murakami continues to make history
• White Sox return prospect to Boston Red Sox

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox did not see the 2026 MLB season get off to a preferred start. They faced the Milwaukee Brewers, who were 97-65 a year ago, and were easily swept in the first series of the season. Munetaka Murakami hit a home run in each of the first three games of the year, sure, but fans did not have much else about which to feel positive.

Since that woeful opening weekend, though, the White Sox have gone 4-2. Not only that, they just finished up a weekend sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays, who represented the American League in the World Series last year.

The Chicago White Sox swept the Toronto Blue Jays for the first time since 1995

According to White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin, Chicago’s sweep of the Blue Jays over the weekend was the first time that Chicago swept Toronto since 1995. To be more specific, he reveals that the date that it last happened was September 3, 1995.

Additionally, the White Sox have started the season 3-0 at home for the first time since 2004.

Davis Martin pitched six strong innings of scoreless baseball in his second start of the year. He is now 2-0 on the season with an impressive 2.45 ERA. Reliever Chris Murphy earned his first save of the season.

The series finale on Sunday saw shortstop Tanner Murray make his Major League debut. He was 0-2 from the plate, but made a dazzling play and throw in the top of the third inning.

“Fun, great atmosphere,” added Murray after the win (per Merkin). “Fans were awesome. Got the win. Got to participate, and it was awesome. Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

At 4-5 now, Chicago is tied for second place in the American League Central Division, 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians. They start a three-game home series against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox announce roster move before Blue Jays game
• Munetaka Murakami continues to make history
• White Sox return prospect to Boston Red Sox

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Chicago White Sox: sweep of Toronto Blue Jays accomplishes feat no seen in 30 years appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Easter Sunday should have been a celebration for the Chicago Cubs. Instead, it turned into another painful reminder of the team’s most glaring flaw. After taking a 3–0 lead in Game 2 of their doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians (The Cubs barely won 1-0 in Game 1), the bullpen unraveled. They coughed up the advantage and lost 6–5. What should have been a momentum‑building win became another chapter in a troubling early‑season pattern.

After starter Edward Cabrera lasted five innings in Game 1, the Cubs were forced into using Caleb Thielbar, Hoby Milner, and Daniel Palencia. As the offense tried to hold on to a 1-0 lead, they were in survival mode as the bullpen had to absorb innings. Chicago escaped Game 1. But the bullpen entered the second game depleted.

In Game 2, Ben Brown came into the game with a 3-0 lead in the sixth inning. But his command wavered, and Cleveland capitalized, ruining Shota Imanaga’s decent outing. His erratic outing forced Counsell to turn to a bullpen that had already been pushed to its limit. 

The Cubs regained a 4–3 lead in the 7th, thanks to a home run by Ian Happ, who was 0-for-7 (including six consecutive strikeouts across the doubleheader). But Jacob Webb surrendered the advantage almost immediately. The Guardians then took a 6-4 lead in the 8th. In the end, the Cubs had blown two separate leads and turned a winnable game into a 6–5 loss.

This sealed a miserable end to the holiday doubleheader.

Game 2 loss puts the onus on both Craig Counsell and Jed Hoyer for Chicago Cubs

The president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, has the fans very excited about his recent aggressive moves, such as signing free-agent Alex Bregman and re-signing Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner. However, the jury will always be out on Hoyer as long as the bullpen keeps blowing games. This bullpen was a calculated gamble — a mix of bargain arms, rebound candidates, and internal options. Despite his immense potential, Ben Brown continues to frustrate the fans. How long can they put up with his inconsistencies?

Meanwhile, Webb and Phil Maton, two of his offseason acquisitions, have not done their job either. 

Craig Counsell is the highest‑paid manager in baseball history at $8 million per year. That price tag comes with expectations. But right now, the Cubs are last in the NL Central with a 4-5 record. The Cubs aren’t meeting their high expectation yet. Every time a bullpen implodes like in Game 2, every decision he makes is magnified. Fair or not, the criticism will only grow louder, and his bullpen decisions will increasingly come under scrutiny.

The post Ben Brown’s struggle doomed Easter Sunday for the Cubs appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Caitlin Clark lost two Indiana Fever teammates on Friday via the WNBA Expansion Draft 2026.

The Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo will play their inaugural seasons in 2026, and these two sides officially built their rosters on Friday via the expansion draft. Both teams selected 11 players each from a designated pool. The Fire and the Tempo drafted one player each from Indiana.

Kristy Wallace, who was out of the WNBA last season but was still under contract with the Fever, was selected by the Tempo. The Fire, on the other hand, scooped up Chloe Bibby from Indiana. Bibby was a mid-season recruit for the Fever last season amid injuries to Clark and a number of other players on the roster.

Chloe Bibby responds to Caitlin Clark after Indiana Fever exit

Bibby parts ways with Indiana after a brief stint. The Fever signed her in July last year on a seven-day deal, before agreeing to a rest-of-the-season contract a week later.

Bibby, however, played just nine games for the Fever before suffering a season-ending knee injury. The Australian averaged 3.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.0 triples in 9.8 minutes per contest.

The Fever posted a farewell message for Bibby on Friday after she was drafted by the Fire.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Indiana Fever (@indianafever)

Clark was one of the first Fever players to comment on the post. She sent a brief but heartfelt message to her now former teammate. “My Aussie for life,” wrote the two-time All-Star.

Bibby caught wind of the comment and decided to respond to Clark.

“@caitlinclark22 don’t cry too much ” replied Bibby.

The interaction was short and sweet, but it speaks volumes about the relationship they built during their limited time together as teammates. Clark and Bibby may be playing on opposing sides this coming season, but the bond they formed will be unbreakable.

The post Former Indiana Fever player responds to Caitlin Clark after unfortunate news appeared first on ChiCitySports.

As the 2026 horse racing season hits its most exciting and profitable weeks, the world of betting has changed dramatically. Even though you can place a bet on your phone or computer almost anywhere through digital betting platforms, it is still the actual physical locations that determine where the biggest streams of money go. Besides serving as playgrounds where people come to have fun and exchange social experiences, these racecourses have become bases of operations for betting experts who depend on market consistency and liquidity, as well as on accurate, reliable data, to make their decisions.

In 2026, a handful of tracks accounted for the majority of global betting turnover. What makes these venues stand out is how they combine old and new at the very core of the fast-changing betting industry. On the one hand, high-stakes prize money continues to attract top international horses; on the other hand, the use of combined analytical tools enables punters to gain more comprehensive information, usable at different levels of decision-making.

Meydan Racecourse: The Golden Sands of Dubai

Meydan Racecourse has become the main hub for international betting activity during the first months of 2026. It is the site marking the 30th anniversary of the Dubai World Cup, which will be the focus of the world’s eyes, both fans and bettors. Its main race, with a huge purse, regularly attracts top horses from around the world.

As a result, a complex and competitive betting market forms, which is highly attractive to professionals. The amount of money wagered at Meydan is becoming larger as players of large stakes look for the racing pools of the stable. Another reason for its attraction is the dirt surface of the track, which in 2026 has been more consistent than in the past seasons. It has led bettors to go beyond just speed-based methods and focus on flexible runners.

Oaklawn Park: The Heartland’s Betting Stronghold

During spring, Oaklawn Park has discreetly become one of the most powerful horse racing tracks in the USA. While Churchill Downs is getting ready for its main events, Oaklawn is attracting a great number of bettors. Plus, the Arkansas Derby, the track’s main event, pulls in the racing elite and generates big betting numbers. All this has changed the track from just a local place to one recognized nationally in horse racing. Oaklawn Park has always been a reliable venue, and that’s one of the main reasons why professional bettors are so fond of it and keep coming back.

Saratoga Race Course: The Summer Pivot

Saratoga Race Course is going to be the center of the betting world at the end of 2026. The New York Racing Association confirmed that Belmont Stakes would be held there temporarily while the renovation at Belmont Park is taking place. The decision has actually produced an original and carefully-curated summer meeting which unites top-class horse racing with large stakes. As a result, Saratoga is expected to draw an unprecedented amount of attention. In particular, because it is well known as the Graveyard of Favorites, Saratoga has continually been a venue where surprises and major upsets take place.

Flemington Racecourse: The Australian Autumn Surge

Flemington Racecourse has attracted a lot of international attention during its Autumn Carnival, and the betting turnover has also increased there. The Australian Cup has drawn in punters not only from North America and Asia but also from other parts of the world. This massive global participation completely transformed liquidity in betting markets. In fact, Flemington has risen to become a major player in the global wagering system.

The Technological Edge of the 2026 Season

Technology is still changing horse racing entertainment and analysis dramatically in 2026. For instance, some racetracks like Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park are the first to spearhead that change. Live odds and cash-out options, for example, are gradually becoming the norm at all major venues. Using these tools, bettors gain greater freedom and control over their betting decisions. As technological breakthroughs continue to influence the industry, the tracks that will be the most avid users of technology will likely be the ones to rule the betting world.

The post Galloping in 2026: Top Horse Racing Tracks Drawing Bettors This Season appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will contend with two new WNBA teams in 2026.

The Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo are the WNBA’s two new expansion teams heading into the upcoming season. Both sides were involved in the WNBA Expansion Draft on Friday. The Fire and the Tempo selected 11 players each from a designated pool.

The Fever lost two players in the expansion draft. Chloe Bibby is heading to Portland, while Toronto selected Kristy Wallace. The Fever had the right to place five players on their protected list, but neither Bibby nor Wallace was included on the same.

Caitlin Clark reacts as Indiana Fever lose 2 players in WNBA Expansion Draft

The Fever officially announced the departures of Wallace and Bibby on Friday via Instagram. The team sent messages of thanks to both as the organization expressed its gratitude to the departing players for their service.

Clark reacted to both posts, sending her love to her now-former teammates.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Indiana Fever (@indianafever)

“Kdub ily,” Clark commented on the Wallace farewell post.

For context, “Kdub” is Wallace’s nickname, while “ily” is an acronym that stands for “I love you.”

Wallace played two seasons with the Fever, between 2023 and 2024. She was on the team during Clark’s rookie season.

Clark also had something to say to Bibby now that the latter is taking her talents to Portland.

“My Aussie for life,” Clark wrote.

Bibby was a mid-season addition for the Fever in 2025 amid the squad’s injury crisis. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-2 forward also suffered a season-ending injury, limiting her to just nine games for Indiana.

Losing teammates is part of the business of professional basketball, but that does not change the fact that it’s still a sad development. This is especially true for the players, who have formed bonds during their time together, both on and off the court.

Clark’s time as teammates with both Wallace and Bibby may have been short-lived, but it is clear that she’s built lasting friendships with both players.

The post Caitlin Clark reacts to sad Indiana Fever news appeared first on ChiCitySports.

It’s clear that Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has one major priority for his second season as a head coach, and that’s to win.

More news: Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson catching strays from bitter NFL coach

Johnson’s tough coaching was a major key to the Bears’ successful season in 2025. Thanks to Johnson, he completely changed the culture and led the team to an 11-6 record and their first playoff win since 2010.

Since becoming head coach, Johnson has seemed to rub many in the NFL the wrong way.

In particular, many people were offended over Johnson’s comments towards Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LeFleur.

In a new interview, the Bears’ head coach showed he couldn’t care less about what others think of him.

Ben Johnson sent another message to the rest of the NFL

More news: This is the biggest Chicago Bears question ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

In a new interview with The Bigs’ Herb Howard, Johnson was asked if he feels he’s been misunderstood regarding the controversy between him and Matt LeFleur.

Johnson responded with a small but fiery message. The head coach stated that he didn’t come into this league to make friends.

Via SleeperBears on X:

Ben Johnson: “I didn’t come into this league to make friends”

Changed the culture in one season pic.twitter.com/a9D06Z3mZ7

— SleeperBears (@SleeperBears) April 5, 2026

The Bears’ head coach has only one focus in mind, and that’s bringing a championship to Chicago. Johnson continues to show he’s the perfect guy to lead this franchise.

The post Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson sends a new message to the rest of the NFL appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs have a doubleheader on Sunday due to inclement weather, but they also made some news.

Cade Horton is one of the team’s bright young pitchers, and he left Friday’s start with right forearm discomfort. The team made some roster moves regarding the injury before Sunday’s doubleheader.

Let’s take a closer look at what they did and what it means for the Cubs going forward.

The Chicago Cubs officially place Cade Horton on the Injured List

The Cubs have officially placed Horton on the Injured List with a right forearm strain. He would wind up leaving his start after 17 pitches out of precaution, and the worst was beginning to be expected.

Chicago would announce that he will be further examined in Chicago for more testing. This led to the fact that he would be officially placed on the 15-day Injured List with a right forearm strain. In the corresponding move, the Cubs recalled left-handed pitcher Riley Martin.

Losing Horton would be a major blow to the Cubs’ starting rotation, as they are already without Justin Steele to begin the season. If he is able to return to the team after the 15 days, it would be a massive victory for Chicago.

Martin is expected to make his MLB debut on Wednesday on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays. He has pitched parts of four seasons in Triple-A Iowa and has gone 11-7 with a 3.88 ERA and 1.522 WHIP in 139.1 innings.

While not being used as a starter, he did make one start this season for the Iowa Cubs, pitching three innings. It will be intriguing to see if Cubs manager Craig Counsell uses Martin as more of a long relief opener, pitching 3-4 innings rather than a full starter’s workload.

With the bullpen ranking 15th in ERA after a little more than a week of action, it will be intriguing to see how he does to replace Horton’s spot in the rotation.

The post Chicago Cubs officially place Cade Horton on Injured List appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs got a bit of good pitching news on Saturday, to slightly counter some concerning pitching news from the day before. Ace Justin Steele pitched off the Wrigley Field mound and, apparently, looked pretty darn solid throwing live BP.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Alex Bregman’s insane 2026 stat is almost the stuff of fiction

On Friday, emerging pitching star Cade Horton was pulled from his start in Cleveland after just one full inning with “forearm discomfort” and was subsequently placed on the 15-day IL while he’s being assessed.

So, even the slightest hint of Steele—the Cubs’ most efficient and effective starting pitcher over the last several years—looking rotation-ready is a much bigger deal than it would’ve been, even last week.

Justin Steele’s rehab advances

More News: Chicago Cubs, post-Cade Horton injury, tied to still-available veteran starter

The lefty Steele went down with an elbow injury last year, just four starts into the season. Subsequent elbow surgery (ulnar collateral ligament revision repair) put him on the shelf for the rest of the year.

Hopes were high, however, that he would make a full recovery and be a big part of a 2026 squad targeting a deep postseason run. On March 1, Steele told reporters that his doctor had cleared him to resume full baseball activities and that he hoped to be back in the Cubs’ rotation in May or June.

“As far as doctor’s orders, he’s cleared me. Full-go as far as baseball activities, no restrictions,” he told reporters.

Not long after that, the 30-year-old would face live hitters (Michael Busch and Jonathon Long) for the first time since his injury.

“Looks like Justin,” Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy told reporters after the session, with a smile. “There’s days where he has really good cut to the fastball and gets weak contact. And there’s days where it has a little more carry, where you get more swing and miss. I thought today, you kind of saw a little bit of both.”

“I think it went as well as he could have wanted it and hoped for it to go,” Hottovy added. “Now it’s just continuing to build off every outing, every live BP and making sure we don’t get too far ahead of ourselves.”

In the meantime…

With Horton’s status still up in the air, the Cubs will be looking to urgently fill a spot near the top of the rotation. And while it appears that veteran Colin Rea will be taking the young arm’s spot for now, the team will definitely need a more established starter to help carry them to a postseason berth. Over 82 starts and four years as a Cubs rotation piece, Steele has posted a 3.18 ERA.

Until Steele can make his way to active duty, Chicago will have a solid reserve crew to tap for starts, including Rea, Ben Brown, and Javier Assad, who is currently at Triple-A Iowa.

This is all assuming, of course, that the 24-year-old Horton will miss time beyond his 15-day IL stint. However, given that Horton has had his season shut down due to injury two years in a row, chances of a prolonged absence are disturbingly high.

The post Chicago Cubs: Justin Steele throws off Wrigley mound as Horton awaits imaging on forearm appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs went to an uncomfortable place to sign free agent three-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman this past offseason. They not only gave him a 5-year, $175 million contract (as he was on the verge of 32 years of age), but they used deferred money to get the deal done, something which was previously a deal killer for Cubs ownership.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Is it already time to sound the starting pitching alarm?

But the Cubs really, really wanted Bregman and were apparently kicking themselves for not going harder at him when he was on the market prior to the 2025 season. Not only do they value his overall ability—from solid, high-end offense to Gold Glove-level defense—but they also love the intangibles he brings to the clubhouse.

A famously intense competitor and general good guy, the former Astros and Red Sox star is also recognized, league-wide, for his leadership skills.

That particular attribute, especially, was desirable for a Cubs team that stands to lose much of its veteran core to free agency next season.

Bregman’s insanely good decision-making so far

More News: Chicago Cubs, post-Cade Horton injury, tied to still-available veteran starter

Bregman, however, also brings something else to the team—elite-level patience and discipline at the plate.

So far this season, those abilities have really stood out.

Analytics-focused Twitter account, Rushing Baseball, recently posted a factoid that really caught the attention of fans and media:

“Alex Bregman has swung at a pitch out of the strikezone twice

He’s seen 147 pitches.”

Yikes.

Alex Bregman has swung at a pitch out of the strikezone twice

He’s seen 147 pitches

— RushingBaseball (@RushingBaseball) April 4, 2026

Michael Cerami of Bleacher Nation then followed up, mentioning Bregman’s Statcast O-swing rate of just 6.3% (O-swing rate demonstrates the percentage of swings a hitter takes on balls outside the strike zone). Needless to say, that’s an insane number.

Per Cerami:

“As I hope you could have guessed, that is BY FAR the best mark in baseball. The next closest player, Taylor Ward, has an 11.3% O-swing rate. And league average, get ready for a laugh, is 30.4%. Indeed, the single best mark in the Statcast era belongs to the famously patient Juan Soto, who, in 2021, posted an 11.5% O-swing rate for the season. So, yeah, what Bregman has been doing so far this year is the most extreme of the extreme. He is making VERY good choices.”

Meanwhile, PCA…

In deep, deep contrast, by the way, the Cubs’ free-swinging centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is posting an equally (and opposingly) insane O-swing rate of 46%.

Yes, it’s still very early in the season and Bregman only has 32 plate appearances under his belt. But, despite a weak-looking .214 batting average so far, the veteran is currently doing everything right at the plate. He’s clearly making great decisions, seeing the ball well, and hitting the ball hard (he already has two home runs). He’s also drawing walks and making opposing pitchers work hard to get him out.

It should be just a matter of time before his stats reflect all the good going on. Then, the Cubs front office can once again crow about what a good decision they made by bringing him aboard. Maybe his swing selection will even rub off on PCA.

The post Chicago Cubs: Alex Bregman’s insane 2026 stat is almost the stuff of fiction appeared first on ChiCitySports.

MLB: Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Guardians – April 5th, 2026 | Live Cubs-Guardians Score, Play-by Play, Chat, & More

Guardians vs. Cubs Game Info

Game time: 1:10 p.m. ET
TV channel: CleGuardians.TV and MARQ
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Stadium: Progressive Field

Guardians vs. Cubs Injury News

Cleveland Guardians Injury Report

George Valera 10 Day Injury List (CALF)

Hunter Gaddis 15 Day Injury List (FOREARM)

Andrew Walters 15 Day Injury List (LAT)

Chicago Cubs Injury Report

Cade Horton 15 Day Injury List (Forearm)
Christopher Austin 60 Day Injury List (Knee)
Jordan Wicks 15 Day Injury List (Forearm)
Shelby Miller 60 Day Injury List (Elbow)
Seiya Suzuki 10 Day Injury List (Knee)
Justin Steele 60 Day Injury List (Elbow)
Porter Hodge 15 Day Injury List (Elbow)

Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago Cubs Lineup

Cleveland Guardians Lineup

Steven Kwan (L) CF
Chase DeLauter (L) RF
José Ramírez (S) DH
Kyle Manzardo (L) 1B
Bo Naylor (L) C
Daniel Schneemann (L) 3B
Brayan Rocchio (S) 2B
Gabriel Arias (R) SS
CJ Kayfus (L) LF

Chicago Cubs Lineup

Michael Busch (L) 1B
Alex Bregman (R) DH
Ian Happ (S) LF
Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Michael Conforto (L) RF
Matt Shaw (R) 3B
Miguel Amaya (R) C

Cleveland Guardians vs Chicago Cubs Pitching Matchup:

Cleveland Guardians:

Slade Cecconi

RHP
0-1, 12.46 ERA, 5 SO

Chicago Cubs:

Edward Cabrera

RHP
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 SO

The post MLB Scores: Chicago Cubs vs. Cleveland Guardians – April 5th, 2026; Edward Cabrera vs Slade Cecconi | Live Cubs-Guardians Score, Play-by Play, Chat, & More appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox have shown some resilience in the past couple of ballgames and will try to sweep the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.

More News: Chicago White Sox Munetaka Murakami continues to make history

Before Sunday’s contest, the White Sox announced that outfielder Everson Pereira was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 2) with a left ankle sprain. To take Pereira’s place on the roster, the White Sox are calling up infielder Tanner Murray from Triple-A.

Murray, 26, is not one of the White Sox’s top prospects. Despite not being a prospect, Murray has gotten off to a hot start to the season.
Through six games, Murray is batting .304 with a 1.075 OPS with two home runs and seven RBI. However, Murray had a down year in 2025, batting .241 with a .700 OPS in 137 games.

pic.twitter.com/N6ROHRw5NK

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 5, 2026

Tanner Murray will be in the lineup for the Chicago White Sox series finale vs. the Blue Jays

Murray will be in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale versus the Blue Jays for his MLB debut. Murray will be batting seventh and is playing shortstop for Colson Montgomery, who gets the day off.

Ready for Sunday baseball! pic.twitter.com/qDxf6GbEeq

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 5, 2026

A former fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays, Murray came over with Pereira in a trade with the Rays. The White Sox sent right-handers Steven Wilson and Yoendrys Gomez to the Rays as the return package.
Murray should add a little more pop and contact to the lineup, setting career-highs in home runs (18) and tying his career-high in doubles (29).  He is also a .275 career hitter in the minor leagues. 

The post Chicago White Sox announce roster move before Blue Jays game appeared first on ChiCitySports.

There appears to be significant turbulence between Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan and the front office after the fallout from the failed Jaden Ivey experiment.

More News: Bulls owner appears to receive ultimatum from Billy Donovan

There has been growing speculation that Donovan could leave the Bulls this offseason as the team begins a new rebuild.

Donovan, who won two national titles as a college basketball head coach with Florida, has been heavily linked to North Carolina after the Tar Heels parted ways with Hubert Davis.

Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, ownership is weighing making significant changes with leadership this spring. Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley could be out.

Donovan could move to Chapel Hill or take a job in the front office with the Bulls. If Donovan is no longer the head coach, Chicago could promote assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. to head coach.

“Either way, there is a real likelihood that the Bulls are conducting a coaching search in less than two weeks or simply promoting Wes Unseld Jr. since the coaching staff is all under contract through at least next season,” Cowley wrote.

Chicago Bulls could promote Wes Unseld Jr.

Unseld was the head coach of the Washington Wizards from 2021 to 2024, going 77-130 in his three seasons. He was fired in 2024 amid a 7-36 start.

Unseld would be a cheap option for the Bulls as they begin their rebuild. Frankly, this team won’t be competitive for a few seasons, so it wouldn’t make sense for the team to bring in an elite coach this offseason.

With Donovan taking on a role similar to what Brad Stevens did with the Boston Celtics, the Bulls would have a strong brain trust to develop younger talent.

Of course, Donovan could leave for the Tar Heels if the Basketball Hall of Fame coach has more to give in his current profession.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Likely Chicago Bulls replacement for Billy Donovan identified appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs do not have a deep prospect pool in terms of top talent.

They have made some trades to improve the MLB team using prospects, weakening the minor league system. However, they have shown the ability to discover and develop talent.

Let’s take a closer look at how one outlet ranks the Cubs’ farm system entering the season.

Bleacher Report shows a significant drop-off in the Chicago Cubs farm system from last season

Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter wrote an article ranking each team’s farm system heading into the 2026 season, ranking the Cubs as having the No. 21 farm system in the MLB.

He highlighted the top 10 Cubs prospects, where they do a snapshot of pitcher Jaxon Wiggins. Below is what he wrote regarding the Cubs and highlighting Wiggins:

“The Cubs have not always had success developing arms in recent years, but Cade Horton bucked that trend, and Wiggins could be their next success story. The 24-year-old logged a 2.19 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 78 innings while reaching Triple-A last year, and his 70-grade fastball/60-grade slider pairing gives him true swing-and-miss stuff.”

Bleacher Report also has this listed as the team’s top 10 prospects, which they have as this:

1. C Moises Ballesteros
2. RHP Jaxon Wiggins
3. SS Jefferson Rojas
4. OF Ethan Conrad
5. OF Kevin Alcantara
6. 1B Jonathon Long
7. OF Kane Kepley
8. IF Pedro Ramirez
9. OF Josiah Hartshorn
10. C Owen Ayers

This is a significant drop from where they were on Bleacher Report’s list one year ago, ranking eighth. However, they did make some moves, trading away prospects.

Chicago dealt some prospects, including Owen Cassie, for Edward Cabrera this offseason. Having that happen, as well as some prospects like Cade Horton being elevated off the list, significantly weakened the prospect depth right now.

It will be intriguing to see how the front office drafts and develops some young talent to help bolster the major league roster in the next handful of seasons.

The post Chicago Cubs farm system receives disappointing ranking appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The 2026 MLB season is just over a week old and while there is a long ways to go until October, we can still learn some things. For the Chicago Cubs, they are the only NL Central team below .500 as they enter Sunday’s double-header at Cleveland with a 3-4 record.

The Cubs struggled with the Washington Nationals before winning a series against the Los Angeles Angels. And while it is early on, there’s been some pitching woes for the team.

Right now, the Milwaukee Brewers lead the division at 6-2 but it’s a log jam behind them. No one is really out of it but the Brewers’ hot start shows they aren’t ready to give it up just yet. And one MLB analyst and former player believes that’s true as well.

Dontrelle Willis believes Milwaukee Brewers are the team to beat in NL Central for Chicago Cubs

Following Saturday’s Kansas City Royals win over the Milwaukee Brewers, former MLB pitcher Dontrelle Willis spoke on the NL Central. Despite the loss, the second of the year for the Brewers, Willis says the NL Central will go through Milwaukee.

“They play clean, they are going to put pressure on the opposition, that’s what they do. They have been consistently getting off to good starts year after year under Pat Murphy. No different this year,” Willis said. “I think the Central is going to have to go through Milwaukee. I’m sorry Cubs fans, but they have something going on up in Milwaukee.”

“I think the central is gonna have to go through Milwaukee. I’m sorry Cubs fans”@DTrainMLB likes the way the Brewers have started the 2026 season pic.twitter.com/pigxLa9De4

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 5, 2026

It’s still very early so it’s hard to make any judgement just yet. The Cubs won’t stay in last place all season long and things should balance out, so there’s no need to panic.

However, it’s hard to envision Milwaukee just giving up the division without a fight. Willis is right in the sense that Murphy is a damn good manager, which will keep the Brewers in this for the long haul.

The post Former MLB pitcher believes Chicago Cubs will have to chase this team in NL Central appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox have a lot of talent developed through their farm system.

With players like Colson Montgomery and Sean Burke making their way through the White Sox system, they are in a position where they need to replenish the minors. Chicago holds the first pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, so it’s safe to assume they will do that.

But where do they rank for the 2026 season? Let’s take a look at what one outlet believes.

The Chicago White Sox drop to 18th in Bleacher Report’s 2026 farm system rankings

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report ranked all 30 MLB teams’ farm systems for the 2026 season. The White Sox saw a significant drop from last year’s rankings, going from third to 18th. Below is what Reuter wrote while highlighting prospect Braden Montgomery:

“The White Sox received four prospects in the deal that sent Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox, and Montgomery is the only one that has yet to reach the majors. The No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 draft racked up 50 extra-base hits in 121 games last year while reaching Double-A, and the everyday right field job and a spot in the middle of the lineup awaits before 2026 is over.”

In addition, he would write the top 10 prospects in the system. Below is the list he curated:

1. SS Caleb Bonemer
2. LHP Noah Schultz
3. OF Braden Montgomery
4. SS Billy Carlson
5. LHP Hagen Smith
6. RHP Tanner McDougal
7. 2B Sam Antonacci
8. OF Jaden Fauske
9. LHP Christian Oppor
10. SS Kyle Lodise

With the White Sox promoting a lot of their young prospects to the majors, it makes sense to see a dropoff.

Do not be surprised to see them climb up rankings by next season if they are sellers at the trade deadline once again.

It will be intriguing to follow the prospects and see how many get their shot in Chicago this season.

The post Chicago White Sox have major drop in Bleacher Report’s farm system rankings appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago White Sox slugger, first baseman/designated hitter Munetaka Murakami, has been on a tear to begin the year.

More News: Chicago White Sox return prospect to the Red Sox

Early into his big league career, Murakamai has mashed four home runs. According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, the 26-year-old’s four home runs are the most by a Japanese-born player through their first eight games.

Murakami’s fourth home run came against Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Brandon Little. In the top of the sixth inning of Saturday’s game. Little threw Murakami a 1-0 sinker that ran back across the plate. Muraki didn’t miss and sent the pitch 431 feet to dead center field for a two-run homer.

Munetaka Murakami’s four home runs are the most by a Japanese-born player in his first 8 career MLB games https://t.co/XYcYOjI9LT

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 4, 2026

Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery have proven to be the Chicago White Sox’s source of power

Murakami is settling into hitting at the top of the order. So far, he is the White Sox leader in home runs and RBI (seven). Shortstop Colson Montgomery is second after hitting his second home run in the same inning as Murakami.

Montgomery’s first home run was a grand slam against the Milwaukee Brewers. Little again threw a hanging sinker on a 3-1 count that Montgomery didn’t miss and deposited over the right field fence.

round trip for Colson Montgomery pic.twitter.com/tXXTsdaEwJ

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 4, 2026

The White Sox ranked 23rd in home runs last season (165). This means the White Sox will rely on Murakami (24 last season) and Montgomery (21) to continue to generate the team’s power.

The post Chicago White Sox Munetaka Murakami continues to make history appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton looked distraught Friday afternoon in Cleveland when he walked off the field in the second inning of his start against the Guardians, suffering from what was described as “forearm discomfort.” Moments earlier, he had indicated to the dugout that things didn’t feel right, physically.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Is it already time to sound the starting pitching alarm?

“I just wanted to be smart about it,” Horton said. “I’ve been in this spot before and I’ve taken the other route where I keep going, and it ends up being worse. So, I just tried to make a mature decision and end it there.”

The 24-year-old was expected to do big things this year after a breakthrough rookie season in 2025 that saw him perform as, arguably, the best pitcher in all of baseball after the All-Star break.

Manager Craig Counsell told media after the game that Horton to will get imaging to see the extent of the injury and will also be placed on the 15-day IL as he’s being assessed.

Who could take Horton’s spot?

More News: Chicago Cubs: Base thievery may be low-key secret to 2026 success

Now, however, the talk must turn to the future. Specifically, how to fill the young arm’s spot in a Cubs rotation that needs the kind of impact starter Horton was expected to be.

Veteran Colin Rea was brought in to replace Horton on Friday and it’s thought that he’ll likely be the full-time replacement until the team knows what’s in their injured pitcher’s immediate future. Last season, Rea was solid as the team’s full-time rotation fill-in, posting a 10-7 record with a 4.33 ERA in 27 starts.

Chicago also has Ben Brown and Javier Assad as possible rotation fill-ins.

Then, of course, ace Justin Steele is slated to return some time before mid-season.

But if Horton is lost for any extended period of time, the Cubs may have no choice but to reach out and try to pick up somebody outside of the organization.

Some people already have an idea of who that outside pickup should be—Lucas Giolito.

Lucas Giolito to the rescue?

In the Friday night edition of MLB Tonight, the host brought up that exact possibility:

“I keep reminding myself that Lucas Giolito is still sitting out there without a team,” he said, following the segment talking about Horton’s injury.

“He might be a Cub,” replied analyst Harold Reynolds.

Jacob Zanolla of Bleacher Nation also brought up the Giolito possibility:

“The Cubs could look to someone outside of the organization, and there does happen to be one (relatively) legitimate arm still available: Lucas Giolito.

Giolito, 31, made 25 starts for the Red Sox last season, pitching to a 3.41 ERA over 145.0 IP. But while that seems encouraging, a quick peek under the hood reveals the more troubling peripherals that are probably conspiring to keep him a free agent this long: 5.01 xERA, 4.17 FIP. But in terms of emergency fill-in options, you could do a whole lot worse than Giolito.”

Last season with the Red Sox, the 31-year-old Giolito had a good year, stats-wise. But, as Zanolla mentions, maybe the raw numbers don’t tell the full story of what’s under the 9-year veteran’s hood. There has to be a reason, after all, why he’s still unsigned when starting pitching is such an MLB-wide priority.

It remains to be seen whether he’d even be much of an upgrade over the pitchers the Cubs already have lined up as fill-ins.

But he’s somebody definitely worth looking into for a Cubs rotation already showcasing some weakness just days into the season.

The post Chicago Cubs, post-Cade Horton injury, tied to still-available veteran starter appeared first on ChiCitySports.

To no surprise, the Chicago Cubs made a roster move with Cade Horton heading to the IL. It’s not the Jaxon Wiggins promotion some hoped for, but rather calling up lefthanded pitcher Riley Martin. Martin, 28, has been on the Cubs 40-man roster and got some playing time in Spring Training. The native of Salem, Illinois, and 2021 sixth-round pick out of Quincy University, has an interesting story and will now be getting ready to pitch in the Majors for the first time in his career.

The Cubs are calling up LHP Riley Martin, as @SchuckSports first reported.

He was set to go to pharmacy school six years ago, then the pandemic happened and he went from D2 to the Cubs.

Chronicled his story last spring:https://t.co/3g6W5UmBhi

— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) April 4, 2026

Martin joining the Cubs

Martin once had his eye on a career in pharmacy before the COVID-19 pandemic, but now he will join the Chicago Cubs to add pitching depth to the team. Since being drafted out of D2 ball, Martin has accumulated 282.2 innings in the Cubs system, pitching to a 3.76 ERA, 1.4 WHIP, 13.1 K/9, and 5.7 BB/9. He’s spent the last two seasons in Iowa and is coming off a very good 2025 season with a 2.69 ERA and 1.2 WHIP in 47 appearances.

It’s worth noting he has only made three starts in his Minor League career. Though he made a start last Tuesday, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up one run. He has been getting more stretched out, so he can be used in a “swing” role alongside Colin Rea. Given his being on the 40-man roster and Wiggins’ professional experience still being fairly light, it’s clear why they went with Martin for now.

Martin is a fastball, curve, slider, and occasional change-up pitcher. The fastball and curve are his primary pitches, with his heater sitting in the low-mid 90s (93-94 MPH). His strikeout numbers throughout his MiLB career are very good (410 strikeouts in 282.2 IP), and he’s limited the homers (0.8 HR/9). A weakness that stands out is the walks (178 in 282.2 IP).

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The Chicago Cubs entered the 2026 season with significant depth in the area of starting pitching. While analysts weren’t blown away with the high-end potential of the rotation as a whole, most everyone agreed that the team’s strength was in its depth.

More News: Chicago Cubs: Base thievery may be low-key secret to 2026 success

Chicago started the regular season with five established starters (Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Shota Imanaga, Edward Cabrera, and Jameson Taillon) on the Opening Day roster, along with two rotation-capable swingmen (Colin Rea and Ben Brown). Reliable swingman Javier Assad was assigned to start the season in Triple-A Iowa, but would only be a phone call away from Wrigley. Jordan Wicks was also a name tossed about as a possible rotation fill-in. Meanwhile, ace Justin Steele is slated to make his return in May-June.

All told, that makes ten potential starters in the mix for a season where big things are expected.

Now, there’s talk that, maybe, the Cubs won’t have the rotation horses after all.

Horton’s injury spotlights Cubs rotation weak points

More News: Is Chicago Cubs manager tipping new Dodgers-style late-season pitching strategy?

Cade Horton’s forearm injury on Friday and subsequent placement on the 15-day IL is the biggest cause for alarm right now, of course. The 24-year-old right-hander was expected to be an ace-level presence on the mound after a second-half of 2025 that saw him emerge as an elite starter.

But Horton has been injury prone throughout his young career. Last year, he was shut down with a fractured rib late in the regular season and would miss the playoffs entirely. In 2024, he was shut down around mid-season with a shoulder injury. He already has a Tommy John surgery in his past.

At best, Horton had to be seen as a question mark when it came to full season duty.

New Cub Edward Cabrera also has a history of injury, with two stints on the IL just last year.

Matthew Boyd, regarded as injury-prone as well, pitched a full season last year, but it was his first 100+ inning campaign since 2019.

Shota Imanaga got smacked around a bit over the second half of last season and also got smacked around in his first start of this season.

Jameson Taillon got crushed during Cactus League play and looked touchable in his first official start of 2026.

Big problems ahead?

If one of the Cubs’ top starters falters and/or is forced to the IL for a long stretch of time, things will get rough. If a couple starters fall out, there’ll be huge problems. Because, yes, the Cubs have depth, but they’ll need more than seat-fillers. Rea, Brown, and Assad are solid, but there’s a reason they weren’t regarded as rotation fixtures.

For now, as Horton is assessed, the 35-year-old Rea will likely fill the young arm’s spot. The veteran was solid last season as the designated rotation-filler, with a 10-7 record in 27 starts and a 4.33 ERA (11-7, 3.95 ERA overall).

Chicago could do a lot worse when it comes to temporary replacements. But Rea doesn’t bring what Horton brings and “good enough for now” is not what an aspiring championship team needs near the top of their rotation.

For now, it’s reasonable to be alarmed about the team’s starting pitching, especially considering that the season is just beginning and a lot more could happen.

The post Chicago Cubs: Is it already time to sound the starting pitching alarm? appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox’s experiment with right-hander Jedixson Paez has come to an end. According to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, Paez has cleared waivers and was returned to the Boston Red Sox organization.

More News: Chicago White Sox LHP will go for a personal feat vs. Blue Jays

The White Sox selected Paez in the Rule 5 Draft after finding success with right-hander Shane Smith. Smith was the White Sox’s lone All-Star in 2025, with a 7-8 record and a 3.81 ERA in 29 starts.

Jedixson Paez struggled in his three appearances with the Chicago White Sox

Paez, 22, didn’t have a good spring with the White Sox, having a 6.35 ERA in seven games (two starts). He also hadn’t pitched above High-A in his professional career before getting added to the White Sox Opening Day roster.

Paez posted a 5-4 record with a 3.17 ERA and striking out 113 in 96.2 innings last season. A right calf strain sidelined Páez for four months last season.

Making the jump from the lower levels of the minor leagues to the big leagues proved to be too much for Paez. In three innings of work against the Milwaukee Brewers, Paez allowed six earned runs, two home runs, and walked three.

Two of Paez’s walks and three of his earned runs came in his failed mop-up role in the White Sox’s 14-2 loss on March 26. Back with the Red Sox, Paez will have time to develop, but since he’s appeared in the big leagues, his service time has started.

The post Chicago White Sox return prospect to the Red Sox appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Coming off a win in their home opener, the Chicago White Sox look to win two in a row against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Anthony Kay will try to get his first win in five years while pitching for the Chicago White Sox

The post Chicago White Sox LHP will go for a personal feat vs. Blue Jays appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Windy City Bulls have gotten some hardware this season with Mac McClung. He is one of the more famous players in the league, winning three consecutive NBA Slam Dunk Contests. On Friday, he continued to made history for his play. Let’s take a deeper dive into what McClung did and what it means going forward.

Mac McClung becomes the first player to win multiple G League MVP Awards

McClung has been able to showcase his abilities while playing basketball, as he won the 2025-26 G League Most Valuable Player Award on Friday. He put up incredible stats for the Windy City Bulls this season to lock up the award. McClung averaged a league-leading 31.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists over 40 games. However, his shooting stroke was the most impressive thing as he shot 51.5% from the floor and 38.1% from beyond the arc.

This is the second time in his career he won the G League MVP, also winning in 2023-24 with the Osceola Magic. McClung had a memorable season as he also became the G League’s all-time leading scorer, passing Renaldo Major in March. Below is what he said back in March about the record:

“I think it’s a product of good coaches and good teammates putting you in situations like this, and also a product of making the most out of whatever your opportunity is, killing your ego and getting better each year.”

McClung played a handful of games in the NBA this season as well. McClung was still part of All-Star Weekend, playing in the Rising Stars Game. He played a pair of games for the Chicago Bulls and three for the Indiana Pacers. The Windy City Bulls still managed to miss the playoffs, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 15-21 record. It will be intriguing to see if he is able to compete for a third G League MVP or if an NBA team will call him up for next season.

The post Mac McClung makes history winning the G League MVP Award appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox have been one of the weakest teams in the first week of the season. Their abilities on the mound have failed to live up to the hype. The team needs to figure out ways to pitch better in order to win games. One outlet is not too thrilled with the pitching performances so far this season. Let’s take a closer look at the outlet and what the White Sox’s issues are right now.

Bleacher Report labels the Chicago White Sox pitching staff as a loser

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller wrote an article discussing the winners and losers in the first week of the MLB season. One of the losers was the White Sox pitching staff. Below is a snippet of what Miller wrote:

“Only two White Sox pitchers have a sub-4.50 ERA—Lucas Sims, who pitched two scoreless innings in Wednesday’s 10-0 loss to Miami; and Anthony Kay, who had a 3.86 ERA in his season debut in the rotation, albeit with a 6.41 FIP that suggests even that was fool’s gold.

“The fun news here (unless you’re a White Sox fan) is we might be on the fast track to a scenario where Murakami—who signed a two-year, $34M deal this winter—enters the All-Star break with 30 home runs for a team that is 30 games below .500, thus becoming one of the biggest, gettable names on the trade block.”

After the first six games of the season, Chicago has an 8.63 team ERA. This is more than three runs above the second-worst team currently. Chicago needs to figure out how to correct their pitching woes, as it cannot survive with a league-worst .319 opposing batting average through two series. It will be interesting to see how the team is able to do better on the mound going forward.

The post Chicago White Sox pitching labeled as losers, per Bleacher Report appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The ecosystem around CS2 (CS:GO) case battle has shifted toward consolidation. In 2026, users are no longer moving between separate tools for opening cases, upgrading skins, and joining battles. The strongest platforms bring everything into a single flow, reducing friction and making decisions faster.

This shift isn’t just about convenience. It changes how sessions are structured and how users interact with their inventory over time.

Why “all-in-one” platforms are gaining traction

Using multiple sites for different actions creates fragmentation. Inventory gets split, timing becomes harder to manage, and each step introduces additional decisions.

All-in-one platforms solve this by combining:

• case opening
• case battles
• upgrading systems
• exchange or adjustment tools

The result is a more continuous experience. Instead of stopping between actions, users move from one step to another without breaking the flow.

Key-Drop as a unified environment

Among the platforms available in 2026, Key-Drop stands out for how tightly these elements are integrated.

Case opening is fast and direct, with minimal delay between actions. Immediately after opening, users can transition into upgrades or join a case battle without leaving the interface.

This continuity is what defines the experience. It’s not just about having multiple features—it’s about how seamlessly they connect.

The battle system itself is active, with a range of formats that allow users to choose between short, intense sessions or longer, more structured ones.

Platforms with modular systems

Some platforms approach integration differently. Instead of a single flow, they offer modular sections for each feature.

This creates more control, but also requires more navigation. Users can choose exactly how they interact with each tool, though the process is slightly less fluid.

These platforms tend to appeal to those who prefer a more deliberate pace.

Minimalist alternatives

There are also platforms that focus primarily on one or two functions, adding limited integration with others.

For example, a site may prioritize fast case opening while offering basic access to battles. The advantage here is simplicity, but the trade-off is flexibility.

These environments work best for short sessions where speed matters more than structure.

What actually matters when combining features

Having multiple tools in one place doesn’t automatically make a platform effective. The real value comes from how those tools interact.

Key factors include:

• how quickly you can move between actions
• whether results from one feature feed naturally into another
• how clearly each step is presented before confirmation

If transitions feel forced or unclear, the benefit of integration disappears.

Case opening vs case battle: different roles

Even when they exist on the same platform, these two systems serve different purposes.

Case opening is about generating inventory. It’s individual and focused on outcomes over time.

Case battle introduces competition. It compares results in real time and adds a layer of interaction.

The combination allows users to alternate between these roles. One builds inventory, the other tests it in a different format.

Common patterns in user behavior

Observing how people use these platforms reveals a few consistent patterns.

Some prefer short cycles: open a few cases, join a battle, repeat. Others take a more structured approach, separating sessions by purpose.

There’s also a growing tendency to use upgrades immediately after opening cases, especially when results don’t match expectations.

These patterns show how integration changes not just the tools, but the behavior around them.

Mistakes that reduce efficiency

Even with well-designed platforms, certain habits can limit results.

One of the most common is switching between features without a clear goal. Moving from opening to battles to upgrades randomly creates inconsistency.

Another is focusing only on immediate outcomes. Without considering how each step fits into a broader session, decisions become reactive.

It’s also easy to underestimate how much timing matters. Entering battles without reviewing their structure can lead to avoidable volatility.

How to approach integrated platforms more effectively

A more structured approach doesn’t require complex strategies, just clearer intent.

Before starting, it helps to define what the session is for:

• building inventory
• testing outcomes in battles
• adjusting results through upgrades

With that clarity, transitions between features become more purposeful.

It also makes it easier to evaluate whether a platform actually supports your preferred flow.

Where the ecosystem is heading

In 2026, the trend toward integration is unlikely to reverse. Platforms are competing less on individual features and more on how smoothly those features work together.

This creates a more efficient environment, but also raises expectations. Users now notice delays, inconsistencies, and unnecessary steps much more quickly.

As a result, the gap between well-structured platforms and fragmented ones continues to grow.

A system built around flow

The best platforms today aren’t defined by what they offer, but by how everything connects. Opening cases and joining battles in one place is no longer a bonus—it’s becoming the standard.

Understanding that shift helps make better choices. In a fast-moving ecosystem, the advantage isn’t just access to tools, but how seamlessly they fit into a single, continuous process.

The post Opening Cases + Case Battle in One Place: Best Platforms in 2026 appeared first on ChiCitySports.

To say that Sophie Cunningham made a significant impact in her first season with the Indiana Fever would be an understatement.

The Fever traded for the 6-foot-1 guard ahead of the 2025 WNBA season, which saw Cunningham make the move from the Phoenix Mercury to Indiana. The former Missouri Tigers star had spent her first six seasons with the Mercury, and her trade to the Fever marked a crucial juncture in her career.

Before a season-ending knee injury cut her season with the Fever short, Cunningham was a solid contributor for her new squad. She averaged 8.6 points on 46.9% shooting, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 triples in 25.2 minutes per contest. Unfortunately, Cunningham tore the MCL in her right knee in August, putting an end to her campaign after 30 games.

Indiana Fever fans want Sophie Cunningham to stay

At this point, however, there is no guarantee that Cunningham will remain with the Fever in 2026. She is an unrestricted free agent, which means that she can sign with any other team she chooses. Given her incredible rise to fame in 2025, it would not be a surprise if multiple teams around the league show interest in signing Cunningham in free agency.

Cunningham’s “Show Me Something” podcast recently shared an update heading into the new season. The show posted a video of Cunningham dancing inside the Fever locker room, reminding fans that the WNBA season starts in five weeks.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Show Me Something (@showme_pod)

The post generated a lot of excitement ahead of the new campaign. However, more than a few Fever supporters could not help but focus on Cunningham’s future in Indiana. They started pleading with both Cunningham and the Fever to extend her deal with the team.

“Yes We need Sophie to stay with the Fever ” a comment on Instagram read.

“yes Sophie yessssssssss please Indiana fever we need Sophie!!!!!!! ” another said.

“We need Sophie to stay with fever ” a user wrote.

“Signed back with Fever??” asked a supporter.

“@indianafever Please keep Sophie !!” said another.

“Fever you need to keep Sophie. She’s an asset not a waist in any sort of way please keep her in this roster,” a reaction read.

Teams across the WNBA can officially start negotiating new deals with players starting Thursday.

The post Fans plead with Sophie Cunningham after WNBA offseason update appeared first on ChiCitySports.

To say the Chicago Bulls are not doing well on the court would be a massive understatement. While the league has a third of the teams not trying to win games and better their draft position, there are some teams taking it to a whole other level. Chicago has had a lot of tough headlines, and one Hall of Famer took a shot at them ahead of their game. Let’s take a closer look at who it is and what they said.

New York Knicks announcer Clyde Fraizer takes a shot at the Chicago Bulls

As the telecast for the Bulls vs. Knicks game was beginning, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Clyde Frazier took a shot at Chicago.

“I was talking to some friends, man, and I was saying eradicated, obliterated, devastated. They thought [that] I was talking about Iran. But I was talking about the Bulls.”

While that felt like an attack, the Bulls followed it up by being outscored 38-16 in the first quarter. This game includes the Knicks not having Karl-Anthony Towns playing. Entering Friday’s game, the Bulls are 5-19 since the trade deadline. With the Jaden Ivey situation and the inability to win games, the franchise has been a bit of a punching bag in recent months.

Chicago is one of the teams hoping for the 2026 NBA Draft to get them in a good spot. However, they won too much early on so they will not have good odds to win the lottery. Many of the mock drafts have them selecting around the 10th pick, so the front office is hoping the ping-pong balls fall in their favor and make these last few months worth it.

The post Hall of Famer takes shot at 2026 Chicago Bulls team before game vs. Knicks appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears have some question marks regarding their roster as we are mere weeks from the NFL Draft. The team has a strong draft capital to use to improve the team, but there are still some questions with how the 53-man roster looks in Week 1. One outlet highlighted the biggest question for Chicago, so let’s take a look at what they believe it is.

The Chicago Bears’ lack of edge rushers is the biggest question for the team

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report wrote an article discussing the biggest question for each team ahead of the NFL Draft. For Chicago, the biggest question involves finding edge rushers to pair with Montez Sweat. Below is what Gagnon wrote regarding Chicago’s biggest question right now:

“Dayo Odeyingbo was a disappointment even before tearing his Achilles midway through the 2025 season, and the Bears are now left with a big question mark opposite Montez Sweat at one of the most critical positions in the sport. They were apparently in on [Maxx] Crosby last month but are still left searching here in April. They could use the No. 25 pick on a pass-rusher, but a veteran like Joey Bosa or A.J. Epenesa makes sense too.”

According to Pro Football Focus, quarterback pressures show that Chicago needs help in that spot. The Bears finished 31st in the NFL with 214 quarterback pressures. It is important to note that multiple players can be credited with pressures on a single play, so they need to find ways to get closer to at least average. Only the Carolina Panthers (203) had fewer in the 2025 season.

Chicago is a loaded team in terms of talent and has playoff experience now. They need to find someone who can help come off the edge and get to the quarterback. Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or trade, it is important this need gets addressed.

The post This is the biggest Chicago Bears question ahead of 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Despite the game having to go into extra innings, the Chicago White Sox won their home opener 5-4. Facing the reigning American League champions, the Toronto Blue Jays, a critical bunt by outfielder Derek Hill and a single by outfielder Tristan Peters sealed the victory.

More News: Chicago White Sox prospect’s performance may force a tough decision

The White Sox’s resilient win came on the heels of manager Will Venable saying his team “needed to be better.” The White Sox currently have a Major League-worst 2-5 record and had a terrible road trip (1-5) to begin the season.

TRISTAN. PETERS. pic.twitter.com/GaBlnobkNe

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) April 3, 2026

Sean Burke’s bounce-back performance was key for the Chicago White Sox to win

Sean Burke’s first outing against the Milwaukee Brewers didn’t go well. He allowed seven hits, four runs (three earned), walked one, and struck out five in 4.0 innings. However, Burke showed some growth pitching against the Blue Jays. Burke told reporters postgame that he’s “trying to stay on my plan.”

“I think it’s been big,” Burke said to the media postgame. “I think that this year, just trying to stay on my plan and continuing to attack hitters and not let a couple hits or whatever it might be rattle me, and just trying to continue to flood the zone and make good pitches every single time out, I think the focus component, just being super, super focused on what I want to do with each pitch, and just being intentful behind it has been helpful.”

The 26-year-old threw six strong innings, allowing one run (earned), walking none, and striking out seven. Burke pitched behind right-hander Grant Taylor, who was the opener.

Right-handers Jordan Leasure and Seranthony Dominguez and left-hander Sean Newcomb also pitched well following Burke. Combined, all three went 3.0 innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs (three total), walked one, and struck out three. 

According to ESPN, Taylor is the probable pitcher for Game 2 on Saturday. Left-hander Anthony Kay will likely be the “bulk” guy. Kay is also coming off a tough outing against the Brewers — Kay went 4.2 innings, allowing three hits, two earned runs, four walks, and struck out five on 92 pitches.

The post Chicago White Sox’s strong pitching wins home opener vs. Blue Jays appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The 2026 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and the Chicago Bears are getting prepared for their selections. They hold the 25th pick in the draft and have some glaring needs as the team seems finished with signing free agents. With the board needing to fall their way, there is a dream situation for Chicago. Let’s take a closer look at how one outlet believes this would look like.

Landing Peter Woods would be the dream scenario for the Chicago Bears

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report wrote an article describing every NFL team’s dream scenario for Round 1 of the NFL Draft. For Chicago, it is making sure a specific player is still not picked when they are up at 25. Below is the full snippet regarding the team:

“Enough teams to buy into the concerns that Peter Woods isn’t going to be a difference-maker that he’s still around when the Bears get on the clock at 25. Getting their pick between safeties Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Dillon Thieneman would be dream-adjacent.”

The defensive tackle from the Clemson Tigers would be a welcome addition for the Bears. He has been taken by them in mock drafts throughout the offseason, but he fills a need in the interior of the defensive line. Over 35 games, he recorded 84 total tackles (41 solo, 43 assisted) with 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, one pass deflection, and a pair of forced fumbles. He has the ability to pair with Gervon Dexter Sr. or Grady Jarrett on the defensive line.

Improving the defensive line would be a massive boost for the Bears. They need to be able to win the battle of the trenches to add pressure. Adding Woods would significantly help overwhelm interior offensive linemen. The team added secondary help in free agency, so while it would help adding safeties, winning on the defensive line is more important with the current roster construction. It will be intriguing to see what the draft board looks like when Chicago is on the clock.

The post This is the Chicago Bears’ dream scenario in Round 1 of NFL Draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Cade Horton exited his start on Friday with apparent forearm discomfort and will head to the injured list.

More News: Chicago Cubs: PCA data suggests a monstrous 2026 may be on the way

Manager Craig Counsell said Horton will stay with the team one more day and travel back to Chicago for imaging. According to Counsell, Horton said he felt discomfort start in his right wrist, which moved up into his forearm. It was ultimately Horton’s decision to stop pitching, as to not do any further harm. 

Craig Counsell said Cade Horton felt discomfort in his wrist that moved to his forearm, and he will travel to Chicago to get it checked out.

An upcoming roster move is likely. https://t.co/oVdej2xNVf pic.twitter.com/oZ9lGdSsWe

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 3, 2026

The Cubs will make a roster move in the coming days with Horton going on the injured list. The Cubs have until April 8 before Horton’s spot comes up again. Horton was 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA and had four strikeouts in 7.1 innings.

Despite Cade Horton’s injury, the Chicago Cubs have options

Since the Cubs need another quality starter to fill in for Horton, they need to look no further than Javier Assad. Despite having a great spring, a 1.35 ERA in three games, Assad was optioned to Triple-A due to not having a spot.

Since joining the Iowa Cubs, Assad has struggled, allowing seven earned runs in seven innings (two starts). Even though Assad hasn’t done well, he’d be a quality inning-eater if and until Horton returns.

Right-hander Ben Brown is another option to fill in for the short term. Brown has done well out of the bullpen, having a 2.70 ERA and eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings.

However, in 114.2 innings as a starter, Brown has struggled, posting a 5.26 ERA. Since Brown’s stuff is more suited for the bullpen, the Cubs bringing up Assad and keeping Brown where he is seems like the best plan.

The post Chicago Cubs manager provides an update on Cade Horton appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears faced some significant setbacks this offseason, including the unexpected retirement of center Drew Dalman. Though he spent just one season in Chicago, Dalman left a lasting impression on teammates and head coach Ben Johnson.

The 27-year-old decided to walk away from professional football despite having two years remaining on his contract. The Bears signed him to a three-year deal worth $42 million to lead the offensive line. Dalman arrived in Chicago in March 2025 after four years with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Pro Bowl center helped turn the Bears’ offensive line into one of the NFL’s most improved units in 2025. He provided protection that allowed quarterback Caleb Williams to have a breakout season. Williams was sacked only 24 times, down from 68 in 2024. The second-year QB also set a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards.

Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson reflects on Drew Dalman’s impact

 Johnson recently shared his thoughts on Dalman’s retirement. He praised the former center for his major role in the team’s stellar season.

“He’s a big reason why we were able to get the plane off the ground last year,” the second-year coach said via Mark Carman of the CHGO Bears podcast. “We will forever be grateful for him.”

In 2025, the Bears finished 11‑6 after a 5‑12 record the previous year. They scored 441 points, the third-highest in franchise history. The Bears captured the NFC North title and won their first playoff game in 15 years.

Chicago’s offensive line was the key to its success last season, with Dalman playing all 1,154 of the team’s offensive plays. For offensive linemen—particularly the center—who are responsible for protection calls, availability and consistency are crucial.

To fill the void in the offensive line, veteran center Garrett Bradbury was acquired via a trade with the New England Patriots. The Bears traded a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Patriots for the 30-year-old offensive lineman.

Bradbury is joining the Bears after a standout 2025 season with the Patriots. He started all 17 games last season. Across 642 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed zero sacks or penalties. The experienced center played a key role in helping the team reach the Super Bowl.

Johnson believes Bradbury will quickly adapt to the team and make an immediate impact on the offense.

The post Ben Johnson speaks out on unexpected Chicago Bears news appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox have been struggling, and one player who may help is catcher Kyle Teel. He is yet to play this season due to an injury. He gave a bit of an update regarding his status and how he is feeling. Let’s take a closer look at what he said and what it means for the White Sox going forward.

Kyle Teel is feeling better as he recovers from his hamstring injury

MLB’s Scott Merkin talked with Teel ahead of the White Sox’s home opener. Teel provided a bit of an update regarding his status and how he is feeling better as time goes on.

“I feel much better this week, honestly. It’s going well. I would say that like I still don’t know exactly when on the timeline I’ll be back. From the way I’ve been feeling, it’s been a steady incline. From what everyone who has hamstring injuries tell me, there’s going to be a day where it just feels really really good. That’s when you make that big jump. I feel like I’m coming up on that day really soon. I love playing so it’s tough. But everything happens for a reason so going day by day.”

Teel suffered a hamstring injury in pool play for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic on March 11. He was projected to have a 4-to-6 week recovery timeline, and we are approaching the four-week mark.  Chicago is hoping to have him back soon to continue his progression in the majors. Teel only played in 78 games last season and had a .273/.375/.411 slash line with eight homers, 35 RBI, and 38 runs scored while being an excellent catcher.

With the White Sox looking to get their core players together in the lineup, it will be interesting to see when Teel officially heads for a rehab assignment.

The post Kyle Teel provides update ahead of 2026 Chicago White Sox home opener appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Bears are making moves to strengthen a key part of their roster. Head coach Ben Johnson recently revealed his stance on the team’s latest move involving veteran center Garrett Bradbury.

In March, the Bears finalized a deal with the New England Patriots to acquire the experienced offensive lineman. The team traded a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Patriots for Bradbury. 

The move came after veteran center Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired at age 27. The Pro Bowl center walked away from a three-year contract after just one season with the Bears. His departure left the team without a proven leader on the offensive line for the upcoming season.

Chicago Bears’ Ben Johnson excited about new center Garrett Bradbury

Johnson recently shared his thoughts on Bradbury’s trade. The second-year coach seems very excited and confident about the Bears’ new center. Although Johnson has not had the chance to get to know the 30-year-old extensively, the Chicago shot-caller believes Bradbury’s intelligence will benefit the team.

“I only got to talk to him briefly when he came in after the trade, and yet I could tell how bright he is,” Johnson said, via Mark Carman of the CHGO Bears podcast. “I don’t think the chemistry in the room will miss a beat now.”

Bradbury arrived in Chicago following a standout 2025 season with New England. He started all 17 games, not allowing a sack or committing a penalty over 642 pass-blocking snaps. He helped the team reach the Super Bowl by protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes.

Over seven NFL seasons, six with the Minnesota Vikings and one with New England, Bradbury has started 105 games in total. 

Losing Dalman is a tough blow for the Bears. However, Johnson believes Bradbury can step in and keep the offense running smoothly.

“We came to a consensus that Garrett was going to fit us like a glove,” he said. “Obviously, he had a lot of success last year, made it to the Super Bowl. Very cerebral player.”

Bradbury is in the final year of the two-year deal he signed with the Patriots last offseason. He is set to earn $4.7 million for the 2026 season. The trade was an affordable move that let the Bears fill a key position without sacrificing multiple top draft picks. 

The post Ben Johnson makes his opinion of Chicago Bears’ decision very clear appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago Cubs have one of the better starting rotations in baseball, but the depth may be tested rather quickly.

Cade Horton, a promising young starter, was starting Friday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, but was pulled early with an injury. Let’s take a closer look at what we know at this point and what it could mean going forward.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Cade Horton leaves the game with right forearm discomfort

Horton was today’s starter for the Cubs as they begin their road series with the Guardians. He looked sharp in the first inning, but the second inning saw some issues. Horton would throw a 93.8 mph fastball to Bo Naylor and immediately look into the dugout. The trainer and manager Craig Counsell would come out, and Horton would exit the game.

Marquee Sports’ Taylor McGregor would say on the broadcast that he had “tears in his eyes” as he was heading to the clubhouse. The team would officially call the injury right forearm discomfort. Unfortunately, the mind immediately jumps to Tommy John with forearm injuries, but it’s important to note that nothing has been announced at this point.

Horton is coming off a promising 2025 season as a rookie, finishing second in the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year voting. If he is going to miss extended time due to the injury, expect Javier Assad to get called up. He has been pitching in Triple-A and is on the same schedule as Horton has been in terms of starts.

It will be interesting to see what the latest updates for Horton will be. We will likely not find out until after the game concludes when we hear from Counsell.

The post Cade Horton exits start with right forearm discomfort vs. Cleveland Guardians appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox are struggling in the early stages of the season, but they made some news on Friday. With all the emotions that the home opener brings, one of the faces of the franchise will be immortalized. Let’s take a closer look at what happened and why this decision has been made.

Ozzie Guillen will have his number retired with the Chicago White Sox

During the home opener on Friday, the White Sox announced they will be retiring Guillen’s #13 jersey on August 8. They announced it on the scoreboard with a video showing some of his highlights as a player and manager. Guillen spent the first 13 years of his playing career with the White Sox. In that time, he would win the 1985 AL Rookie of the Year Award, win a Gold Glove, and make three All-Star teams. He would post a .265/.286/.339 slash line with 24 homers, 565 RBI, and 163 steals in 1,743 games.

Guillen would return to the organization as a manager for the team in 2004. It took just two years and he led the team to win the World Series. He would manage the team through the 2011 season and post a 678-617 (.524) record. He would go 12-4 in the playoffs as well before leaving to take the Miami Marlins job in 2012. Guillen will now have his number immortalized with the following other numbers:

• Nellie Fox (#2)
• Harold Baines (#3)
• Luke Appling (#4)
• Minnie Minoso (#9)
• Luis Aparicio (#11)
• Paul Konerko (#14)
• Ted Lyons (#16)
• Billy Pierce (#19)
• Frank Thomas (#35)
• Jackie Robinson (#42)
• Mark Buehrle (#56)
• Carlton Fisk (#72)

Chicago is retiring one of its top all-time personalities and lifers for the rest of the franchise’s history. Guillen was brought to tears when this was announced, catching him completely by surprise. It will be interesting to see how August 8 will look when the ceremony takes place.

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Chicago White Sox play-by-play John Schriffen didn’t get off to the best start with fans when he took over for Jason Benetti. The first “South Side Stand Up” call was criticized by fans, analysts and local media members. But now, there might be another concern for Schriffen.

One of the lone bright spots through the first week for the White Sox has been rookie Munetaka Murakami. He began the year with three-straight home runs despite the team being swept in Milwaukee. He even earned a nickname on behalf of Schriffen as “South Side Samurai” following a RBI single the other day against the Miami Marlins.

But a new report from the Chicago Sun-Times suggests that White Sox brass wasn’t happy with the call.

John Schriffen’s nickname for Munetaka Murakami causing concern for White Sox?

With Schriffen in a contract year, this isn’t a great start. The Chicago Sun-Times’ Jeff Agrest reported on Thursday that Schriffen’s call didn’t excite the White Sox brass due to the possibility of offending viewers:

“That one is crushed into center field,” Schriffen said. “Here comes [Edgar] Quero, he will score easily. An RBI single for the ‘South Side Samurai.’ ”

Schriffen emphasized those last three words, of which analyst Gordon Beckham seemed to approve, following excitedly with, “Whoa! Oh, baby!”

Sox officials weren’t as excited about the possibility of offending viewers. Fans shouldn’t expect to hear the nickname again.

The White Sox are set to host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday for their home opener. We will see if Schriffen uses the nickname or if it was a one-time thing on the South Side.

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The Chicago Cubs made a lot of moves this past offseason and are now about a week into a 2026 campaign where big things are expected.

More News: Is Chicago Cubs manager tipping new Dodgers-style late-season pitching strategy?

The biggest move, of course, was the signing of three-time All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman to a 5-year, $175 million contract.

They finally pulled the trigger on a trade with the Miami Marlins for emerging powerhouse pitcher Edward Cabrera, who they had been eyeing already for the better part of two seasons.

They also restocked a depleted bullpen with the signing of four free agent relievers (Phil Maton, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb, and Hunter Harvey).

They even secured the future of the franchise with big-money six-year extensions for centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and second baseman Nico Hoerner.

Despite a tepid start to the 2026 campaign, most would agree that this Cubs team looks deep and all-around good. The starting rotation is deep, the bullpen is versatile, the defense is elite, the offensive firepower is also there.

Speed kills—opposition

More News: Chicago Cubs trade deemed both smartest and dumbest move of offseason

One overlooked strength, though, could be the key to next-level success this season—speed. Specifically, speed as it pertains to having an aggressive mindset on the bases and the ability to pile up stolen bases.

Third base coach Quintin Berry is one of the key leaders in that area, tasked, along with first base coach Jose Javier, with getting the Cubs moving on base.

Last season, Chicago was tied for third in all of baseball with 161 stolen bases in 196 attempts, marking a near elite-level success rate just above the 82% mark. This season, the team is 7-for-7 in stolen base tries.

Berry came over from manager Craig Counsell’s old team, the Milwaukee Brewers, for the 2025 season in a thus far successful attempt at replicating the Brewers’ aggressive mindset on the bases. A former Cub, himself, Berry spent his MLB playing days as a baserunning specialist.

The Cubs’ baserunning specialist

The Chicago Sun-Times recently talked with him about his role in getting the Cubs moving.

“I’m more of a peace of mind [guy] — peace for [Crow-Armstrong],’’ Berry said. “Just like, what is he thinking, what’s he doing with his body. How to keep him relaxed and be confident.

“A lot of times, guys want to be quick. They’re trying so hard. I think the harder you try, the more tense you get, the more locked up, and then you see things that aren’t there, and then you get real passive, or you get real jumpy.

“So I’m just trying to make guys feel confident, confident and comfortable.’’

While home runs and strikeouts get most of the fan and media love, stealing bases and being able to get an extra bag here and there is such an overlooked asset in baseball. It adds a level of extra pressure to an opponent and forces them to operate outside their original plan. And the Cubs have been built with an eye on speed. Up and down the lineup, with the exception of maybe two spots, there’s some serious running ability present.

Could this ability to steal bases prove to be the deciding factor in how this season finishes? As always, time will tell.

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Head coach Billy Donovan appears to be at a crossroads with the Chicago Bulls as the NBA regular season winds down.

More News: Bulls owner appears to receive ultimatum from Billy Donovan

Unlike the previous few years, the Bulls have no Play-In Tournament to prepare for after trading its core trio this season. Donovan appears frustrated with the front office, and the ramifications of the failed Jaden Ivey trade might have been the final straw for the Basketball Hall of Fame coach.

Donovan has been connected to the North Carolina head coaching search ever since the Tar Heels parted ways with Hubert Davis. Donovan, a two-time national champion at Florida, would be a huge get for UNC.

However, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd had appeared to be the number one target for the Tar Heels.

Per Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, Lloyd rejected a “top-two contract” at UNC to sign a contract to stay at Arizona.

“Sources: UNC offered Tommy Lloyd a top-two contract in CBB. Lloyd took less to stay, but will still bump up to $7.2 million starting next season,” Norlander posted on X. “Staff pool also will get a huge bump + incentives brought back to their contract structures. He’ll also no longer report to the AD.”

Chicago Bulls HC Billy Donovan could leave for UNC

With Lloyd’s rejection, the door stays open for Donovan.

So does the pay. North Carolina was willing to offer Lloyd over $8 million. Kansas head coach Bill Self makes $8.8 million per year. Arkansas head coach John Calipari makes $8 million.

Donovan has the leverage to ask for a better contract from UNC than what Lloyd would have received, as Donovan has the rings and a HOF resume at the college level.

The Bulls will end their regular season against the Dallas Mavericks on April 12, five days after the transfer portal is set to open for college basketball on April 7.

Donovan could be behind in the portal, but his pedigree should help UNC in the future if he decides to leave the Bulls for college.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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.Before Toni Kukoc joined the Chicago Bulls in the 1993-94 NBA season, he was making a name for himself overseas. Both Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were able to see that first hand at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Now, the Croatian national team along with Kukoc will be featured in a special documentary about the 1992 Olympics.

Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Jack Baric is set to begin production on his latest feature. More Than a Dream is an inspirational sports documentary that tells the extraordinary story of the Croatian national basketball team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Baric will direct and produce the film, which will explore the team’s remarkable silver medal win in their Olympic debut as an independent nation, challenging the legendary “Dream Team” in the gold medal game. Led by four players who were among the first group of international players to enter the NBA – Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja, and Stojko Vrankovic – the Croatians emerged as a premier European force, defying expectations and securing a place in basketball history.

The inspiration for the film

While the Dream Team commanded the global spotlight during the 1992 Olympics, the Croatian squad arrived in Barcelona with little fanfare. Back home, the newly independent nation was fighting the deadliest conflict on European soil since World War II — a war that claimed more than 10,000 Croatian lives and displaced over 300,000 people.

With a third of their country under siege and fierce fighting all around them, the Croatians risked everything just to make it to practice and games. Leading the charge were four players who were among the first wave of international stars to enter the NBA: Drazen Petrovic of the New Jersey Nets, Toni Kukoc of the Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics big men Dino Radja and Stojko Vrankovic.

The entire world knew the Dream Team was destined for gold in 1992, so the real race was to see who would face them in the final. Croatia, Russia, Lithuania, Brazil, and Australia all vied for that spot—with Croatia ultimately earning the right to meet the Americans in the championship game.

“More Than a Dream is more than a sports story,” Baric said. “It’s about a nation fighting to define itself under impossible circumstances. And the courage of athletes who carried the hopes of an entire country onto the world stage. Their journey to Barcelona, facing the greatest team ever assembled, is a testament to resilience, love, unity, and the unbreakable human spirit. I can’t wait to bring their story to life on screen.”

“Representing Croatia in 1992 was one of the greatest honors of my life,” Kukoc said. “Our people were going through a very hard time. And the Olympics were much more than a basketball tournament for me and my teammates. We wanted to do something for our people. I’m thankful to Jack for telling the story of what that team meant—not just for basketball, but for Croatia.”

Full production on More than a Dream is slated to begin in May. It will feature interviews with various sports, cultural, and political figures from Croatia and the United States over archival footage of the team, Olympic games, and wartime Croatia.

Baric plans to premiere the film at the LA28 Olympics.

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The Chicago Bears had an intriguing offseason, but lost a significant part of the front office. The Atlanta Falcons hired assistant general manager Ian Cunningham and promoted him to their general manager position. However, things are not going as expected for the Bears as they were expecting to be awarded by the NFL a compensatory pick. The NFL responded to the team on Friday, so let’s take a closer look at what they decided and what it means.

The Chicago Bears are denied any compensatory picks due to Ian Cunningham’s hire by Atlanta

Chicago will not be receiving any compensatory picks after their appeal. On Friday, the league officially rejected the appeal, meaning the third-round compensatory pick will not be given to the Bears.

“The matter is now closed following the club’s appeal. The NFL informed the Bears today they will not receive compensatory picks. The policy is desinged to provide picks for the Primary Football Executive position. The League determined Mr. Cunningham did not fill that role with the Falcons as it is defined in League rules.”

While this is the NFL’s stance, their operations seem to have it worded a bit differently. Below is from the NFL Operations regarding the Rooney Rule:

“In November 2020, team owners approved a proposal rewarding teams who developed minority talent that went on to become GMs or head coaches across the league. If a team lost a minority executive or coach to another team, that team would receive a third-round compensatory pick for two years.”

The Bears argued that Cunningham’s hire by the Falcons would fit this criteria, but it appears not. As a result, Cunningham is going to a new organization as the team’s general manager. Cunningham handled the duties of a general manager during the spring meeting, including being in the annual GM photo. However, the league determined this was not enough.

Chicago will now have their allotted picks known and zero compensatory selections as a result.

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The Chicago Cubs, early this season, appear to be very cognizant of what their postseason should look like and how best to optimize a run at a championship. Last year, the focus seemed to be on just making the postseason.

More News: Chicago Cubs trade deemed both smartest and dumbest move of offseason

In 2025, pitching injuries hobbled their playoff run. By the time they reached the NLDS, they were down to, maybe, two reliable starters and two or three trusted relievers. It was a sobering reality that played out at the tail end of an otherwise tremendous season.

In 2026, however, the pitching focus has seemingly shifted to depth and to pacing themselves for a more pitching-powerful postseason.

That, maybe especially, means keeping an eye on the workload of the team’s younger starters and using their long relief to greater benefit early in the season.

That mindset seemed evident in the first starts of Cade Horton and Edward Cabrera.

An early focus on workload

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Both young arms were cooking into the sixth inning with a minimal pitch count. Manager Craig Counsell opted to take both out of their respective games.

Horton and Cabrera do have a history of injury and durability issues, so it’s no surprise that Counsell would want to be cautious with both. Horton, for example, was shut down late in the season and missed the playoffs entirely with a rib injury, after a sizzling post-All-Star break run. But Counsell’s own words to the media after the Horton game reveal, perhaps, more of a long-term team goal than a simple focus on the health of one young arm.

“If you look at history,” Counsell said, “the first three weeks of the season for pitchers are pretty delicate.”

Counsell has also talked about the benefit of having starter-capable pitchers such as Ben Brown and Colin Rea on the team.

“Having a pair of experienced starters filling in the long-reliever role is a luxury for a team,” Counsell said.

“Early in the season, we thought it could be valuable. With unforeseen weather and being cautious with the starters, I think it’s worked out and will continue to be an asset the next couple of weeks.”

It’s been speculated that the Cubs may be trying to adopt a 2025 Dodgers strategy to managing their starting corps, one where the team is ultra conservative with their starters in order to bring a strong and rested rotation into the playoffs.

Adopting the 2025 Dodgers strategy?

Last season, the Dodgers’ rotation was strained throughout much of the regular season due to injury, with only Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivering more than 112.2 innings as a starter.

They were then careful and judicious with the return of injured/recovering starters Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and even Shohei Ohtani. Ultimately, they were able to reintroduce all three to the rotation just in time for a strong pennant push and then the postseason.

The strategy paid off as Yamamoto and the fresh, strong threesome of Glasnow, Blake, and Ohtani accounted for more than 68% of the innings pitched in the postseason en route to another World Series win for the Dodgers.

The Cubs don’t have the studs the Dodgers did, but they do have big-time depth. The team currently has seven possible starters on the big league roster and Javier Assad in Iowa, with recovering ace Justin Steele set to make his return before mid-season.

If the workload is handled just right, it’s almost a guarantee that Chicago will be able to put together a very nice four-man rotation for what they hope to be a deep postseason run.

Last season, they really didn’t have that luxury of depth—and they ultimately paid the price. This season, they’re angling for a much different end to the season.

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The Chicago White Sox got off to a poor start to begin the season.

More News: Chicago White Sox prospect’s performance may force a tough decision

Starting 1-5 on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers and the Miami Marlins, manager Will Venable said his team “needs to be better.”

“However you want to characterize it, we fell short, right? And I think, you know, our message to the guys is that we need to be better,” Venable said before the home opener on Friday to 104.3 The Score.

White Sox manager Will Venable on his message after a disappointing start: “We’re moving forward.” pic.twitter.com/3n9OHfhu5k

— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) April 3, 2026

The White Sox’s pitching staff pitched poorly and ranks as the worst staff in baseball (8.63 ERA). The White Sox also gave up the most earned runs in the early goings (47).

The road ahead won’t get easier for the Chicago White Sox

Despite being back home, the White Sox welcome in some tough American League East opponents. The White Sox open a three-game series on Friday versus the reigning American League Champions, the Toronto Blue Jays (4-2). The Baltimore Orioles come to town on Monday (3-3, April 6-8).

The Blue Jays’ starting rotation has been hit hard with injuries. Right-hander Cody Ponce sprained his right ACL on Monday and will miss time.
The Blue Jays were already without right-handers Trey Yasavage (right shoulder impingement), Jose Berrios (right elbow stress fracture), and Shane Bieber (right elbow inflammation) to begin the year.

Maybe now that they’re back at home and the Blue Jays are down some of their better arms, the White Sox could finish the home stand at .500.

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It’s April, but members of the Green Bay Packers are still crying about Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson.

More News: Bears owner ‘livid’ with CEO Kevin Warren over stadium

Immediately after taking the head coaching job with Chicago, Johnson took a shot at Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, saying he enjoyed beating him twice a year when he was the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions.

The Bears beat the Packers twice last year via incredible comebacks, including in the wild-card round. Following Chicago’s playoff win over Green Bay, Johnson offered LaFleur a very quick handshake with a little attitude before going to celebrate with his team.

Johnson further upset the Bears’ hated rival by saying “(expletive) the Packers” after the game.

All sorts of Packers fans who enjoyed former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers taunting the Bears for years came out of the woodwork in Wisconsin to cry about Johnson’s rhetoric.

During an interview with Kay Adams, new Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley made reference to the handshake when saying there was no animosity between him and LaFleur.

“I’ll shake his hand after the game, it’s not going to be one of those (things),” Hafley said.

NFL coaches are scared of Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson

More News: Bears just gave Ben Johnson a gift before 2026 NFL Draft

Hafley had a reason to be upset after the loss to Chicago. Johnson exploded his defense in the fourth-quarter comeback.

But Hafley wasn’t exactly a saint when he left the Packers. He strong-armed LaFleur into taking linebackers coach Sean Duggan to Miami to become Hafley’s defense coordinator.

Hafley told LaFleur he couldn’t keep Duggan, and LaFleur had to give in.

With LaFleur being unable to fight his own battles, it’s nice he has other NFL coaches to stand up for him, even if they take advantage of him at the same time.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Bears entered the offseason facing a significant setback after losing wide receiver DJ Moore. The 28-year-old’s departure leaves a major gap in the offense and raises questions about the team’s direction. Head coach Ben Johnson addressed the situation and revealed how the team will adjust moving forward.

The Bears traded the star receiver to the Buffalo Bills in March in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick. The move cleared significant salary cap space but removed the primary target for quarterback Caleb Williams.

Moore was a key part of Chicago’s passing offense and among its most dependable players. He excelled in creating separation and gaining extra yards after catching the ball. With him gone, the Bears lose both his on-field performance and his experience as a veteran leader.

Chicago Bears’ coach Ben Johnson on next steps following DJ Moore’s departure

Johnson, in his second season as Bears’ head coach, recently addressed the unfortunate development of losing a cornerstone player. He indicated that the team will not designate a direct successor to Moore’s WR1 role immediately. Instead, the coaching staff plans to replace the wideout’s production using players beyond just the receiving group.

“It’s a competition between the receiver room, the tight end room and the running back room,” Johnson said, via Mark Carman of the “CHGO Bears” podcast.

The wide receiver group is now shifting its focus to developing younger talent like Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. These high-draft picks from the past two seasons must now handle increased defensive scrutiny. To assist in the transition, the Bears signed former Detroit Lions veteran receiver Kalif Raymond to a one-year deal in mid-March.

There will also be pressure on the team’s tight ends to be dependable targets for the quarterback. Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland have long arms and can make important catches to keep drives going. The Bears could potentially utilize two-tight-end formations more often in the upcoming season.

As the 2026 campaign approaches, Johnson is focusing on improving the offense that helped Chicago win last year’s NFC North title.

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The Chicago Bears are getting prepared to improve their roster in the 2026 NFL Draft. They were able to do so earlier in the offseason, but now they are looking for fits. One outlet found the best fit for the franchise, but who is it? Let’s take a closer look at who it is.

The Chicago Bears would be a great fit for Kayden McDonald

Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman wrote an article for The Athletic discussing draft fits for players and teams. Baumgardner listed the Bears as a fit for Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald. Below is what he wrote about the possible pairing:

“McDonald reminds me quite a bit of his former Buckeyes teammate (and current Detroit Lion) Tyleik Williams. He’s a versatile 6-foot-3, 330-pound run stuffer, with an ability to chase and find the ball outside his square. McDonald has better long-term pass-rush potential than Williams and could be a legitimate three-down three-tech, because of his ability to slide over to nose when the moment requires.

The biggest drawback with McDonald right now is his youth. He only had one season as a starter in college and hasn’t quite put it all together just yet, pass-rush-wise. Bottom line, though, is that McDonald is a disruptive presence capable of pushing the pocket. He would offer immediate help to a so-so defensive interior. A long-term duo of McDonald and Gervon Dexter Sr. in the Windy City sounds like a successful one.”

McDonald has been a pick in some mock drafts for Chicago to land. He’s an All-American and national champion in his three-year collegiate career. Throughout 34 games, he recorded 85 total tackles (38 solo, 47 assisted) with 11.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, three pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and a pair of fumble recoveries.

McDonald has certainly received interest, as he has a private visit with Chicago already scheduled. Their defensive linemen need to be able to create pressure in the trenches. It will be intriguing to see if McDonald will be part of defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense in 2026 and beyond.

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Chicago White Sox prospect, infielder Sam Antonacci, has been outstanding since joining the Charlotte Knights.

More News: Former Cubs and White Sox SP impresses in Diamondbacks debut

In his first six games, Antonacci is batting .333 with a 1.083 OPS, two home runs, and four RBI. The 23-year-old’s strong start comes on the heels of a great spring. In nine games, he hit .368 with a 1.328 OPS, two home runs, and five RBI.

Antonacci has made a strong case to get a call-up to the White Sox. However, he is currently blocked and may force the White Sox to make a tough decision.

Sam Antonacci has expanded his versatility while in the minor leagues

An infielder by trade (third baseman, second baseman, and shortstop), Antonacci has played five of his six games in left field. So far, he’s posted a perfect fielding percentage (1.000) and made eight putouts with one assist.

The idea of Antonacci playing the outfield is to expand his versatility. Shortstop Colson Montgomery and second baseman Chase Meidroth block Antonacci in the middle-infield.

Third base could be in play with Miguel Vargas proving to be a poor defender so far (-17 defensive runs saved). However, his bat has been solid to start the season, .263 with a double, a home run (grand slam), and six RBI.

Sam Antonacci’s performance and versatility may force the Chicago White Sox to make a tough decision

Antonacci may force the White Sox to make a tough decision with his expanded versatility and batting. Only a couple of players on the 26-man roster are “expendable.”

Infielder/outfielder Luisangel Acuña has struggled at the plate through five games, batting .200 with a .494 OPS. Acuña has also been terrible in center field, posting a -71 defensive runs saved in 19.0 innings.

Outfielder Everson Pereira (day-to-day with a sore ankle) has done better at the plate but struggled in the field. In five games, Pereira is batting .250 with a .794 OPS and a home run, but has a -37 defensive runs saved in 37.0 innings in right field.

Acuña and Pereira have no more minor league options left. Since they’re out of options, the White Sox would need to place them on outright waivers, exposing them to be claimed by another team.

Both are still young in their careers — Acuña is 24 and Pereira is 25. The White Sox may have to take a gamble on losing one of them if they feel Antonacci can come up and produce as he has.

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The partnership between Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams transformed the franchise during the 2025 season. Johnson joined the team in January 2025 and immediately focused on a tailored offensive system for the young quarterback.

In Johnson’s first season at the helm, Williams thrived under his direction. The 24-year-old quarterback set a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards. He also finished the 2025 season with 27 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. This performance earned Williams the title of Bears’ Offensive Player of the Year.

Johnson also helped Williams improve his efficiency, as his sack rate dropped from 68 in 2024 to just 24 last season. Thanks to their collaboration, the Bears finished 11–6 and won the NFC North last season. They also earned their first playoff win since 2011.

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams shows the lighter side of his bond with Ben Johnson

Each game and practice brought Johnson and Williams closer together. Their bond went beyond the field, with fans catching glimpses of their playful camaraderie on social media.

On Monday, Williams shared a candid photo of Johnson on his Instagram story. It showed the coach sitting on a white chair. He jokingly captioned the image “Say cheese” alongside two laughing emojis.

Caleb Williams latest Instagram story pic.twitter.com/fBqcIaG4ON

— Dave (@davebftv) March 30, 2026

After arriving from the Detroit Lions, Johnson set the tone immediately. He pushed the Bears’ players through a grueling training camp and transformed the team’s culture. Williams and his teammates responded by embracing his intensity and trusting his system.

Williams has praised Johnson’s coaching, saying it has had an unparalleled impact on his development. He added that he looks forward to many more successful games and moments with Johnson.

“He’s been a catalyst for us,” Williams said in an interview. “I’m happy to have him as my coach. What he’s been able to do for me has been unparalleled … I’m excited about our future. I’m excited to get back here with him, grow more than I did this year, and have games and moments like this many times in our career.”

The Bears’ offense saw a dramatic turnaround under Johnson following one of the franchise’s worst seasons in 2024. The offense soared from 32nd in total yards in 2024 (283.5 yards) to sixth in 2025 (369.5 yards). This marked the first time an NFL team made such a leap in a single season since the New York Jets in 1971.

Chicago also scored 441 points during the 2025 season, the third-highest total in franchise history. The team also had 127 explosive plays, the second-most in the NFL.

With the 2026 season on the horizon, the Bears remain focused on elevating the offense to even greater heights. With Johnson and Williams returning, Chicago has a chance to build on one of their most promising campaigns in recent franchise history.

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The Chicago Cubs have gotten off to a slower start than they had hoped, but there have been some impressive showings. One pitcher made his team debut earlier this week and impressed. Let’s take a closer look at who it was and what it means for the Cubs going forward.

Edward Cabrera’s Chicago Cubs debut was impressive

The Cubs had some solid performances, but starter Edward Cabrera was highlighted for his debut. MLB’s Brent Maguire wrote about some of the top pitching performances. He would mention Cabrera’s excellent debut against the Los Angeles Angels, where he pitched five shutout innings and allowed one hit, one walk, and five strikeouts. Below is what Maguire wrote about Cabrera’s debut:

“The Cubs sent three prospects, including Owen Caissie, to the Marlins over the offseason to acquire Cabrera, fully believing there was another level for the talented right-hander. So far, that inclination looks wise, after Cabrera one-hit the Angels in six innings in his Cubs debut, striking out five batters and only issuing one walk. Cabrera’s usual electric stuff was on display, leading to 15 whiffs on 40 swings, but just as notable (if not more) was the one walk and 61.3 percent strike rate. After running a career-low 8.3 percent walk rate last season (he had never been below 10 percent in a season), another drop in walks could propel Cabrera to another level.”

Cabrera is expected to slot into the middle of Chicago’s pitching rotation and showcase his talents. He was also labeled as the biggest takeaway from the team in the early stages of the season. His pitches had a tick down from where they averaged last season, but that could simply be going from pitching in Miami to outside in Chicago. Cabrera’s changeup forced hitters to go 0 for 8 with three strikeouts in his Cubs debut. It will be intriguing to see if he can continue pitching well as the season goes along.

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The Chicago White Sox have a young team that is going to grow together as the years go on. As they are attempting to figure out ways to win games, the roster may change a bit. This offseason saw the White Sox trade center fielder Luis Robert Jr to the New York Mets, but the trade could’ve looked a lot different. Let’s take a closer look at what the potential trade could have been.

The Chicago White Sox tried to trade for Brett Baty

New York Post’s Jon Heyman wrote an article discussing the eventual trade between the White Sox and Mets this offseason. The deal saw Chicago send Luis Robert Jr to New York for Luisangel Acuna and prospect Truman Pauley. However, things could’ve turned out differently as Heyman details.

“The White Sox understandably tried in talks for the emerging Brett Baty, who looked back then like he might be the odd man out in Queens. But the Mets quickly rebuffed that. Figuring a diminishing role for Mark Vientos, the Mets offered Vientos before renewing their deadline proposal. The South Siders preferred [Luisangel] Acuna to Vientos since they weren’t looking for a hit-first righty batter.”

The team’s current roster has seven right-handed hitters with one switch hitter. It also appears that general manager Chris Getz would rather have Acuna and Miguel Vargas on the team rather than Vientos and a different center fielder. Baty would have been an intriguing addition to Chicago’s lineup as he is a career .665 OPS hitter. However, he has shown signs of improvement and the former first-round pick is under contract until 2030.

It seems the White Sox are happy with the return they got as Acuna is currently the everyday center fielder for the team, replacing Robert. It will be intriguing to see if this showcases what Getz will want to do with the roster going further into the season.

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The Chicago Sky are in a position where things could be looking a lot different when they are on the clock in the 2026 WNBA Draft. They hold the fifth pick in this year’s draft, so they can add an immediate impactful player for the roster. They have some spots filled despite the upcoming massive free agent class. Let’s take a look at who one outlet has the Sky selecting and why it makes sense.

The Chicago Sky select Flau’jae Johnson in the Sporting News’ latest mock draft

David Suggs of Sporting News wrote a mock draft that had the Sky selecting LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson with the fifth overall pick. Below is what Suggs said about this pick:

“Angel Reese’s progreesion as a passer was a godsend for the Sky, who boasted perhaps women’s basketball’s worst backcourt in 2025. The Sky will get reinforcements in the form of Hohnson, Reese’s old college teammate. Johnson is a dogged defender who will inject much-needed athleticism into a Chicago side bereft of it. Her stock dipped slightly in her senior season. But Johnson remains an alluring prospect. She should be able to feed Reese and Kamilla Cardoso with a healthy portion of entry passes in 2026 and beyond.”

Johnson played 141 games (139 starts) with the LSU Tigers over the course of four years. She averaged 14.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 29.2 minutes per game. Pairing Johnson with one of her former teammate in Angel Reese would be a massive positive. Johnson’s ability to improve her 3-point shooting each season while being a tough defender makes her an easy selection.

Chicago does not need frontcourt members with Reese and Cordoso still under contract. This isn’t the only time Johnson has been mocked to Chicago either. With a bevy of free agents being available, this would be a good trio to build around and be a core of the Sky roster.

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The Chicago Cubs entered the 2026 MLB season as the betting favorite to win the NL Central, and it wasn’t particularly close. Near even odds on most sportsbooks, the Cubs stood out as clear favorites in a weak division that saw two teams trade away key players in the offseason and two more who did little to improve.

It can be nerve-wracking to depend on your offseason eye test, projections or Spring Training stats to place a bet on a team’s projected win total before Opening Day. But now that the first week of the regular season has come and gone, let’s dig into the oddsboard and consider: Are the Chicago Cubs a lock to win the NL Central in 2026?

The biggest reason to like the Cubs has less to do with their own roster and more to do with the landscape around them. The NL Central projects as one of the thinnest divisions in baseball, leaving the Cubs with +120 odds to take the division on most sportsbooks. Browse this list of sportsbooks available in Illinois and you’ll find an array of betting apps that offer MLB futures markets, including NL Central betting odds — and they all come with a generous welcome offer if you haven’t yet signed up with the platform.

Can the Chicago Cubs win the NL Central?

In evaluating the Cubs’ chances to win the division, it’s important to first size up their competition. Let’s start with the Pittsburgh Pirates. On paper, they arguably boast the most exciting rotation in the division, headlined not just by Paul Skenes, but other talented young arms like Bubba Chandler and Mitch Keller. However, that strength is offset by a glaring weakness: defense. Pittsburgh failed to adequately address its fielding issues, eschewing gloves for better bats, which will prove to be a major concern over a 162-game season. Poor defense doesn’t just cost runs — it undermines pitching strengths, inflates pitch counts, and turns winnable games into losses. Even with elite arms, that imbalance makes it difficult to trust the Pirates as a consistent division winner.

The St. Louis Cardinals, historically a steady presence atop the Central, appear to be taking a step back. After trading away several of their best players, including Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras and Sonny Gray, this roster looks more like one in transition than one built to contend. While St. Louis rarely stays down for long, it’s difficult to make a case for them as a serious threat in 2026 given the talent they’ve shipped out and the uncertainty surrounding young players like Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman.

Milwaukee, another recent division staple, also took a noticeable step backward. The departures of Freddy Peralta and Caleb Durbin weaken both their pitching depth and overall roster balance. The Brewers have long relied on maximizing value through development and bullpen usage, but losing a frontline arm like Peralta is not easily overcome. Without a clear upgrade elsewhere, Milwaukee looks more vulnerable than in recent seasons. Yes, we say this every year about the Brewers — but manager Pat Murphy can only work so much magic.

Then there’s Cincinnati, a team that showed flashes in their 2025 playoff run but ultimately made minimal changes in the offseason. The Reds are essentially running it back with the same core that fell short last year, with the exception of Eugenio Suarez, a Reds mainstay from 2015-2021. While continuity can be valuable, it’s less encouraging when the baseline wasn’t good enough to begin with. Unless young players like Sal Stewart and Matt McLain take unexpected leaps, Cincinnati looks more like a .500 team than a true division contender.

Against that backdrop, the Cubs don’t need to be elite — they just need to be better than average. And there’s plenty of reason to believe they can clear that bar.

Chicago made one of the splashier moves of the offseason by adding Alex Bregman. Even if he’s no longer at his absolute peak, Bregman brings a combination of plate discipline, power, and postseason experience that elevates the lineup. He lengthens the order and gives the Cubs a reliable bat in high-leverage situations, something they’ve lacked at times in recent years.

The addition of starting pitcher Edward Cabrera is another intriguing move. Cabrera has shown flashes of top-of-the-rotation stuff, with a high-velocity fastball and swing-and-miss secondary pitches. While consistency has been an issue, a change of scenery could unlock another level. If the Cubs can stabilize his command even slightly, he has the upside to become one of the more impactful arms in the division.

Of course, it wasn’t all positive for Chicago this offseason. Losing Kyle Tucker creates a noticeable hole in the lineup, particularly in terms of left-handed power and overall offensive production. Tucker’s departure raises legitimate questions about run generation, especially against high-end pitching. However, in a division in which few teams project to have dominant rotations, the impact of that loss may be somewhat mitigated.

Ultimately, betting on the Cubs at +120 comes down to a simple calculation: stability versus uncertainty. Chicago has improved in key areas and maintained a competitive core, while their divisional rivals have either regressed, failed to improve, or introduced significant risk factors.

In a stronger division, the Cubs might look like a fringe contender. In the 2026 NL Central, they look like the safest bet. And at +120, the pick may not be dripping with value — but we’ll take a favorite at plus odds any day.

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Round of 32 Schedule – 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Home teams listed first; visit the ***schedule section*** of ***ussoccer.com/us-open-cup*** for the most up to date listings and links to streaming broadcasts on Paramount+

Tuesday, April 14 (all times CT)

New England Revolution vs. Rhode Island FC – 6 p.m. (Paramount+)

Louisville City FC vs. Austin FC – 6 p.m. (CBS Sports Network/Paramount+)

Detroit City FC vs. Chicago Fire FC – 6:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Golazo Network/Paramount+)

Westchester SC vs. New York City FC – 6:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC vs. Sporting Kansas City – 7 p.m. (Paramount+)

Colorado Rapids vs. Union Omaha – 8:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network/Paramount+)

Sacramento Republic FC vs. Minnesota United FC – 9 p.m. (CBS Sports Golazo Network Paramount+)

Wednesday, April 15 (all times CT)

FC Naples vs. Orlando City SC – 6 p.m. (CBS Sports Network/Paramount+)

Chattanooga FC vs. Atlanta United FC – 6:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

Richmond Kickers vs. Columbus Crew – 6:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

Red Bull New York vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – 6:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

Charlotte FC vs. Charlotte Independence – 6:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

D.C. United vs. One Knoxville SC – 6:30 p.m. (Paramount+)

St. Louis CITY SC vs. FC Tulsa – 7 p.m. (Paramount+)

Houston Dynamo FC vs. El Paso Locomotive FC – 7 p.m. (Paramount+)

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Phoenix Rising FC – 9 p.m. (CBS Sports Golazo Network Paramount+)

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The Chicago Bulls are looking to improve during the offseason, and shaking up the roster may be the way to go. They are going to be in the lottery for the draft, so they can make some improvements there. However, being able to free up some cap space will be critical to making some free agent moves. There is one player who could be moved, so let’s tkae a closer look at who one outlet believes it will be.

Bleacher Report believes the Chicago Bulls will move on from Patrick Williams

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report wrote an article listing one player from each NBA team that will most likely hit the trade block next. For the Bulls, he selected Patrick Williams. Below is what he wrote:

“The Chicago Bulls will almost certainly make Patrick Williams available this offseason.Whether or not another team actually makes an offer for the former No. 4 overall pick is a different story. Still somehow only 24 years old despite playing in his sixth season, Williams has been used almost exclusively as a reserve. His shooting numbers have plummeted (37.4 percent overall from the field) and there’s been no real growth in any are of Williams’ game.

“The three years and $54 million remaining on his contract is going to be tough to get rid of for Chicago, although it’s time both parties go their separate ways.”

Williams has not been living up to the hype throughout his career. He is averaging 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.8 steals across 341 games. However, it appears that a change of scenery would be best for both the Bulls and Williams. With the big contract, Chicago will likely need to take back a big contract or give away a pick in a move. It will be intriguing to see if Williams is moved during the offseason.

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The Chicago White Sox have had a bit of a bumpy road to begin the regular season. After being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers to begin the season, they secured a 9-4 win on Monday in the series-opening game against the Miami Marlins. One outlet released their Week 1 power rankings, so let’s take a look at where the White Sox wound up.

The Athletic’s power rankings have the Chicago White Sox ranked 29th after Week 1

The Athletic’s power rankings include a vote from their selection committee to decide how the order would be. For Chicago, they dropped one spot from the preseason record to 29th. Levi Weaver wrote the section for the team and explained poetically that the team will do better on the mound.

“Could the White Sox finish the season with a half-dozen pithcers wearing double-digit ERAs? I dunno, sure. Why not. The reason it’s meaningless is because – as the White Sox have so frequently reminded their fans in recent years – we are on an infinitesimally small rock, floating through some distant corner of a universe that we have barely begun to understnad. We grow wiser as we grow more fragile, but, compared to the age of rocks and oceans, we no sooner begin our time on this planet than we are whisked away into the arms of a mystery.

“What does any of it even mean? How can we do anything at all but hold each other, look around in bewilderment at the whole construct, and thank our fellow man for being here to see it with us? So no, you can’t make me care about the ERAs of White Sox pitchers.”

Below are the bottom five teams on The Athletic’s power rankings, with the average rankings included:

• Minnesota Twins (25.0)
• Los Angeles Angels (27.3)
• Washington Nationals (27.3)
• Chicago White Sox (27.8)
• Colorado Rockies (30.0)

The White Sox have two more games in Miami against the Marlins before heading up north for a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. It will be interesting to see how they do and if they can climb up next week’s rankings.

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The 2025-26 NBA regular season is wrapping up in a few weeks and as expected, the Oklahoma City Thunder are again the favorites to win it all this year. If they do make a run, it will be on the back of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The star guard is averaging 31.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game this season. He’s the front runner for the MVP award once again this year and has emerged as one of the best players in the league. But one NBA writer is taking it to a high level in terms of praise for the reining MVP and he is comparing him to the all-time GOAT.

Zach Lowe has Michael Jordan comparison for SGA

During a recent segment on “The Zach Lowe Show”, NBA writer Zach Lowe praised SGA and his ability to dominate games. He noted just how consistent he is in terms of the level of efficiency. Lowe made the case as to why SGA is his MVP.

From there, he brought up Jordan.

“I think Shai is the MVP. I don’t even care if the Spurs pass the Thunder,” Lowe said. ” … I think Shai, first of all—again, boring—he’s played 400 more minutes than Wembanyama. That’s a lot of minutes, and he’s doing that without playing fourth quarters in like 20 games because they’re ahead by so many. They both elevate their teams—Wembanyama’s on-off is from neutral to incredible, Shai’s on-off is from pretty good to incredible. The incredible part matters more to me than where the off-court number is. It’s like, are you elevating your team to, ‘Holy sh**, this is a machine’? That’s Shai.

“Clutch numbers are outrageous, and this is Jordan, but in the modern era. That’s how good he is offensively, and I just think you put all that together, he’s the MVP for me.”

There’s no doubt SGA is playing at a high level again this year. He’s aiming to be the first player to win MVP in consecutive seasons since Nikola Jokic in 2021 and 2022.

But Lowe’s words didn’t sit well with everyone.

Lowe is crazy overrated

— Floydian Slip (@OliveOil6000) April 1, 2026

this era is weak compared to 80's and 90's. You can not compare player's. People are dumb

— Nmad (@NolanMader7571) April 1, 2026

It’s tough to compare eras because they are so different. But it’s certainly a big compliment for SGA to be compared to the GOAT.

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The Chicago Bears entered the 2025 season with questions about how new head coach Ben Johnson would get the ball to all of his playmakers.

More News: Bears owner ‘livid’ with CEO Kevin Warren over stadium

With DJ Moore, Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze at wide receiver and tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland available for quarterback Caleb Williams, there was only so many targets Johnson could get to his receivers every game.

Before the trade deadline, the Bears were receiving interest for Moore.

During an appearance on ESPN at the league’s annual meeting in Phoenix, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said he called about Moore to help quarterback Josh Allen in the second half of the season.

The Bears weren’t ready to part with Moore. However, Chicago changed its mind before the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, in February.

“(Moore) was one of the guys that we called and checked,” Beane said. “And Chicago shut it down. They were trying to make a run.

“But I think they at least knew there was interest, and they reached back out when we got to Indy (for the NFL combine) and said, ‘Hey, you know, maybe we’d be open if something made sense.’ And we (were) fortunate to be able to figure that out.”

Moore made an impact for the Bears after the trade deadline, catching key touchdown passes in their two wins over the Green Bay Packers, including in the wild-card game. He also left Chicago on a sour note, appearing to give up on a route that turned into an interception in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.

Chicago Bears choice to trade DJ Moore wasn’t easy

More News: Bears just gave Ben Johnson a gift before 2026 NFL Draft

Earlier this week, Johnson told reporters that he was emotional when the Bears chose to trade Moore this offseason.

“I got a little emotional when the trade happened,” Johnson said, via Dan Wiederer of The Athletic. “He came in and he made his rounds saying goodbye to the coaches and Ryan (Poles) and his crew. It hurts because I viewed him as one of the leaders. Yet the business is the business.

“We had to make some decisions in terms of salary cap and things of that nature.”

Johnson noted that Moore is going to a good situation, reuniting with Joe Brady, the new head coach of the Bills.

The post Chicago Bears changed their mind on star wide receiver appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Prior to the start of the 2026 MLB regular season, the Chicago Cubs made one thing clear to their fans and the rest of Major League Baseball: they expect to win the division. The Milwaukee Brewers, who knocked the Cubs out of the postseason last year, have won the National League Central Division in each of the past three years. This year, the Cubs expect to end up on top.

What is more, Chicago wants to compete for, and win, the World Series, which they have not won since 2016. As such, they went about the winter piecing together a roster that many feel is one of the best in the Majors. At least on paper.

However, that high-powered and carefully constructed roster started the year 3-3.

MLB analyst wonders if the Chicago Cubs can remain consistent

Obviously, six games are far from a clear picture of what will be a 162-game season. That being said, while divisions cannot be won in March or April, they can certainly be lost. If the Cubs find themselves a game or two behind the Brewers (or another NL Central team) heading into the final week of the year, many will point to this lackluster start.

Derek Antoine of Yahoo Sports fears that Chicago’s inconsistency to start the year may end up biting them:

“The Cubs have already shown the early warning signs that kill seasons—they can be productive, but not reliably punishing. They can survive cold nights at Wrigley. They can survive one shutout. What they can’t survive is a lineup that only scores when everything lines up perfectly.

“And what happens when they start facing real pitching depth every series? Because the competition hasn’t necessarily been stellar.

“So the question is simple, and I won’t be polite about it. Do the Cubs have enough lineup length to win games when they aren’t hitting nukes? Or are they about to spend April proving that the offense is all paper?”

These are all questions that many had about the Cubs roster going into the season. Undoubtedly, when they are clicking on all cylinders, they are nearly impossible to beat.

But, as Antoine asks, what is going to happen when things are not clicking? Chicago needs to figure out how to overcome these challenges if they are going to compete for the division, much less a World Series title.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Matthew Boyd responds in strong outing in Cubs win
• Moving on from Seiya Suzuki may be Cubs’ plan A
• Craig Counsell announces exciting timeline for Seiya Suzuki return

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago Cubs are 3-3 through the first six games of the 2026 MLB regular season. While there have been frustrating moments early, it is easy to see the potential this team has to be among the best in baseball. With a talented roster with multiple high-quality players, it will not be long before the Cubs start climbing back up the standings.

Despite the fact that the season is only a week old, some are starting to wonder what players from around baseball will end up representing their teams in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. Undoubtedly, the Cubs have multiple players that could play in the Mid-Summer Classic, but Bleacher Report predicts only three of them will.

Bleacher Report predicts Alex Bregman and Daniel Palencia will join Pete Crow-Armstrong on the NL All-Star roster

In Bleacher Report‘s first All-Star roster projection since the start of the season, they predicted that Chicago will be sending three players to the game. They predict that Alex Bregman will be voted in as the NL starting third baseman. They also named Pete Crow-Armstrong an All-Star reserve, and Daniel Palenica as one of the pitchers.

Bregman was an All-Star for the third time in his career last year while playing for the Boston Red Sox. This year, through six games, he is hitting .208/.321/.458 with two home runs and three RBI. However, he was walked (four times) more than he has struck out (twice).

Crow-Armstrong made his first career All-Star team last year. So far this season, he is hitting .261/.320/.261 with three RBI.

Palecia has never been named to an All-Star team in his career. In two appearances this season, he has to record a run. He may have made a name for himself among those choosing All-Star pitchers, though, with all well he pitched in the World Baseball Classic.

More Chicago Cubs news from ChiCity Sports

• Matthew Boyd responds in strong outing in Cubs win
• Moving on from Seiya Suzuki may be Cubs’ plan A
• Craig Counsell announces exciting timeline for Seiya Suzuki return

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have some outstanding players entering the 2026 NFL Draft. While some names are getting a lot of attention, there are others who are going under the radar. One player fits like a glove with the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Let’s take a look at who one outlet believes it to be and why they feel that way.

Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price is listed as a perfect fit for the Seattle Seahawks

The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman wrote an article discussing fits for NFL draftees and teams. One of the players who was highlighted was Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, fitting him with the Seattle Seahawks. Below is what Baumgardner wrote about the fit:

“Notre Dame’s other outstanding running back, Price, had no problem shining through Jeremiyah Love’s enormous shadow. Despite being a clear No. 2 RB in college (to arguably the best player in this draft), Price has the goods to grow into a lead NFL back — possibly sooner than later.

“Price’s first step and ability to sink before exploding into a cut make him a terror in the box and off the edge. He’s an explosive kick returner who isn’t afraid to run people over. With the loss of Kenneth Walker III, and with Zach Charbonnet rehabbing from winter ACL surgery, Seattle is in the market for a difference-making back. (Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson, Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne, Washington’s Jonah Coleman or Arkansas’ Mike Washington Jr. are other names to watch.)

“Price is the best of the bunch behind Love, and he should be ready to compete for starting carries quickly. Price absolutely could be available for Seattle at No. 62 and could even be worth a slight trade-up, if need be.”

Price was the RB2 for the Fighting Irish. In 41 games across three seasons, he had 280 rushing attempts for 1,692 yards (6.0 yards per carry) with 21 rushing touchdowns and 15 receptions for 162 yards (10.8 yards per catch) with three receiving touchdowns. For Seattle, they need to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III’s production. With the offense having top wide receiver options with Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Rashid Shaheed, they can use a running back like Price to be a weapon out of the backfield.

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The Chicago Cubs had been eyeballing right-handed power pitcher Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins for the better part of two years, starting from the end of the 2024 season. They finally pulled the trigger on the trade to bring him over this past offseason.

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Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer paid a hefty price for the emerging 27-year-old starter. To bring Cabrera aboard, they had to send over their top prospect OF Owen Caissie, their no. 11 prospect INF Cristian Hernandez, and 19-year-old talent INF Edgardo De Leon.

Both the Cubs and the Marlins walked away from the deal happy. So far, each side has every reason to feel like they came out ahead.

Cabrera and Caissie shining so far

More News: Chicago Cubs: Moving on from Seiya Suzuki may be the team’s Plan A

In Cabrera’s first start with his new team, he blew the Los Angeles Angels away with a masterful showing. On the day, he tossed 6 shutout innings, striking out 5 while giving up only one hit and one walk in a 7-2 win.

The Marlins also have to be pleased with their new outfielder’s season so far, as he’s helped carry them to a very early first place spot atop the NL East. The 23-year-old outfielder has driven in 8 runs so far, with a walk-off home run and an impressive .350 batting average.

The success of both principal players in the Cubs-Marlins swap has created an odd point of debate when it comes to which team actually “won” the trade.

A trade that was both smart and dumb?

Michael Brauner of SI.com encapsulates this perfectly in a recent piece regarding the Cubs dumbest and smartest moves of the offseason—including the trading FOR Cabrera as a smart one and the trading OF Caissie as a dumb one.

Per Brauner:

“Cabrera came in on Monday night and did exactly what he was brought in to do: generate a ton of swing and miss. The right-hander carved up the Los Angeles Angels lineup with six scoreless innings, striking out five and walking one while allowing just one hit.

Cabrera may just wind up as the ace of this staff, and if he keeps looking how he did on Monday night, he very well could be an All-Star as well.

He still has a ton to prove, but it was as strong a beginning to his time with the team as one could possibly hope for.”

Also, per Brauner:

“The way Chicago’s former top prospect has started with the Miami Marlins, it makes fans wish Hoyer had found a way to get Cabrera without sacrificing Caissie.

The 23-year-old has slashed .385/.429/.769 so far this year (.350/.391/.600 currently, as of April 2) coming off a huge showing in the World Baseball Classic and even hit a walk-off home run for Miami the other night. The Cubs needed pitching, but seeing Caissie have a huge rookie season would be a tough pill to swallow.”

There’s no doubt that Cabrera and Caissie will always be connected from this point forward with both team’s fan bases and the value of the trade judged by each player’s performance. But this very well could go down as one of those deals where both sides come out a winner.

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