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Chicago Cubs add yet another reliever in Mychal GivensRyan Sikeson March 18, 2022 at 8:00 pm

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

When Chicago Cubs President of Baseball of Operations Jed Hoyer said the organization plans on adding pitching and pitching depth, he wasn’t kidding. The organization added yet another bullpen arm in right-hander Mychal Givens on Thursday.

Givens was split between Colorado and Cincinnati last season, posting very good numbers with the Rockies before being traded. The 31-year-old spun a 2.73 ERA with a 10.3 K/9 in 29.2 innings of work while primarily pitching in the seventh and eighth innings. His numbers weren’t as good with the Reds.

Givens is one of the more notable signings the Cubs have had this offseason, given (no pun intended) he has closing experience. The northsiders lacked a back end of the bullpen kind of guy, and Givens has some experience in that department. He collected eight saves with the Reds last year, and a career-best 11 saves back in 2019 when he was with the Baltimore Orioles.

Per Statcast, Givens is a pitcher who induces a lot of weak contact, sitting in the 96th percentile for average exit velocity and 98th percentile for hard-hit rate. He’s also in the 96th percentile for fastball spin rate.

Cubs in agreement with reliever Mychal Givens, per source. 1-year deal worth $5 mil. Bonuses could get him to $6.25 mil. Was with Colorado and Cin last year.

Has closing experience. Could end up in the 9th inning. They need someone for that role.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) March 17, 2022

With the addition of Mychal Givens, the Chicago Cubs bullpen is suddenly crowded.

The Cubs have been active since the lockout ended inking deals with pitchers Chris Martin, Steven Brault, Daniel Norris, David Robertson, and Jesse Chavez. Even with the injuries to Adbert Alzolay, Brad Wieck, and Codi Heuer, not all players recently signed are going to have a spot on this roster.

Alzolay is expected to miss the first couple of months with a lat strain, so his return could create another logjam further into the season.

Brault, Norris, and Robertson look like reclamation projects. Despite an injury-plagued 2021, Brault posted a 5.86 ERA in seven starts. It’ll be interesting to see if the Cubs want to get a look at him from the rotation or if a bullpen role is his preferred job at this point in his career.

Robertson hasn’t pitched more than 12.0 innings since the 2018 season, with a Grade 1 flexor strain and Tommy John surgery limiting him to just 6.2 innings in 2019 while missing all of the 2020 season as well.

Last year with the Rays, Robertson pitched 12.0 innings, striking out 16 batters with only four walks, so perhaps he can be a hidden gem.

But Mychal Givens should give the Cubs a legitimate weapon out of the bullpen. It’s not a flashy move by any means, but it’s one that needed to be made.

Related Story:Cubs bolster middle infield with Jonathan Villar signing

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Chicago Cubs add yet another reliever in Mychal GivensRyan Sikeson March 18, 2022 at 8:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears lose out on 1 key free agent defensive lineman, add 2 moreRyan Heckmanon March 18, 2022 at 8:36 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Rob Leiter/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears started out their free agency period by signing veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi from the Cincinnati Bengals, but after a failed physical, the deal fell apart.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles rebounded quickly, though, in order to fill in his defensive line.

On Friday, Poles agreed to terms with a pair of starters along the defensive line. First, the Bears signed former Los Angeles Chargers defensive lineman Justin Jones. A little later, Chicago agreed with former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Al-Quadin Muhammad.

Although it stung having to hear the news of Ogunjobi’s failed physical, the Bears now have a pair of starters up front just a few hours after letting their initial signing go.

Justin Jones and Al-Quadin Muhammad will step right into key roles for the Chicago Bears defense.

Last season, Jones started 11 games for the Chargers. In fact, he was a starter for the past three seasons in Los Angeles. However, he hasn’t played a full season within that span due to injury struggles.

When healthy, Jones is more of a run-stuffing lineman than he is a pass rusher. He’ll step into a starting role for the Bears, who lost Eddie Goldman after releasing him earlier in the offseason.

The one that Bears fans should be most excited about, though, is Muhammad. Obviously, he has a connection with new Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and played a crucial role for that defense last year.

The Bears were set to have Robert Quinn and Khalil Mack starting at the defensive end position, but after the team traded Mack, it left a big void. Some assumed that maybe Trevis Gipson could assume that role, but after the Muhammad signing, it’s clear Gipson will continue to be a depth piece.

Muhammad had 6.0 sacks last year for the Colts in a breakout year. At just 26 years old, Muhammad feels a lot like when the Bears signed Akiem Hicks years ago. Muhammad was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the sixth round back in 2017, then played four seasons for the Colts. Now, he gets a 2-year deal worth $10 million in Chicago.

Muhammad has a real chance to become a long-term piece for the Bears, assuming he continues his career ascension. By the end of his deal, he’ll still be just 28 years old and ready for another cash-in.

Back to Jones, who is a former third-round pick back in 2018 by the Los Angeles Chargers. Jones is only 25 years old, with plenty of time to prove his injury history is indeed history. Like Muhammad, Jones gets a 2-year deal with the Bears.

Both of these guys are young players who are coming off career years in terms of overall production. They’re cheaper deals, but that doesn’t mean they’re insignificant. Poles did well by signing these two, especially in the wake of Ogunjobi having to depart.

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Chicago Bears lose out on 1 key free agent defensive lineman, add 2 moreRyan Heckmanon March 18, 2022 at 8:36 pm Read More »

The Chicago Blackhawks land a huge return for Brandon HagelVincent Pariseon March 18, 2022 at 7:05 pm

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The rebuild is on for the Chicago Blackhawks. Kyle Davidson was hired to be the new full-time general manager of the team and now he is making big moves. It isn’t fun to see your favorite team be sellers at the trade deadline but it is fun to see them do what they need to do to succeed.

They have traded Brandon Hagel to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay is a team that has aspirations of winning their third Stanley Cup in three years so they don’t mind giving up future assets for players that will help them right now.

The Blackhawks sent Hagel to Tampa Bay in exchange for a 2022 4th round pick and a 2024 4th round pick. In return, they are getting a first-round pick in 2023, a first-round pick in 2024, Boris Katchouk, and Taylor Raddysh.

The @TBLightning and @NHLBlackhawks Trade:

Hagel
4th round ’22
4th round ’24

Katchouk
Raddysh
1st round ’23
1st round ’24

— House of Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) March 18, 2022

Raddysh & Katchouk are the two Lightning players

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 18, 2022

The Chicago Blackhawks did well in the Brandon Hagel trade with the TBL.

This is a phenomenal trade for the Chicago Blackhawks. They are getting an extra first-round pick in 2023 which is phenomenal. You never know how good Tampa Bay is going to be next year and that draft is as deep as any draft in the last few years. The extra first in 2024 makes it even better.

Borris Katchouk is a very interesting player. His offense hasn’t reached new heights in the NHL yet but he has only played in 38 games. He also doesn’t even average 10 minutes of ice with Tampa because they are so deep.

It should be noted that his CorsiFor is 52.9 percent which is outstanding. When he is on the ice, good things happen for his team, even if he isn’t the one scoring goals just yet.

Taylor Raddysh is also a young forward that needs a chance in the NHL. He is a little bit more offensively productive than Katchuok right now but anything can happen with these guys over the next few years. Adding them to the mix is certainly going to help the team build towards the future.

Tampa Bay is also doing well in this trade. They are, as mentioned before, trying to win the Stanley Cup for the third time in as many years. They created a third line via trades going into the 2020-21 postseason and it worked out well for them.

Now that all of those players are gone, they are trying to do it again and Hagel is perfect in that role. He will play with some really good players there and he won’t be relied on to score almost every night as he has been in Chicago.

Hagel was outstanding for Chicago. He deserves credit for going from a guy that flipped back and forth from the NHL to the AHL to a guy that fetched the Hawks’ two first-round picks. He will succeed in Tampa. Chicago should also be happy with their return and it looks like Kyle Davidson has a plan. Hopefully, this is the first step towards regained success.

Related Story:Patrick Kane would be so good on the New York Rangers

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The Chicago Blackhawks land a huge return for Brandon HagelVincent Pariseon March 18, 2022 at 7:05 pm Read More »

Fantasy basketball streamers and NBA betting cheat sheet for Fridayon March 18, 2022 at 5:59 pm

1:00 PM ET

The ESPN fantasy and betting cheat sheet is your pregame destination for our best intel and data to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.

Jump ahead: Game of the night | Picks and props | Analytics edge

By Jim McCormick and Kyle Soppe

Value Valley: The Suns won’t have Cameron Johnson or Chris Paul in the lineup against Chicago. Cameron Payne (60% available) has struggled with his shot in recent games, but has sustained elite passing production (10 APG over the last three). Jae Crowder missed the team’s recent game with a groin injury and is listed as questionable for Friday. If Crowder can’t go, Torrey Craig (99%) notably played 34 minutes and posted 21 points and 17 combined rebounds and dimes against Houston this past Wednesday.

The Double O: Onyeka Okongwu is available in over 96% of ESPN leagues, something that is surprising given the uncertainty of John Collins. Okongwu has scored at least 12 points in the three games Collins has missed recently, shooting 67% from the field and grabbing at least five boards in each of those contests. Those are numbers that deserve a bit more run (21 minutes per game) and in a pace up spot against the fastest team in the NBA, he’s a viable big tonight and down the stretch.

The Double B: Bruce Brown (81% available) isn’t a perfect player, but given his production at home and the Nets’ remaining schedule, he’s worth a look. In all three home games this month, he’s given you at least 27 points + assists + plus + rebounds and more importantly, he’s playing nearly 38 minutes a night. Brown draws the third least efficient defense in the NBA tonight and is worth a look in all formats.

2 Related

Blazing in Brooklyn: The Nets host the Trail Blazers tonight in a game that features several strong streaming and DFS plays. We’ve talked up Portland’s rotation lately given just how much production is coming from widely-available options such as Josh Hart (96%),and the frontcourt tandem of Drew Eubanks (96%) and Trendon Watford (84%). Even guard Brandon Williams (96%) has averaged 35 MPG during the last week. Beyond Brown’s aforementioned value for Brooklyn, Goran Dragic (95% available) takes over playmaking duties when Kyrie Irving is unavailable. Andre Drummond (51%) could feast on the glass against Portland’s undersized roster, while Nic Claxton (96%) is a nice candidate for combined points and rebounds.

Headband Man: Jordan Clarkson (44% available) is going to score some points tonight. Utah won’t have Donovan Mitchell or Bojan Bogdanovic in the lineup against the Clippers. Clarkson has games of 26 and 45 points in his past three outings and has lofted 12.3 3-pointers per 36 minutes with Mitchell and Bogdanovic off the floor this season (five more than any other Jazz player). It’s an ideal setup for a scoring guard who claims a unique brand of confidence.

Star Watch: Ja Morant missed the Grizzlies’ game on Tuesday and is questionable for tonight’s tilt against the Hawks. If Morant misses the game, Tyus Jones (96% available) is fresh from posting 10 dimes against Indiana. Atlanta’s Trae Young is also questionable with a quad injury. Young’s absence would make Bogdan Bogdanovic (27%) a must-start option. Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox is questionable with hand injury that limited him in the Kings’ last game. This potentially sets up Davion Mitchell (95% available) as a key playmaker.

Game of the Night

Line: Suns (-6)
Moneyline: Suns (-270), Bulls (+220)
Total: 230 points
BPI Projected Total: 221.5 points
BPI Win%: Suns (76.2%)

Key players ruled out: Cameron Johnson

Questionable: Jae Crowder (groin),

Notable: After covering three straight ATS (and six of seven), the Bulls have dropped eight of their past nine against the spread.

Best bet: DeMar DeRozan over 4.5 assists. DeRozan has followed up his awesome scoring stretch from earlier in the season by becoming more of a distributor of late. DeRozan has averaged 6.3 APG over the past seven games, and has gone over 4.5 assists in six them. — Andre Snellings

Breaking down the rest of the slate

Line: 76ers (-4.5)
Moneyline: 76ers (-136), Mavericks (+114)
Total: 221.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 220 points
BPI Win%: 76ers (59.3%)

Key players ruled out: none

Questionable: Joel Embiid(back)

Notable: Overs are 8-3-1 in Philadelphia’s past 12 games (Wednesday’s win over the Cavs went 12 points over Vegas’ projection).

Fantasy Streamer: Dorian Finney-Smith (75% available). The Mavs will be without Reggie Bullock again tonight, which positions Finney-Smith as a streamer. He has averaged 15.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG over the past eight games and has been a great contributor to the team. — Eric Moody

Best bet: Tobias Harris over 15.5 points. Harris had a slow start to the James Harden era in Philadelphia (11.8 PPG, 39.1 FG% in first six games post ASB) but has settled in and picked up steam of late, averaging 17.8 PPG on 54.0 FG% in his last four games. If Embiid sits or is limited, Harris could have an even larger scoring role than usual. — Snellings

Line: Knicks (-5)
Moneyline: Knicks (-210), Wizards (+175)
Total: 223.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 222 points
BPI Win%: Knicks (68.7%)

Key players ruled out: Nerlens Noel

Notable: After failing to cover six straight games, the Knicks have now covered seven in-a-row (they are 4-3 outright in those seven games).

Line: Raptors (-9)
Moneyline: Raptors (-400), Lakers (+310)
Total: 224.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 221 points
BPI Win%: Raptors (77.7%)

Key players ruled out: none

Questionable: Talen Horton-Tucker

Notable: In their quest to get out of the play-in tournament, the Raptors have covered each of their past five games (three coming when they were favored).

Best bet: Scottie Barnes over 28.5 points+ assists + rebounds. Barnes has been very productive over the past six games for the Raptors. He’s averaged 19.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 4.0 APG in 38.7 MPG in that span and is well-positioned for a monster game against a Lakers team ranked 17th in points allowed per 100 possessions. — Moody

Best bet: Raptors -9 over Lakers. The Lakers have lost three straight games and five of their last six, including an 11-point loss to the Raptors in Los Angeles just four days ago. They’ve lost their last three by a total of 60 points. Meanwhile, the Raptors won the last five games of their road trip and have played like a different team since Fred VanVleet returned from injury. — Snellings

Line: Grizzlies (-3.5)
Moneyline: Grizzlies (-205), Hawks (+170)
Total: 235.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 225 points
BPI Win%: Grizzlies (57.2%)

Key players ruled out: John Collins

Questionable: Ja Morant (back), Trae Young (quad bruise), Danilo Gallinari (biceps)

Notable: Four straight Memphis games have gone over the total, this coming on the heels of a 5-1 stretch for unders.

Fantasy Streamer: Onyeka Okongwu. Clint Capela and Okongwu (96.4% available) will benefit from John Collins absence. Okongwu has averaged 13 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, and 1.0 BPG over the past three games. — Moody

Line: Nets (-13.5)
Moneyline: Nets (-1100), Blazers (+700)
Total: 225.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 226 points
BPI Win%: Nets (86.4%)

Key players ruled out: Eric Bledsoe, Anfernee Simons

Notable: The Nets are 3-15 ATS in their past 18 home games (over tickets have cashed in six of the past nine such games).

Fantasy Streamer: Trendon Watford (84% available) has stepped into a leading role for the rebuilding, injury-ravaged Trail Blazers as of late. the 21-year old power forward has averaged 16.9 PPG (47.7 FG%, 87.5 FT%), 7.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 BPG and 0.9 3PG in 32.9 MPG over the past seven games — Snellings

Line: Nuggets (-2.5)
Moneyline: Nuggets (-145), Cavaliers (+125)
Total: 220.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 220 points
BPI Win%: Nuggets (58.6%)

Key players ruled out: Rajon Rondo, Jarrett Allen

Notable: The Cavaliers have failed to cover six of their past seven games as an underdog.

Darius Garland has at least five rebounds in three of his past five games. David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Best bet: Darius Garland over 36.5 points + assists + rebounds. The Cavaliers needed even more from Garland with Rajon Rondo out and he delivered. He has averaged 26.5 PPG, 10.4 APG, and 4.0 RPG over the past eight games and Denver has been terrorized by opposing point guards all season, surrendering 24.3 PPG, 9.0 APG, and 6.5 RPG. — Moody

Line: Heat (-15)
Moneyline: Heat (-1700), Thunder (+900)
Total: 220 points
BPI Projected Total: 226 points
BPI Win%: Heat (90.8%)

Key players ruled out: Caleb Martin

Questionable: Jimmy Butler (ankle), P.J. Tucker (knee)

Notable: After covering four straight games, the Heat are just 1-3-1 ATS over their past five.

Fantasy Streamer: Darius Bazleyis having a monster week and has averaged 26.3 PPG (56.6 FG%), 7.7 RPG, 3.7 3PG and 2.3 APG over the past three games. — Snellings

Line: Pacers (-3)
Moneyline: Pacers (-150), Rockets (+130)
Total: 239.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 238.5 points
BPI Win%: Rockets (51.2%)

Key players ruled out: none

Questionable: Goga Bitadze (foot), Chris Duarte (toe), Eric Gordon (illness)

Notable: Overs are 4-1 in Houston’s past five games, this run coming on the heels of a 5-1 stretch for the unders.

Line: Spurs (-3.5)
Moneyline: Spurs (-160), Pelicans (+140)
Total: 237 points
BPI Projected Total: 227 points
BPI Win%: Spurs (-160)

Key players ruled out: none

Questionable: Jose Alvarado (finger), Devonte’ Graham (right hip soreness)

Notable: The Pelicans are 1-5 ATS over their past six games and five of those games have gone over the total.

Line: Jazz (-6)
Moneyline: Jazz (-240), Clippers (+200)
Total: 217.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 215 points
BPI Win%: Jazz (68.5%)

Key players ruled out: Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic

Notable: The Jazz are 7-2-1 in their past 10 games in front of the Utah faithful.

Fantasy Streamer Royce O’Neale O’Neale (91% available) is a viable streamer in deeper formats and the Jazz will need to rely him on the perimeter with Mitchell and Bogdanovic out. He’s averaged 9.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 3.3 APG over the last six games. — Moody

Line: Celtics (-9)
Moneyline: Celtics (-440), Kings (+340)
Total: 225
BPI Projected Total: 215 points
BPI Win%: Celtics (73.4%)

Key players ruled out: Jeremy Lamb

Questionable: De’Aaron Fox (hand)

Notable: The Celtics have seen three of four games go under the total after seven of eight Boston games had gone over the number.

Analytics Edge

BPI highest projected totals

1. Houston Rockets (119.3 points)
2. Brooklyn Nets (119.2 points)
3. Indiana Pacers (118.9 points)

BPI lowest projected totals

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (100.7 points)
2. Sacramento Kings (104 points)
3. LA Clippers (104.8 points)

BPI top probability to win (straight up)

1. Miami Heat (90.8%)
2. Brooklyn Nets (86.4%)
3. Toronto Raptors (77.7%)

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Fantasy basketball streamers and NBA betting cheat sheet for Fridayon March 18, 2022 at 5:59 pm Read More »

Chicago Bulls preparing to get Patrick Williams back very soonRyan Heckmanon March 18, 2022 at 2:00 pm

Chicago Bulls (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)

Since enduring a wrist injury back in October, Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams has been on the comeback tour.

The Bulls have surely missed Williams since losing him, and especially lately. Chicago has been reeling, it seems, falling pretty far from once holding the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Williams’ absence has forced head coach Billy Donovan to be creative with his lineups, but the health of his replacements have also been sporadic. Seeing Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr., Tristan Thompson and even Alex Caruso, at one point fill in, has been difficult.

The Bulls need Williams back in his starting four role, and that time has finally appeared on the horizon.

The Chicago Bulls assigned Patrick Williams to the Windy City Bulls, meaning he will be back very soon.

That @patricklw4 and @Malcolmillini21 connection is already looking strong! ?? pic.twitter.com/RUAn9APNyJ

— Windy City Bulls (@windycitybulls) March 17, 2022

The Bulls have currently lost five of seven games, with wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.

What has been abundantly clear, over the past couple of weeks, is the fact that one-time MVP candidate DeMar DeRozan has been absolutely exhausted. The Bulls, at one point, were riding DeRozan’s incredible performances day-in and day-out.

But, as of late, it’s been obvious that DeRozan has been a bit off. He’s no longer shooting over 50 percent each night, and is missing some of those infamous mid-range jumpers we’re used to seeing him knock down.

The point is, the Bulls need all the help they can get, especially at Williams’ position. They need the versatility and the defense which, in turn, creates easier offense for a guy like DeRozan. Of course, it would help to have Lonzo Ball back as well and, once he’s back, it will make a playoff run that much easier.

Once Williams returns, having a bench group of Green, Jones, Caruso, Thompson and Coby White is going to help immensely. Just being able to have that one more spot open up will do wonders for this group. And again, when Ball is back, the Bulls can go 11 deep in the playoffs.

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Chicago Bulls preparing to get Patrick Williams back very soonRyan Heckmanon March 18, 2022 at 2:00 pm Read More »

What the Chicago Bears’ first 5 free agent signings bring to the tableRyan Heckmanon March 18, 2022 at 1:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Chicago Bears (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The first week of NFL free agency is just about in the books, and the Chicago Bears have stayed relatively quiet.

During a week where we have seen the likes of Chandler Jones, Davante Adams, Khalil Mack, Russell Wilson and J.C. Jackson change uniforms, the news coming out of Halas Hall as been fairly second-rate.

But, that’s what we have grown to expect from first year general manager Ryan Poles. During his first full offseason with the Bears, Poles is doing the right thing by sticking to his plan.

Although Poles frustrated some fans to begin the week, he did end up making a few moves. None were of the blockbuster type, but each had a purpose.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has signed five free agents so far, and each can have a unique impact.

The Bears’ began their free agent signings doing what no one expected and signed a defensive player first, bringing in former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. A day later, Poles agreed to terms with former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nicholas Morrow, making it two defensive free agents to start.

Right after Morrow was announced, the Bears agreed with former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Lucas Patrick — a Luke Getsy connection, of course. Poles then had great things to say about his first trio of free agent signings.

Then, Friday night, the Bears brought in a pair of receivers: former Green Bay Packers wideout Equanimeous St. Brown and former Kansas City Chief Byron Pringle.

How do these five impact the Bears going forward and what can they bring to the table? Let’s look at each one individually, just a bit closer.

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What the Chicago Bears’ first 5 free agent signings bring to the tableRyan Heckmanon March 18, 2022 at 1:00 pm Read More »