Chicago comedy spotlight for Saturday, August 1-Saturday, August 8, 2020Teme Ringon August 2, 2020 at 12:47 am

Comedians Defying Gravity

Chicago comedy spotlight for Saturday, August 1-Saturday, August 8, 2020

Chicago comedy spotlight for Saturday, August 1-Saturday, August 8, 2020Teme Ringon August 2, 2020 at 12:47 am Read More »

That’s Chatty–Cubs 4 Pirates 3Mike Bangharton August 2, 2020 at 3:30 am

Cubs Den

That’s Chatty–Cubs 4 Pirates 3

That’s Chatty–Cubs 4 Pirates 3Mike Bangharton August 2, 2020 at 3:30 am Read More »

Chicago Week in Craft Beer, August 3-6Mark McDermotton August 2, 2020 at 3:58 am

The Beeronaut

Chicago Week in Craft Beer, August 3-6

Chicago Week in Craft Beer, August 3-6Mark McDermotton August 2, 2020 at 3:58 am Read More »

Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky shows why fans root so hard for himPatrick Sheldonon August 1, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Chicago Bears (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

It’s so easy to root for the Chicago Bears quarterback.

There has been endless debate over who should be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears in 2020. It feels like Bears fans are split pretty evenly between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles. There are certainly arguments in favor of each, but most of them center around their play on the field.

However, there is a reason, unrelated to on-the-field performance that so many fans are pulling hard for Trubisky to succeed.

This piece is not meant to rehash the skillsets of the respective quarterbacks. It’s really to celebrate the reasons Trubisky’s teammates love him and why fans pull for him, as told through his latest example of kindness.

We all heard stories of Mitch helping linemen get their pads on and off as a rookie, or being the first player in the building and the last one out.

And despite all of the criticism he faces, he has never let that impact who he is as a person, which is someone who is genuine, sincere, and appreciates the platform he has as the Bears’ quarterback.

So amazing. Thank you @Mtrubisky10 ? pic.twitter.com/JUFEyEYkXv

— Edward Jozefiak (@Ju1cEJ) July 29, 2020

On July 12th, Jack Roche, a 21-year-old Oak Lawn resident and equipment manager for the University of Kansas football team, was tragically killed when he was struck by a vehicle crossing a busy street. He was universally beloved and had an infectious spirit.

No doubt a heartbreaking moment for his family, who are likely enduring unimaginable pain, but trying to find comfort in memories of Jack and the things he loved — like Chicago Bears football and their quarterback, Mitch Trubisky.

Trubisky became aware that Jack was a fan and sought to ease that family’s pain through a simple gesture. Trubisky privately sent the family a heartfelt note expressing his deepest sympathies for their loss along with a signed jersey. It was not lost on this observer that the note was handwritten on a page clearly torn from a personal notebook. It did not come typed on Bears letterhead, written by an intern. No — it was as authentic as it gets because that’s who Mitch is as a person.

Next: Could Bears make run at Aaron Rodgers next year?

It’s easy to see why Mitch is loved by his teammates and fans, and why everyone is pulling so hard for him to succeed. The kid gets what it means to have a platform as the player at the most popular position on the most popular team in Chicago, and kudos to him for using it in a positive way.

Load Comments

Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky shows why fans root so hard for himPatrick Sheldonon August 1, 2020 at 12:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: 3 recent Trubisky quotes cause serious concernRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Next1 of 4Prev post

Use your (arrows) to browse

Chicago Bears (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky enters his first true competition this summer.

As the team begins training camp and fans hold out hope for a 2020 NFL season, the Chicago Bears are focused on the here and now. There are a bunch of moving parts at the moment, with players all over the league opting out due to health concerns related to COVID-19 and teams having to adjust on the fly.

So far, the Bears have only had one player opt out in starting nose tackle Eddie Goldman. But, there were recently some rumors of newly-acquired quarterback Nick Foles potentially opting out of the season. Of course, this would hand the starting job to Mitchell Trubisky without any true competition.

But, those rumors proved to be exactly that — rumors. Foles has no plans to opt out of the coming season, and Trubisky will indeed have himself some competition.

Speaking of Foles, it took the Bears a while to allow Trubisky to show his face following the trade with Jacksonville. In fact, it was months after the Bears acquired Foles that Trubisky finally met the media; virtually, of course.

Over his last couple of recent meetings with media members, the former no. 2 overall pick has given fans plenty of questions — more questions than answers, actually. While it’s easy to root for the kid and believe in him as a leader and person, the words spoken by Trubisky should have fans concerned.

There are recent three quotes, in particular, which might frustrate and confuse fans. All have come in his last two meetings with the media, including this past week.

Next: Quote Number 1

Next1 of 4Prev post

Use your (arrows) to browse

Load Comments

Chicago Bears: 3 recent Trubisky quotes cause serious concernRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2020 at 1:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Cubs: Darvish’s redemption, Rizzo’s pain in winRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2020 at 2:00 pm

Chicago Cubs (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)

Friday night, Chicago Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish redeemed himself after his shaky first start.

Six days ago, the Chicago Cubs were coming off their first game of the 2020 season — a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Yu Darvish took the mound in his first start, and through a couple of innings, it seemed to be going pretty well, all things considered.

But, in the fourth inning, Darvish unraveled. In total, he pitched just four innings while allowing six hits and giving up three runs. He did strike out five batters, though.

The Cubs’ bullpen went on to allow five more runs in the 8-3 loss to Milwaukee, which has become a common theme once again — a porous bullpen.

Friday night, though, the Cubs entered 4-2 against another divisional foe, the 2-4 Pittsburgh Pirates. Darvish took the mound in his second start of the season, and boy did he deliver in a game the Cubs would ultimately win 6-3.

Yu went six innings, giving up just a pair of hits altogether while striking out seven and giving up only one walk. 56 of his 86 pitches thrown were strikes, and that pitch count is a thing of beauty; 86 pitches through six innings. If the Cubs can get that kind of production out of Darvish more games than not, they would be thrilled.

Since his time with the Cubs began, Darvish has had a tough time getting past the fourth or fifth innings. Those are typically his dwindling points, as seen in his first start a week ago. But, getting a quality start out of Darvish usually equals a win, just as it did Friday night.

The Chicago Cubs wrote a little more history on Friday night, thanks to Anthony Rizzo.

Early in the game, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch from Pirates starter Trevor Williams. That particular HBP was a significant one, to say the least.

Anthony Rizzo with his 6th HBP already. No one else has more than 3.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 1, 2020

In Game 7 of this young season, Rizzo has already been hit six times. This one hit him on the inside of the kneecap, and he grimaced for a while afterwards, yet stayed in the game. Over the course of the rest of the night, Rizzo looked as though it continued to bother him at times. His 2-RBI single in the 7th proved he was more than ready to keep playing, though.

That pitch also moved Rizzo to 21st all-time in career HBP’s, where he is now tied with Chet Lemon and has been hit a whopping 151 times over his career.

For those wondering, the all-time leader in HBP’s is Hughie Jennings, whose career began almost 130 years ago, back in 1891.

Load Comments

Chicago Cubs: Darvish’s redemption, Rizzo’s pain in winRyan Heckmanon August 1, 2020 at 2:00 pm Read More »

Chicago Blackhawks: Will playing in Edmonton favor the Oilers?Vincent Pariseon August 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm

EDMONTON, AB - FEBRUARY 11: Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Edmonton Oilers stops Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place on February 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) — EDMONTON, AB – FEBRUARY 11: Goaltender Mike Smith #41 of the Edmonton Oilers stops Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks at Rogers Place on February 11, 2020, in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Are the Chicago Blackhawks at a disadvantage playing the Edmonton Oilers in their building?

The Chicago Blackhawks are getting ready for an incredibly difficult series against the Edmonton Oilers. They are being given a shot to play in a playoff series because of the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the season. They were the last Western Conference team to receive an invite to the return to play Stanley Cup Playoffs tournament so this is like a second wind. Well, due to the virus and its restrictions, the league is playing the games in two hub cities.

They created a bubble in Edmonton and Toronto. The West teams are in Edmonton and the East teams are in Toronto. That means the Oilers get to play in this series (and potentially beyond) on home ice. Is that creating a noticeable disadvantage for the Blackhawks as they try to take them down? A lot of people might believe it is but that isn’t likely the case.

The home-ice thing is nice for the playoffs in a year where a global pandemic doesn’t keep fans out of the building. In this strange year, however, the designated home team will have the advantage in the face-off dots and the last change but that will vary based on seeding and which game in the series it is. There will be no fans supporting one team at any point. It is just the players and each of the coaching staff.

Of course, they are going to be in a familiar building and locker room. They are also going to be playing in their home barn. If there are any lively boards or little advantages like that then maybe they could benefit but it shouldn’t make that much of a difference in the series. If the Oilers beat the Hawks, it is because they were the far superior team.

This is a big opportunity for the Hawks to win a play-in series and be a part of the first round. They need their star players to outshine Edmonton’s top players and they are going to have to do it in the Oilers home building. It is a tough task but this is definitely going to be fun to watch.

Load Comments

Chicago Blackhawks: Will playing in Edmonton favor the Oilers?Vincent Pariseon August 1, 2020 at 3:00 pm Read More »

Chicago White Sox: Team must sweep Royals to keep playoff hopes aliveRob Schwarz Jron August 1, 2020 at 4:00 pm

Chicago White Sox (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

The Chicago White Sox must sweep the Royals to keep playoff hopes alive

We are only into the second week of the MLB season, but the Chicago White Sox already find their backs against the wall. With a slow start to the year, the White Sox find themselves in fourth place in the AL Central. I know that only two games separate them from first, but if the team cannot find a way to sweep the Royals this weekend their playoff chances are going to drastically dwindle.

Expectations were high for the White Sox this season. The expectations came from not just fans alone. The organization and the national media has even been high on the White Sox chances and future. Even though most did not see the team as a World Series contender this season, the team was viewed as a playoff contender. Unfortunately, a shortened season does not allow the young team to work through its growing pains.

We have to remember the team is relatively young. However, the organization cannot afford to miss the window of opportunity it has over the next few seasons. Starting out the year 1-4 was the complete opposite of what this team needed. The Twins are the favorite to win the division and the White Sox not only lost two of the first three games in the first series, the Twins outscored the White Sox 27-17 over that three-game span.

Current projections do not look good for the Chicago White Sox

The starting pitching has not been what we all expected. Lucas Giolito started the year out horribly versus the Twins, but his second outing versus Cleveland was very promising and more of what we envisioned based on his 2019 performance. The only other starter to show signs of good things to come was newcomer Dallas Keuchel. Keuchel has two wins under his belt and has allowed only four runs over two games. He has pitched at least five innings in those two outings.

Dylan Cease, Carlos Rodon and Reynaldo Lopez have looked like garbage to start the season though. If these three cannot find a way to lock things down (or Gio Gonzalez while Lopez deals with shoulder soreness) the team’s chances at the playoffs are bleak at best.

Many of you may be saying, eh, it is early. Well, it is, but this is not a normal season. If the White Sox can sweep the Royals this weekend (already won the first outing), then the team will be 5-4 over the first 15 percent of the year. Still not great, but better. Thank goodness for a strong bullpen this season. The problem is the team cannot count on the bullpen longterm and needs the starting pitching to find its true form.

The way the team started the season puts them on a path to finish 34-26 on the year. Will that be enough to make the playoffs? Who knows. What I do know is if they can only win one of the next two games they project to finish 26-34. If they lose both? Yikes. We are looking at a 20-40 projection.

Next: Chicago White Sox roughed up in opening series vs. Twins

Neither of the last two projections have a chance at making the playoffs. Now, I know baseball comes in spurts, but in such a shortened year the team cannot afford to keep losing. The team could go on a hot streak and exploit this as a bad take, but in order to prove the team can even put together an impressive run of wins, it must dominate teams like the Royals.

Load Comments

Chicago White Sox: Team must sweep Royals to keep playoff hopes aliveRob Schwarz Jron August 1, 2020 at 4:00 pm Read More »