BCB After Dark: Swanson’s Spring Jitters

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks if you’re worried about Dansby Swanson.

It’s another week here at BCB After Dark: the sweetest hang for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. So glad that you could stop in. Come on in where it’s warm and dry. If you have a coat or umbrella you’d like to check, we can do that for you. There’s no cover charge. There are still a few tables available. Bring your own...

WBC Tonight: Japan takes on Mexico for a trip to the finals

Roki Sasaki | Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images

Mexico and Japan will face off to see who will face Team USA tomorrow for the 2023 WBC title.

Tonight is the second semifinal of the 2023 World Baseball Classic as Samurai Japan takes on Mexico. The contest will once again start at 6 p.m. Central time and will be broadcast on FS1.

Japan will start right-handed 21-year-old phenom Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines. Mexico will start left-hander Patrick Sandoval of the Los Angeles...

Cubs could be among MLB's best at this skill

The success of the Cubs, who finished third in the NL Central in 2022 with a 74-88 record, could depend on their ability to flash the leather.

A followup on the MLB Ballpark app’s issues with Ticketmaster

Photo Illustration by Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

It’s been resolved, but it took a while. And the problem was undoubtedly on Ticketmaster’s fault.

Last week, I posted here about some issues I was having accessing tickets for some Cubs vs. Braves games in Atlanta in September through the MLB Ballpark app. The tickets weren’t accessible at all, and I kept getting weird error messages when trying to load them.

I’m happy to report that I can now...

Should Mike Tauchman or Nelson Velázquez make the Cubs’ Opening Day roster?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs need a right fielder while Seiya Suzuki is out. Who should it be?

Seiya Suzuki, the Cubs’ right fielder, is out with an oblique injury. Fortunately, he’s begun light baseball activity:

Seiya Suzuki (left oblique) is hitting front flips in the cage today, Ross says.

He’s still a ways away from batting practice or playing in games, but the hope is still that Suzuki will be able to...

Baseball history unpacked, March 20

Steve Bilko, who did not play today, but was a huge figure in Wrigley Field West history. | Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

A thrice-weekly digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. Wrigley West and other stories.

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a light-hearted, Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past, with plenty of the lore and various narratives to follow as they unfold over the...

Outside the Confines: It’s all worth it

Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

More news from the World Baseball Classic. Jurickson Profar finds a team. More thoughts on the pitch clock. And other news from around baseball.

Tonight and tomorrow are the final two games of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Japan takes on Mexico tonight for the right to face Team USA in the finals tomorrow. A lot of the WBC news is handled in WBC Tonight, but there is some of it here.

Cubs 5, Padres 2: Nelson Velázquez walks it off

Al Yellon

The Cubs outfielder smashed a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.

MESA, Arizona — One game, especially in Spring Training, doesn’t make a career, or even a season.

But how long have I been saying that I think Nelson Velázquez should be given a chance to play right field while Seiya Suzuki is out?

Velázquez’ three-run walkoff homer certainly didn’t hurt his case any. It gave the Cubs a 5-2 win over the Padres.

Let’s look at the homer and then rewind to the...

Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Padres, Sunday 3/19, 3:05 CT

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

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WBC Tonight: Team USA faces Cuba after winning a classic in the Classic

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

One of the all-time great WBC games sends Team USA to the semifinals against Cuba tonight.

The first World Baseball Classic semifinal happens tonight in Miami as Team USA take on Cuba. The game starts at 6pm Chicago time and will be broadcast on FS1.

Last night, we had a true classic in the World Baseball Classic to send Team USA to the semifinals.

Adam Wainwright gets the start for Team USA while Cubs’ left-hander Roenis Elías gets the call for Team...

First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Padres, Sunday 3/19, 3:05 CT

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Go get ‘em, Justin.

Cubs vs. Padres at Mesa preview, Sunday 3/19, 3:05 CT

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs return to Mesa for a Sunday contest.

Here are today’s particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Hoerner 2B, Swanson SS, Happ LF, Mancini 1B, Bellinger CF, Gomes C, Rios 3B, Tauchman RF, Mervis DH

Padres lineup:

Engel CF, Nola C, Carpenter 1B, Cruz DH, Dixon RF, Odor 2B, Azocar LF, Lopes 3B, Batten SS

Justin Steele will start for the Cubs. Other Cubs pitchers today: Michael Fulmer, Keegan Thompson, Brandon Hughes, Nick Burdi, Eric Stout and Bailey Horn.

Note that a...

Cubs vs. Padres Sunday 3/19 game threads

Al Yellon

If you seek Sunday’s game threads, look no further.

Cub Tracks’ it might as well rain

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

All the #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news you can use, four days a week. I mean, if this is what we’re going to get...

Welcome to today’s edition of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and then cold-brewed overnight for maximum flavor.

Well, Michael Rucker looked like he held the golden ticket to the Iowa train. I...

Cubs: Javier Assad Dominates Again in World Baseball Classic

Javier Assad is making the Cubs' fifth starter choice a difficult decision for David Ross. Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Javier Assad is starting to make his presence known worldwide.

Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Giants, Saturday 3/18, 3:05 CT

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

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WBC Tonight: Mexico advances, USA faces Venezuela

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Mexico wins the biggest baseball game in their country’s history. Team USA takes on Venezuela tonight.

Tonight in World Baseball Classic action, Team USA takes on Venezuela for the fourth and final spot in the semifinals. The game starts at 6pm Central time and will be broadcast on your local Fox affiliate. Lance Lynn is scheduled to pitch for Team USA and Martín Pérez is scheduled to go for Venezuela.

Venezuela made this quarterfinal by going 4-0 in...

Giants 5, Cubs 1: Another day marked off the calendar

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Opening Day is just 12 days away.

After a 5-1 loss to the Giants Saturday afternoon, the Cubs have now lost five in a row (with a tie sandwiched in Friday) and their Spring Training record is even-up at 10-10.

Does that matter? Of course not. Let’s take a look at some of the things from this game that did.

Adrian Sampson had probably his best outing of the spring season so far, throwing 4x innings and allowing just two hits and two runs, one of those...

First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Giants, Saturday 3/18, 3:05 CT

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Go get ‘em, Adrian.

Cubs vs. Giants at Scottsdale preview, Saturday 3/18, 3:05 CT

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs make a trip to Scottsdale Stadium.

Here are today’s particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Madrigal 3B, Hosmer 1B, Wisdom RF, Rios DH, Tauchman LF, Morel CF, Barnhart C, Bote 2B, McKinstry SS

Giants lineup:

Wade RF, Yastrzemski DH, Flores 1B, Sabol LF, Wisely SS, Villar 3B, Bart C, Johnson CF, Wilson 2B

Adrian Sampson will start for the Cubs. Other Cubs pitchers today: Brad Boxberger, Mark Leiter Jr., Tyler Duffey and Michael Rucker.

Anthony DeSclafani will start...