/Sports/MLB/Chicago Cubs/ Last Updated: Wed, Oct 4th, 2023 @ 10:25am EDT

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

A few thoughts about David Ross, Cubs manager

Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images

He’s done a very good job under difficult circumstances.

It’s become fashionable in some parts of the Cubs fanbase to call for the firing of manager David Ross.

Something something lineups, something something bullpen, or something like that.

I’m here to tell you that not only should Ross not be fired, but he should — presuming the Cubs continue contending in 2024 — be given a contract extension.

The season just ended was Ross’ fourth year...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Ashley MacLennan

Outside The Confines: The postseason is starting out Wild

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Things are underway, and soon we’ll know how the final division series will look.

Well Cub fans, I know we wanted this week to look different, and we were so close to it being different, but nevertheless even with the Cubs headed home to relax and train for the winter, the show must go on. And in this case, the show is the postseason.

It doesn’t matter if you picked another team to bandwagon (it’s okay, I promise you), or if you’re just...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Duane Pesice

Baseball history unpacked, October 4

Happy birthday, Bobby Scales! | Photo by Michael DeHoog/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

A M-W-F digest, replete with #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB content, gathered from reputable sources. The best record ever 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 course of time. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline,...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Josh Timmers

BCB After Dark: Polar Bear Plunge?

Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks if the Cubs should trade for first baseman Pete Alonso.

It’s the first night of the postseason here at BCB After Dark: the coolest club for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad to see you on this lovely autumn evening. Please come in. The dress code is casual. There are still a few tables available. Bring your own beverage.

CB After Dark is the place for you to...

Yardbarker: Chicago Cubs

Pete Alonso reportedly interested in Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly put Pete Alonso on their trade radar this off-season. Alonso enters the final season of his contract, he will be a free agent in 2025.

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

2023 MLB Wild Card series, Game 1: D-backs vs. Brewers, Marlins vs. Phillies

Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

The postseason continues!

As a reminder, or if you missed this afternoon’s threads: For the wild card round, where there will be four games for at least the first two days, we’ll have one thread for the afternoon games — this one — and another for two games to be played tonight.

Here’s all the info you’ll need for today’s evening contests. MLB has, whether intentionally or not, split this up so that the N.L. games are...

Yardbarker: Chicago Cubs

Cubs president discusses team's disappointing 2023 finish

While the Cubs finished above .500 for the first time in three years, he made it clear he didn’t view the season as a success.

Yardbarker: Chicago Cubs

Jed Hoyer hints at David Ross’ future after 2023 season

Cubs head of baseball operations Jed Hoyer lauded manager David Ross on Tuesday for his leadership and work in the team recently concluded 83-79 season, which ended in disappointment as the team collapsed in the final weeks of the season, allowing them to miss out on a postseason place.

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Sara Sanchez

A Cubs fan’s guide to the Wild Card round of the playoffs

Kyle Schwarber congratulates Nick Castellanos after he hits a home run against the Nationals | Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

There are lots of former fan favorites in the opening round of the playoffs

The Wild Card round of the playoffs begins Tuesday with both leagues seeing action today beginning at 2:08 p.m. CT when the Rays host the Rangers in Tampa Bay. The Cubs just barely missed the playoffs this season, so it’s totally understandable if your healing a bit and need a break from...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

2023 MLB Wild Card series, Game 1: Rangers vs. Rays, Blue Jays vs. Twins

Photo by Wayne Kryduba/Getty Images

The postseason begins!

As is our usual practice here, we are going to have game threads for every postseason game.

For the wild card round, where there will be four games for at least the first two days, we’ll have one thread for the afternoon games — this one — and another for two games to be played tonight.

At 2 p.m. CT, BCB’s Sara Sanchez will have her annual “Cubs fan’s guide” on who to root for in the postseason.

Meanwhile,...

Yardbarker: Chicago Cubs

Cubs to 'Do Everything They Can' for Pete Alonso This Offseason?

With Sunday's loss, the Chicago Cubs' 2023 season came to an end. Many burning questions lie ahead this offseason, meaning it was only a matter of time until the rumor mill started churning.

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

Jed Hoyer holds his season-ending news conference

Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images

... and doesn’t really make any news.

The biggest news Jed Hoyer made during his traditional end-of-season news conference was the fact that there was really no news at all. Of course, he, like the rest of us, was disappointed in not making the postseason and said it would be “really hard” to watch playoff games this afternoon instead of having the Cubs participate in them, but the bottom line of Hoyer’s remarks wasn’t anything that we...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

2023 Cubs final season grades

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Some of these are pretty good. Others, not so much.

In re-reading my midseason grades article, I noted this passage:

Last year’s team went 39-31 after the break, a .557 winning percentage. If this year’s team can play to that percentage in the 73 remaining games, they’ll go 41-32. That would result in an 83-79 final record.

I don’t claim to be prescient, but I’d have made some money if I’d have bet that, because that’s exactly what...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Duane Pesice

Cub Tracks’ the dreaded vote of confidence?

Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes, hand-selected for your possible pleasure, with commentary. Tom Ricketts had a few things to say the other day.

Welcome to today’s episode 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, hmm, I...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Josh Timmers

BCB After Dark: The postseason starts

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images

The late-night/early-morning spot for Cubs fans asks who will represent the National League in the World Series

It’s the first night after the regular season for BCB After Dark: the sweetest spot for night owls, early risers, new parents and Cubs fans abroad. We’re so glad you could join us this evening. We’re going to take it easy this month and just enjoy the show without the Cubs. Come on in. There’s no cover charge. There are still a few tables...

Yardbarker: Chicago Cubs

Will Cubs look to Add a Big Time Slugger this Offseason?

Earlier in the season there had been some Pete Alonso to the Cubs rumors. Once again, his name has come up: It seems like the Cubs are really looking to be a legit contender in 2024 with this moves they’d like to make.

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Josh Timmers

Pete Crow-Armstrong wins MiLB Defensive Player of the Year Award

Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

More honors for Cubs minor league prospects.

The first ever MiLB Awards were announced tonight on the MLB Network and Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong was named Defensive Player of the Year. This award, as well as all other MiLB Awards, were for performance throughout the entire minor leagues for the 2023 season.

Additionally, Tennessee Smokies outfielder Owen Caissie was named to the First-Team All-MiLB Team. Crow-Armstrong and Smokies right-hander...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

MLB’s new rules made for improvements in game times and stolen bases in 2023

Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images

It was a much more watchable and enjoyable product on the field this year.

I’ve been writing much of the year about MLB’s new pitch clock (officially called “pitch timer”) and how much better it’s made watching baseball this year.

Now we have some numbers to back that up.

The average length of a game in 2023 was the shortest it has been in 38 years — since 1985 — by clocking in at an average of 2:39:49 per game. The...

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

Countdown to Cubs 2024 spring opener

Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images

Here you will always be able to find out how much time there is remaining until the Cubs open the spring schedule.

Here’s a handy countdown clock to let you know how much time remains until Cubs baseball returns, Friday, February 23, 2024 against the White Sox at Sloan Park.

Bleed Cubbie Blue

Al Yellon

Countdown to Cubs 2024 Opening Day

Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Here you will always be able to find out how much time there is remaining until the Cubs open the 2024 schedule March 28 at Texas.

The Cubs will open the 2024 season Thursday, March 28 against the Rangers at Texas at 3:05 p.m. CT. This handy clock will remind you how much time remains before that date and time.

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