Cubs Reeled Back Into Reality And Lose Dramatic Crosstown Series

The Cubs scored a total of 5 runs in Atlanta and lost 2 of 3 to the National League’s top team. Ben Brown started a shutout in game 3 with 4 masterpiece innings as the offense scratched their way to 2 runs. In Round 1 of the Crosstown Classic, the White Sox took 2 of 3 games thanks to a wild rubber game that ended on a walk-off homer by Edgar Quero. The Cubs’ bats were resuscitated to the tune of 7 runs/game in the series, but the patchwork pitching staff let go of the rope. Cabrera, Taillon, and Rea were all hit hard, and the Montgomery/Murakami duo stole the city’s spotlight from the Cubs.

Back to the roller coaster. The Cubs weren’t going to hold course with 3-game losing streaks and 10-game win streaks all season long. Unfortunately, the reality that vanished during their magical 20-3 run reappeared to punch them in the face. The offense lost their mojo and only collected 19 hits over a 5-game stretch. Runs showed up on the scoreboard again in the White Sox series only for the pitching to lose their luster. Defense is still their rock, but it’s difficult to win games when one area of the team is contributing negative value. This is a unique valley, and they will level out once again.

The 2026 schedule was released! View it here. The Bears technically have the toughest strength of schedule in the entire NFL based on 2025 records, but it doesn’t come across that way when you scan through their matchups. My first attempt at an on-paper, trust-your-gut prediction landed the Bears at 12-5! Make sure your families know you’ll be watching the Bears on Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!

Signed Roman Kantserov to a 3-year entry-level contract ($1.075M cap hit). Kyle Davidson is confident Kantserov can lock up a Top-6 spot in the lineup right away, and I’m pumped that Bedard and/or Frondell will have an electric new linemate lighting up the scoreboard next season.

Seven Blackhawks are playing in the World Championships (Frondell, Teravainen, Moore, Kaiser, Soderblom, Lafferty, Commesso).

Hired Acie Law as Vice President of Player Personnel and Stephen Mervis as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. Law brings scouting expertise and was Bryson Graham’s teammate at Texas A&M, and Mervis has a cap management and strategy background. Graham is following through on building out a talented executive group.

Josh Giddey had a right ankle arthroscopy and will be ready to go for training camp.

2/3 of the Bulls’ roster will be replaced this offseason.

With a new front office comes a new identity. A new culture. A new play style. A new head coach. A new direction. Bryson Graham is now in control, so nobody on the roster is safe.

Only 9 players have a guaranteed contract or option available for the 2026-2027 season, and none of the recently acquired restricted free agents are locks to return. I’d be surprised if any of them re-signed since it was the old regime that targeted them on a tryout basis.

Some players don’t qualify under Graham’s SLAP philosophy (size, length, athleticism, physicality) and others simply won’t fit the puzzle he wants to put together. Nobody is untouchable by trade, and 4 draft picks are on their way next month. This team will look vastly different, and we should all be thankful.