August 20, 2015 CSNChicago.com Do Cubs have enough pitching to finish the pennant race? By Patrick Mooney For all the talk about rookies hitting the wall — and how a young and inexperienced group will handle pennant-race pressure — the biggest issue facing the Cubs might be the rotation that put them in a playoff position. Forget Jon Lester’s yips for a moment and his control-alt-delete performance in Wednesday night’s 15-8 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field. It happens, even to a $155 million pitcher with two World Series rings and three All-Star selections on his resume. The Tigers knocked out Lester in the third inning, blasting three home runs and jumping out to a 7-0 lead. The issues are bigger than Lester when outfielder Chris Denorfia is pitching in the ninth inning of a two-game interleague series sweep that saw Detroit generate 25 runs and 40 hits. Take a wide-angle look, and there’s Jason Hammel admitting he’s been out of sync after a hamstring injury, failing to finish six innings in seven starts since the Fourth of July. There’s Kyle Hendricks watching old Double-A video, trying to diagnose the problems that have led to a 5.29 ERA in six starts after the All-Star break. There’s Dan Haren in what are probably his final weeks before retirement, getting by with guts and intelligence near the end of a long and distinguished career. “If there was health issues, I’d be more concerned,” manager Joe Maddon said. “There’s no health issues. That would be my greater concern, if it was something like: ‘My shoulder’s barking a bit.’ “During the course of a year, guys are always going to go through some struggles. I think Jason’s very fixable. I think Kyle’s very fixable. Danny Haren ... this guy is a tremendous competitor, so I have a lot of faith in him, too.” The Cubs are on pace for around 90 wins and a wild-card spot because their rotation has been so reliable, beginning the day with a 3.51 ERA overall. The Cubs will have to lean on their pitching infrastructure and come up with some answers, because they don’t have the stockpile of young arms that helped Maddon’s Tampa Bay Rays teams win 90-plus games five times between 2008 and 2013. “The only thing with Kyle — from my mouth to his ears — is to trust yourself and pitch to contact because that’s who you are,” Maddon said. “Let our defense play. I’ve always talked about him staying in better counts. I know when he stays in better counts and works his stuff off of that, he’s pretty effective.

“Hammer, he’s probably throwing the ball harder than he has in awhile. And I think that actually works against him. I think he needs to back off and make better pitches with less velocity, more effective velocity. When he does that, he’s going to be fine. “Again, if they were injured, I’d be concerned. But they’re not.” Even Jake Arrieta’s evolution into one of the game’s best pitchers comes with a warning label: The 29-year-old power right-hander has already reached a career-high 162 innings, and there are still six-plus weeks left in the regular season. “You try to monitor it, but the guy’s like such a freak when it comes to working out and strength levels,” Maddon said. “I watch it all the time. (But) with him, he’s a little bit older (and) he’s been around, so I don’t have as great of a concern with him. But (we) definitely want to keep an eye on it.” -- CSNChicago.com No Chase Utley, but Cubs hope Chris Coghlan could become their Ben Zobrist By Patrick Mooney Chase Utley wanted to go back to California and used his no-trade rights as leverage to join the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs tried to make a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies for a six-time All-Star second baseman and a 2008 World Series champion. But the ball had been in Utley’s court for weeks, and he wanted assurances about playing time. Dodger Stadium also has obvious appeal for someone who went to UCLA and Long Beach Polytechnic High School. So with the Phillies and Dodgers finally closing the Utley deal on Wednesday night, it kept the window of opportunity wide open for Chris Coghlan, who has an edge and a take-nothing-for-granted weariness about him at this point in his up-and-down career. “Shoot, I’m not trying to be Utley one bit, man,” Coghlan said. “I’m not trying to do Utley. I’m just trying to do me. That’s it.” The Cubs started Starlin Castro at second base against Detroit Tigers lefty Daniel Norris at Wrigley Field. But Coghlan came off the bench to deliver an RBI triple during a 15-8 loss and should be a big X-factor during the stretch run. Manager Joe Maddon could even see Coghlan grow into the super-utility role Ben Zobrist perfected with the Tampa Bay Rays. Coghlan emerged as the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 2009 with the Florida Marlins, playing 123 games in left field after coming up through their system as a second/third baseman. Coghlan’s stock dropped to the point where the Marlins non-tendered him after the 2013 season, forcing him to sign a minor-league deal with the Cubs and earn his way back to The Show through Triple-A Iowa. “Crazy story,” Coghlan said. “I told my wife a couple years back: ‘It would be really cool to get back to playing the infield again.’ And she’s like: ‘Yeah, do you think anybody would (let you do that)?’ “We had a different manager every year in Miami, so I said: ‘I don’t know. We’ll probably have a different manager next year. But you know what, the one manager I think that would allow me to is Joe Maddon. Look what he did with Ben Zobrist.’ “Sure enough, three, four years later, he’s my manager and now he gives me an opportunity.”

The Cubs tried to trade for Zobrist during the offseason but couldn’t make a deal with the Rays — and couldn’t match the package of pitching the Kansas City Royals gave the Oakland A’s before the July 31 deadline. “Of course,” Maddon said, Coghlan could have a Zobrist-type impact for the Cubs. “The one thing I don’t think he can do what Zo does is play shortstop. I don’t necessarily see that. But then again, CC probably likes to play third and first more than Zo did. “So there’s different trade-offs within that. Zobrist as a switch-hitter is a little different, also. But I like the idea of Chris being able to do all those different things that benefit us — and him — long-term. He’s been really good about doing the work necessary. And I know he’s going to continue to do it. “I just love that player. I think that’s a natural position. People may argue with me, but I do think a super-utility guy is a position. It really lengthens your bench. In-game, it permits you to do more things because you have this versatility. It’s nice to have.” To get Coghlan’s left-handed bat into the lineup, the Cubs are willing to think outside the box and sacrifice defense for offense. Coghlan isn’t a borderline Hall of Famer like Utley, but he does have 14 homers, 18 doubles, 41 walks and a .778 OPS. “Again, I’m not comparing myself to Utley,” Coghlan said. “I’m just trying to be the best version of me, reach the capacity for the talent that God’s given me. I don’t care what Utley’s doing. If Utley was on my team, I’d care. But I don’t care what any left fielder’s doing. I don’t care what anybody else is doing, because it doesn’t affect me. “You guys can compare — and I understand that’s the gig — and I don’t mean any disrespect. (But) I really don’t care what Utley’s doing.” -- CSNChicago.com Cubs: Jon Lester doesn’t have any answers for Tigers By Patrick Mooney Surrounded by reporters, Jon Lester leaned against the chair in front of his locker and kept shrugging his shoulders. The Cubs seemed a little dazed and confused after getting knocked around by the Detroit Tigers during this two-game interleague series at Wrigley Field. The Tigers put 25 runs on the board and finished with eight homers and 40 hits against a Cubs staff that’s supposed to be pitching deep into October. Lester’s even-keel off-the-field personality wouldn’t allow him to hit the panic button after Wednesday night’s 15-8 loss. But the Cubs have real questions about the state of their rotation. “I’ve been down this road a time or two,” Lester said. “We’re all human. But one thing I’ve always tried to do is when this one’s over, it’s over. I’m back tomorrow and I’ll watch the game again (with) a clear head and see where everything was (and) move on. “This season’s too long. It’s too much of an up-and-down (ride) to allow one of those abomination starts that stick out to effect your season. Obviously, this is a bad time of the year to have one. “Tomorrow, we’ll come back and look at it and evaluate it. And make sure that I’m not going crazy (and) flush it down the drain.” The Cubs are 67-51 and three games in front of the San Francisco Giants for the second wild-card spot, trailing the Pittsburgh Pirates by four games for home-field advantage in a one-game playoff.

The Tigers are underachieving this year at 58-61, but they still have high-end talent with Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez anchoring the middle of their lineup. Lester came into the game with a 5.25 ERA in 10 career starts against Detroit. This time, he couldn’t finish the third inning, walking off the mound with his team down 7-0. “They’ve obviously been a thorn in my side for a long time,” Lester said. “That’s easy to see and something that stands out. But with that being said, I still got to figure out a way to get deeper in that game. “Like I’ve said from Day 1, I’ll be honest with you guys as best I can. I’m being honest with you right now. I’m scratching my head. “I feel like within that game, there were pitches that were made that deserved better results.” This has been a strong overall season for Lester (8-9, 3.58 ERA) in the first year of that $155 million megadeal. But he couldn’t believe the ball Nick Castellanos hammered into the left-center field bleachers for a grand slam in the third inning. “I think I can go back two years and that’s the first first-pitch curveball hit (against me) — let alone homer,” Lester said. There was also the 94-mph fastball in the second inning that Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris blasted out to center field for a two-run homer in his first big-league at-bat. Norris was a key piece in the David Price blockbuster with the Toronto Blue Jays and had been a pitcher the Cubs liked when they shopped Jeff Samardzija last year. Norris had knocked out a video-board panel the day before during batting practice, but he left this game in the fifth inning with a strained oblique muscle. Don’t look at Lester for any easy explanations with the Cubs now trying to stop a three-game losing streak. “I don’t know,” Lester said more than once. “No matter what I say tonight, it really doesn’t justify or sum up anything that happened tonight. You try to step back and come up with answers (and) reasons. I want to say I threw the ball down the middle. But there were some good pitches that were made tonight that got hit.” -- Chicago Tribune Cubs starters coming up way short looming as potential big issue By Mark Gonzales The health of the Cubs' starting rotation isn't a major concern for manager Joe Maddon. But endurance lurks as a growing concern as the Cubs try to get to Sept. 1 in reasonable shape before 25-man rosters can be expanded. The lack of quality starts became more acute Wednesday night after Jon Lester lasted only 22/3 innings after being pounded for three home runs. But that was just a sampling of recent woes as the pitching staff allowed a season-high 21 hits in the Tigers' 15-8 romp that extended the Cubs' losing streak to three games. "I'm just glad it wasn't a three-game series," Maddon quipped. "These things happen." The Cubs allowed 40 hits in this two-game set, and outfielder Chris Denorfia was summoned to get the final out of the ninth.

Lester showed no semblance of his 4-0 record and 2.04 ERA over his previous five starts. Nick Castellanos smacked two impressive home runs, including a grand slam in the third. Opposing pitcher Daniel Norris ripped a two-run homer to center in the second, becoming the first Tigers player to homer in his first major-league at-bat since Reggie Sanders in 1974. This was the first time that Cubs starters allowed at least three home runs in three straight games since May 29-30, 1956, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Dan Haren also gave up three Sunday and Jason Hammel three Tuesday. "(The Tigers) obviously have been a thorn in my side for a long time," Lester said. "That's easy to see, and something that stands out. But I still have to figure a way to get deeper in that game, especially with how things transpired (Tuesday) with the rain delay and Hammel not being able to go, our bullpen and all that stuff." The Cubs have carried 13 pitchers for most of the season, and it appears to be a wise decision more and more. Haren, Hammel and Lester combined for only 101/3 innings in the Cubs' last three games. Fortunately for the Cubs, former left-handed starters Travis Wood and Clayton Richard each are equipped to pitch multiple innings. But if this trend continues the Cubs may need more insurance than adding former 18-game winner Trevor Cahill on a minor-league contract Wednesday. Cahill, 27, was a 2010 American League All-Star with the A's but gradually has struggled in stints with the Diamondbacks and Braves, who released him two months ago after he was 0-3 with a 5.72 ERA in 15 appearances. In Richard's previous outing Friday, he pitched two innings to get the victory over the White Sox in relief of Kyle Hendricks, who lasted only 31/3 innings. Hendricks has been reviewing videotapes from his 2013 season at Double-A Tennessee in an effort to solve recent woes. Maddon wants to resist the temptation to overextend 14-game winner Jake Arrieta, who will try to reverse the starters' negative wave when he takes the mound Thursday night against the Braves. Arrieta has set a career-high with 162 innings, and Maddon has been careful about Arrieta's pitch count since he threw a 122-pitch shutout against the Twins on June 21. The Cubs are keeping Arrieta on his normal five-day schedule so he's lined up to face the Giants on Tuesday and the Dodgers on Aug. 30. "I try to monitor, but the guy is such as freak when it comes to working out and his strength level," Maddon said. "I watch it all the time. He's one you want to keep an eye on." As for Hendricks, Hammel and Haren, "if there were health issues, I'd be more concerned," Maddon said. "There are no issues. That would be my greater concern, if someone said their shoulder is barking." Standing pat at second: With published reports confirming that Chase Utley agreed to a trade to the Dodgers (who are located near his childhood home in Long Beach, Calif.), the Cubs will stick with Chris Coghlan and Starlin Castro at second base. --

Chicago Tribune Jon Lester puzzled after early knockout By Mark Gonzales The pause between sentences spoke volumes about the bewildered state of Chicago Cubs left-hander Jon Lester. “Really, what it comes down to is no matter what I say doesn’t justify or sum up what happened,” Lester said after being tagged for seven runs on seven hits – including three home runs – in only 2 2/3 innings of a 15-8 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The thumping occurred after Lester (8-9) appeared to be on one of his typical mid-season surges. But Lester seemed puzzled that he was tagged despite contending he made quality pitches. “A 1-1 fastball to a pitcher who squares it up,” Lester said of his two-run home run allowed to Daniel Norris in his first major league at-bat. “You tip your hat. I threw a two-seamer down and away to Nick Castellanos, and he hits it out to right. I threw a 0-0 curve to the same guy (Castellanos for a grand slam). I think I go back two years, and that’s the first pitch curve hit, let alone home run, I’ve given up. So that pretty much sums it up.” Lester was especially disappointed he couldn’t pitch deeper after Jason Hammel was pulled after only three innings Tuesday night because of a two-hour, 17-minute rain delay that stretched the bullpen. Then there’s the case of the Tigers, who handed Lester with his shortest outing since he lasted only two innings against Texas on April 17, 2012. “I would like to think I’m a very good pitcher, and I made pitches that should be outs,” said Lester, who entered Wednesday’s game with a 4-2 record and 1.92 ERA in his past eight starts. “That being said, they have some good hitters. They have some stats on their side as far as what’s going on. “At the same time, when you need to keep pitches down in the zone, I’ll be the first one to tell you if I throw a ball down the middle that’s belt-high, I’ll be the first one to tell you. I’ll promise you. But I feel within that game I feel there were pitches I made that deserved better results.” Hammel refused to cite the fact that the winds were blowing from the southwest at 15 mph as an excuse. “It’s easy to point fingers at things,” Lester said. “I don’t know (about the wind). Like I said, I’m trying to look at the pitches that were made and the results were there. And it doesn’t quite correspond to what’s going on. You guys can make that out to what it needs to be. No matter what I say doesn’t justify the outcome.” Lester said he would watch a videotape of his game Thursday “with a clear head to see where everything was.” “And if it was the same, you move on. If it wasn’t, you still move on. You got to. This season is too long, and there are too many ups and downs to allow those abomination starts that stick out to affect your season.” Manager Joe Maddon wasn’t worried about Lester and gave all the credit to the Tigers’ offense. “I’m not going to carry this game too far.” Maddon didn’t seem too worried about rookie third baseman Kris Bryant, who fouled a pitch off his foot early in the game but went 4-for-4 with a two-run home run and didn’t seem bothered while running out a triple in the ninth.

“As far as I know, he’s fine,” Maddon said. Bryant is batting .345 in August while leading all major league rookies with 68 RBIs. Meanwhile, fellow rookie Kyle Schwarber became the Cubs’ first player since Bob Speake in 1955 to hit 10 home runs in the first 36 games of his career. -- Chicago Tribune Wednesday's recap: Tigers 15, Cubs 8 By Mark Gonzales Jon Lester was knocked out after 2 2/3 innings Wednesday night as the Tigers collected 21 hits to roll to a 15-8 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Nick Castellanos went 4-for-5 with two home runs and two doubles, and starting pitcher Daniel Norris hit a two-run homer in the second before leaving in the fifth with a right oblique strain. At the plate Dexter Fowler tied a career high with his 13th home run in the third, an opposite-field shot to right field. Kris Bryant followed later with a towering, two-run shot to left, his 17th. Kyle Schwarber led off the seventh a homer over the center field wall, his 10th. On the mound Cubs pitchers allowed 40 hits in their last two games. Left-handed reliever James Russell was tagged for five runs on six hits in 12/3 innings Wednesday. In the field Starlin Castro played the first six innings at second base before moving to shortstop — his original position — in the seventh. Key number 12 — Earned runs Lester has allowed in two starts against the Tigers this year. The quote "(The Tigers) just swung the bats well. That happens sometimes." — Cubs manager Joe Maddon Up next Vs. Braves, 7:05 p.m. Thursday, CSN. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs believe young hitters will show more plate discipline down stretch By Mark Gonzales The Cubs' proficiency at drawing walks has somewhat offset the growing pains of their young hitters. But though they are second overall in the major leagues with 410 bases on balls, they have a majors-high 1,083 strikeouts, including Kris Bryant's 144, the most in the National League and second-most in the majors.

Manager Joe Maddon has seen some signs of better plate discipline and he hopes that will continue as the Cubs enter the final weeks of their playoff drive. The Cubs showed progress in the first month of the season before opponents got a more detailed scouting report on their hitters, Maddon said. "There are a lot of numbers about what we're doing that are very good for a young, inexperienced group," Maddon said. "But still there are those moments when our guys want to do too much or are not able to slow it down to a point they're not going to permit (a pitcher) to take advantage of us." Maddon praised the work of hitting coach John Mallee, who was breaking down video at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Wrigley Field and provides information to the hitters before each at-bat. "You have to talk to them all the time," Maddon said. "Then it's just a matter of taking that information and applying it. "It may not work that last at-bat, but you keep saying the redundancy is the greatest part of teaching. Finally, the light bulb goes on, and the epiphany moment occurs. 'That's what he meant.' And all of a sudden you're able to do it more consistently, and that's going to happen." Rookie Kyle Schwarber, who has drawn 18 walks with 38 strikeouts in 119 at-bats, is trying to strike a balance beneficial to his team. "I don't like to strike out," Schwarber said. "I know they're going to happen. And I like to walk. So I'm always trying to put together long at-bats. Even if you have a nice long at-bat and (strike out), I put that in the win column." •Reliever Rafael Soriano (right shoulder) will start a minor-league rehab assignment next week. -- Chicago Tribune Why the '69 Cubs still matter By Paul Sullivan Today is the 46th anniversary of the Cubs division-clinching win in 1969, or at least what we presumed at the time was the unofficial clincher -- a game that cemented our feeling that this actually was “The Year" we always heard about. Ken Holtzman threw a no-hitter against the Braves before 41,033 at Wrigley Field, leaving the Cubs with an eight-game lead over the Mets and 8 ½ over the Cardinals. Of course, the Cubs did not win the division, falling apart down the stretch in one of the epic collapses in the history of sports. But it sure seemed like a good bet watching the celebration on the field, with players led by Ron Santo, mobbing Holtzman like it was a World Series clincher. A few dozen Bleacher Bums hopped over the left field wall and got in on the action as well. Tribune sportswriter Robert Markus wrote that day that the Bleacher Bums were “always boisterous, but driven to unprecedented fits of frenzy by Holtzman’s feat.” It was quite an unusual no-hit performance. Holtzman struck out no one and said he threw “nothing but fastballs the last few innings.”

But the wind was blowing in and he got several nice defensive plays, as when left fielder Billy Williams went into the well in left in the seventh and caught a would-be home run by Hank Aaron that blew back into the park and ultimately into the well, landing in Williams’ glove. The Tribune game story by Richard Dozer referred to the well as the “concave area where the wall curves into an off set 75 feet from the foul line.” It was a different era for baseball and sportswriting. Sitting in the Cubs’ dugout before Tuesday’s game, I reminded Williams about the catch and we talked about the game. “I remember the catch,” he said. “The two things I remember -- Kenny Holtzman had a good curveball, which he always had, and a good fastball. And the last ball Aaron hit to Glenn Beckert. When we were in the clubhouse we were always laughing at Beckert because he went to the ball and said ‘I’ve got to catch this ball. It’s a no-hitter.’ He was always shaking and stuff. “Any time you have a guy throw a no-hitter, you’re going to have some great plays. Santo probably made some great plays at third base because you had some great hitters on that Atlanta ballclub. The wind was blowing in, so that was in (Holtzman’s) favor. When Aaron hit the ball (to me), the ball was out of the park. You can see it. They show it a lot (on the Wrigley video board). “But I didn’t give up on the ball. I stayed on the ball and came back in. I can still see Aaron kicking the dust (around first), like Joe DiMaggio did, when that ball didn’t go out of the ballpark. Kenny pitched two no-hitters. That sucker was a good athlete. He hit a home run in a World Series (with the A’s).” I still have a yellowed, partially torn Tribune front page from the next day's paper. It has five photos from the day, including one of Santo hugging Holtzman in the clubhouse, and also the three final outs. I'd forgotten Don Young almost ran into Don Kessinger on a pop-up for the first out in the ninth. One of the articles quotes Willie Smith yelling "Break out the champagne" in the clubhouse, adding that Holtzman "settled for a beer." After Ernie Banks died last January, Holtzman, a private man, agreed to send email responses to questions I had about his relationship with Mr. Cub. I also asked him why he thought the ’69 Cubs were still so beloved, even though they didn’t win anything, and in fact crushed a lot of fans’ hearts. “I think the ‘69 Cubs remain a special memory for so many Chicago fans because for 24 years they had been second-division dwellers and now, in the age of the baby boomers and the upheaval of American culture, we were going to be the end of the futility and the beginning of a new era in Chicago sports,” he wrote back. “When it all collapsed at the end, it was so disappointing that many of those fans simply refused to forget the fun and excitement of the first five months of that season and now, as parents and grandparents, that team remains a link to their youth. “Ernie Banks represents the heart and excellence of that team, just like Stan Musial does for Cardinals fans and Roberto Clemente does for Pirate fans.” Kids today probably roll their eyes when oldsters like us drone on about the ‘69 Cubs, just as we might have when our grandparents regaled us with stories about the ’45 World Series. You can’t really blame them. We get it. We’re old. But the kind of passion a 10-year old Cubs fan now feels for Anthony Rizzo, Jake Arrieta, Kyle Schwarber and the rest of the 2015 Cubs mirrors our affection for Banks, Williams, Santo, Holtzman and the '69 Cubs. Hopefully this generation will get a better ending, and someday they can drone on to their grandkids about that great summer in Chicago when they first started thinking this actually is "The Year."

-- Chicago Sun-Times Tigers pounce on pitchers, devour Cubs in 2-game sweep By Gordon Wittenmyer Maybe it was the wind. Maybe it was just the big, bad Detroit Tigers lineup. “I’m just really happy it wasn’t a three-game series,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after the Tigers clobbered the Cubs 15-8 on Wednesday — combining for 25 runs and 40 hits, including eight home runs. “It was like the Phillies [series] returning,” Maddon said, referring to a three-game home sweep to the lowly Phillies (including a Cole Hamels no-hitter) just before the Cubs went on an extended winning run. One night after Jason Hammel lasted just three innings, $155 million Jon Lester couldn’t get out of the third — giving up three home runs, including a solo shot and grand slam in successive innings to Nick Castellanos. Along the way, Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris homered to center of Lester in Norris’ first big-league at-bat. “Yes, Jonny was not on top of his game, but he’s going to be fine,” Maddon said. “I have no concerns whatsoever.” Wednesday night marked the first start for Lester since signing with the Cubs that the wind turned Wrigley Field into a hitter’s paradise. Similar conditions prevailed Tuesday night for Hammel. “I think the bigger effect was the Tigers themselves,” Maddon said. Lester seemed confused at how easily the Tigers seemed to handle some of his better pitches — including Castellanos hitting a grand slam on a first-pitch curve ball in the third. That’s believed to be the first hit off a Lester curve ball since 2013. But the ballpark? “I haven’t seen it like it’s been the last two days. This is the first time for me,” said Lester, who was reluctant to blame conditions for the results. “It’s easy to point fingers at things. I don’t know. I’m trying to look at the p itches that were made, and the results that were there, and it doesn’t quite correspond to what’s going on. “No matter what I say it doesn’t justify the outcome.” It was the Cubs’ third straight loss after having won 15 of their previous 16. Meanwhile, the Pirates won to increase their lead to 4 games over the Cubs for the top wild-card position in the National League. The Cubs still hold a three-game advantage over the Giants for the second wild-card position. Lester had a 1.92 ERA over his previous eight starts. “I’ve been down this road a time or two. I’ve had shorter outings,” Lester said. “The season’s too long and it’s too much of an up-and-down [thing] to allow one of those abomination starts that stick out to affect your season. “Obviously, this is a bad time of the year to have one, and it’s a bad time especially after [Tuesday’s bullpen-heavy game].” --

Chicago Sun-Times Are Cubs’ pitching-depth issues starting to wear thin? By Gordon Wittenmyer Cubs manager Joe Maddon says he’s not concerned. But the Cubs’ rotation – the backbone of the Cubs’ success this year — has suddenly slipped a disk with the most important six weeks of the season left to play. Jason Hammel hasn’t found his form since a July leg injury. Kyle Hendricks has gone back to Class AA video to fix a delivery flaw he’s battled all season. Newcomer Dan Haren is an 86-mph, hold-your-breath-for-five-innings proposition. And even as dominant as Jake Arrieta has been all season, he’ll be adding to a career-high innings total every time he takes the mound the rest of the way, which Maddon admittedly is monitoring. And never mind Jon Lester’s so-called yips, that newly exposed inability to make a routine throw to a base. One start after he survived the Brewers running at will for five steals against him, Lester had his worst outing of the season Wednesday night against the Detroit Tigers, lasting just 2 2/3 innings and giving up seven runs on three homers – including a solo shot and grand slam by Nick Castellanos in back-to-back innings. The Tigers won 15-8 – combining for 25 runs and 40 hits in their two-game sweep. Just like that the Cubs have lost three straight after winning 15 of 16. And just like that, the fourth-ranked rotation in the National League has allowed 22 earned runs – including 10 home runs – in just 20 1/3 innings the last full time through the rotation. Hammel and Lester combined for 5 2/3 innings against the Tigers. The starting crew had a 3.36 ERA this season before that turn. “If there were health issues I’d be more concerned,” Maddon said. “If it was something like, `My shoulder’s barking a bit’ – that’d be my greater concern. “During the course of a year guys are always going to go through some struggles. I think Jason’s very fixable. I think Kyle’s very fixable. And I’ve only known [Haren] briefly, but this guy’s a tremendous competitor, so I have a lot of faith in him, too.” One time through the rotation certainly is a small sample size. And even within that, Arrieta continued his dominant summer with a strong start in a win Saturday. If anything, the time of the year and the Cubs’ precarious position in the standings have heightened the stakes of each week, each game – and the scrutiny on a slumping position area that has been a depth question all year. Even without a starter from the opening rotation going on the disabled list this season, the Cubs’ front office recognized depth as a serious enough issue to add Haren at last month’s trading deadline. On Wednesday they took advantage of former All-Star Trevor Cahill’s availability to add the long struggling right-hander as potential change-of-scenery depth on a minor-league free agent deal. But if it comes to that, it’s probably too late. Hendricks, who has had two productive bullpen sessions since his last start, recognizes the urgency.

“It’s huge. I need to figure this out,” he said. “And it makes it that much more exciting that we’re onto something. That relief is kind of heightened because of what’s at stake.” If the starting pitching is starting to crack, Lester might be the least of the Cubs’ worries. In his previous eight starts, the left-hander had pitched like the $155 million ace the Cubs signed to that big free agent deal in December, with a 1.92 ERA. “I’ve been down this road a time or two. I’ve had shorter outings,” said Lester, shaking his head at the way the Tigers were able to handle some of his better pitches on a rare night of hitter-friendly wind. “The season’s too long and it’s too much of an up-and-down [thing] to allow one of those abomination starts that stick out to affect your season,” he said. “Obviously, this is a bad time of the year to have one, and it’s a bad time especially after [Tuesday’s bullpen-heavy game]. Wrigley Field played like a homer haven with the wind blowing out the past two nights, but neither Maddon nor Lester was willing to blame the lambasted pitching on that. “No matter what I say, it doesn’t justify the outcome,” Lester said, stressing the value of “flushing” Wednesday and preparing for his next start. “I feel like within that game there were pitches that were made that deserved better results than what they were.” For now it’s not going to do the hyper-taxed bullpen any good the next few days against the Braves. And the schedule doesn’t get any easier the rest of the way. “I really think we can work through the issues,” Maddon said. -- Chicago Sun-Times If Chris Coghlan no Utley, maybe he can be a 'Zobrist' for Cubs By Gordon Wittenmyer With long-sought second baseman Chase Utley off to Los Angeles, and off the trade market, the Cubs are left to rely on their own best lefty-slugging options to fill the Utley hole at second. Chris Coughlan, you’re up. “Shoot, I’m not trying to be Utley one bit,” said Coghlan, who has three home runs in his last two starts at second, among a career-high 14 this season. “I’m not trying to do Utley. I’m just trying to do me, that’s it.” To be fair, nobody’s asking Coghlan to be Utley, the six-time All-Star who was traded by the Phillies to the Dodgers on Wednesday for prospects. The Dodgers are paying less than $2 million of the salary left on Utley’s contract. Sources say those are the same terms the Cubs had discussed with the Phillies after a lengthy pursuit of the 36-year-old. Utley held up the process with his no-trade rights, looking for playing-time assurances, and angling for a destination close to his California roots, sources say. The stalemated process broke free after Phillies officials told Philadelphia media Tuesday that they expected Utley to remain with their club the rest of the season. Just because Coghlan’s no Utley, doesn’t mean he’s not a critical factor for the Cubs lineup over the next six weeks sans Utley. “I’m just trying to be the best version of me,” he said.

And that’s the point. Coghlan only made his first start at second for the Cubs two weeks ago as the Cubs shifted Addison Russell to shortstop and benched Starlin Castro. The bigger picture is it’s one of five positions he has played this year, and that versatility provides a value unique to the roster for a manager who loves that kind of player – and who is looking for ways to keep Coghlan’s lefty bat in the lineup (.823 OPS in second half). If he can’t be Chase Utley, he might at least approximate Joe Maddon favorite Ben Zobrist, the super utility guy the Cubs manager leaned on for years with contenders in Tampa Bay. “Of course he could,” Maddon said. “I like the idea of Chris being able to do all those different things. It benefits us and him long term.” Unlike Coghlan, Zobrist is a switch-hitter, and he’s able to play shortstop. Unlike Zobrist, Coghlan can handle the infield corners with more ease. “Yeah, I think I can do that,” said Coghlan, who actually envisioned a return to his infield roots after he had become a full-time outfielder a few years ago. “I told my wife it would be really cool to get back to playing the infield again,” said Coghlan, who was with the Marlins then. “I told her, `The one manager I think would allow me to is Joe Maddon. Look what he did with Ben Zobrist.’ “And then, sure enough, three or four years later, he’s my manager and now he gives me an opportunity to play there. “It’s flattering that he believe in me. I appreciate that. I would love to be able to do that.” -- Daily Herald Cubs' Maddon not concerned about Hammel By Bruce Miles Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he was going to talk with pitcher Jason Hammel about making some adjustments after Hammel lasted just 3 innings in Tuesday night's 10-8 to the Detroit Tigers. According to Maddon, it might be that less is more. "After the first inning, he was probably throwing the ball probably harder than he had in awhile," Maddon said Wednesday. "I think that actually works against him. I think he needs to back off and make better pitches with less velocity, with more effective velocity. When he does that, he's going to be fine." Hammel had been dealing with a hamstring problem, but he said he's feeling fine. "For whatever reason, mechanically, just execution wise, I haven't been getting the ball down in the zone," he said. "We'll go back to the drawing board." Hammel and right-hander Kyle Hendricks are two Cubs starters working through mechanical issues. "If there were health issues, I'd be more concerned," Maddon said. "There are no health issues. That would be my greater concern. During the course of the year, you're always going to go through some struggles.

"I think Jason's very fixable. I think Kyle's very fixable. I've used the word 'competing' before. Danny Haren competes as well as anyone. The guy's a tremendous competitor. So I have a lot of faith in him, too. I really think we can work through the issues of Jason and Kyle easily." Maddon said his message to Hendricks is: "Trust yourself and pitch to contact. That's who you are." He's adjusting: Left fielder-catcher Kyle Schwarber is making the adjustments, both at the plate and in the field. Schwarber was mad at himself for not coming up with a flyball Tuesday. But he also threw out a runner at home plate. At bat, the rookie seems to be adjusting well to what major-league pitchers are throwing at him. "It does get better," he said of the caliber of pitching he's facing compared with the minor leagues. "Obviously, this is the big leagues. There are adjustments I'm going to have to make. It's always something to work on every day to get me better." Getting better is something all of the Cubs' rookies should get, according to Joe Maddon. "If you like what we're doing right now, understand these are really young, inexperienced major-league baseball players," he said. "In my mind's eye, I'm looking at what it's going to look like a year or two from now when they maybe understand all of it. That's what's really exciting." -- Daily Herald Cubs give up 2 losses, 40 hits to Tigers By Bruce Miles Joe Maddon was able to maintain a sense of humor. "I'm just really happy it wasn't a three-game series, that's all," the Cubs manager said Wednesday night after the Detroit Tigers shellacked his team 15-8. And, yes, the Tigers left town immediately after this two-game series. But they busted things up pretty good over two nights, combining for 40 hits and outscoring the Cubs 25-16. Of the Tigers' 21 hits Wednesday, 6 were doubles, 1 was a triple and 5 were homers. Things got so ridiculous that Maddon again used a position player to pitch, sending outfielder Chris Denorfia into the game with two outs in the ninth inning after James Russell took a pounding, perhaps even unfairly, as he had to work more than 1 inning. If there's panic in the streets, we've been down that street before, and recently. "It'd be like the Phillies reborn," Maddon said, referring to the three-game sweep the Cubs suffered in late July, one that sent many fans into crisis mode. "What are you going to do? They hit the ball." The dose of perspective was just as important as the dose of humor. The Cubs (67-51) have lost three in a row. One of those came against White Sox ace Chris Sale. The other two came against a team that hit every baseball that moved for two nights. Another area where some perspective is needed comes with Wednesday night's starting pitcher for the Cubs, Jon Lester.

After putting up a 1.66 ERA in July and starting August with 2 wins, Lester was rocked by the Tigers. He lasted just 2⅔ innings, giving up 7 hits and 7 runs. His exit from the game was greeted by some boos from the Cubs fans in the crowd of 40,310, a crowd that included a large contingent of Tigers supporters. "'Um' pretty much sums it up," said Lester, who fell to 8-9 with a 3.58 ERA. "I don't know. Really when it comes down to it, no matter what I say tonight, it really doesn't justify or sum up anything that happened tonight. You try to step back and come up with answers, come up with reasons. "I want to say I threw the ball down the middle, but there were some good pitches that were made tonight, but they got hit." Nick Castellanos hit a solo homer in the second. Later that inning, Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris hit a 2-run homer in his first career plate appearance, becoming the first American League pitcher to homer at Wrigley Field. The crusher was a grand slam by Castellanos in the third. Lester has been a focal point for some Cubs fans since the beginning of the season, in part because of the $155 million contract he signed last winter. It's not going to be perfect every time out. "The season's too long and it's too much up and down to allow kind of an abomination start that stands out to affect your season," Lester said. "Obviously, this is a bad time of the year to have one." Both before and after the game, Maddon was not wavering from his mantra that his team never gives up. The Cubs got homers from Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant, who added a pair of singles, a walk and a triple. "I am not discouraged by any means," Maddon said. "We got beat up pretty good in the two days. I agree with that." -- Cubs.com Lester tips cap to Tigers, ready to move on By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon has said Wrigley Field can be the biggest ballpark in the world when the wind is blowing in. But on Wednesday night, it was blowing out, and Jon Lester discovered the difference. Lester served up seven runs on seven hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings in the Cubs' 15-8 loss to the Tigers. It was the left-hander's shortest outing since he went two innings April 17, 2012, while pitching for the Red Sox against the Rangers. He gave up three home runs for the first time this season, including one to Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris, who had not had a professional at-bat before facing Lester. It's part of a bad trend. Chicago starters have a 13.06 ERA in the last three starts, and have given up at least three homers in three straight games for the first time since May 29-30, 1956. "You try to step back and come up with answers and come up with reasons," Lester said. "I want to say I threw the ball down the middle, but there were some good pitches made tonight that got hit. I threw a 1-1 fastball to a pitcher, he squares it up -- [you] tip your hat. "I threw a two-seamer down and away to Nick Castellanos and he hits it out to right [in the second]," Lester said. "I throw an 0-0 curveball to the same guy -- I think I can go back two years, and that's the first first-pitch curveball hit, let alone homer, I've given up."

Castellanos connected on that curve in the third for a grand slam, which opened a 7-0 Detroit lead. Lester had been on a roll with a 4-0 record in his five previous starts. He'd given up eight runs over 35 1/3 innings in that stretch, and the Tigers nearly matched that run total. He now has a 6.05 ERA against Detroit in his career, his worst against any team he's faced more than once. "They've obviously been a thorn in my side for a long time," Lester said. "That being said, I've still got to figure out a way to get deeper in that game, especially with how things transpired last night." What happened Tuesday was a three-inning outing by starter Jason Hammel plus a lengthy rain delay that kept the bullpen busy. On Wednesday, Maddon called on outfielder Chris Denorfia to get the final out in the ninth. "Jonny was not on top of his game, but he's fine," Maddon said of Lester. "I have no concerns whatsoever." A notice in the Cubs' clubhouse proclaimed this is "American Legion week." That means the clubhouse will be closed until 3 p.m. CT, with no one allowed in early. Maddon wants players to get their rest, relax, then show up and play. Lester will be in the video room as soon as he can. "Tomorrow, we'll come back and look at it and evaluate it and make sure I'm not going crazy," Lester said, "and at the same time, flush it down the drain, and get back to work." -- Cubs.com Lester's rough start sets tone in loss to Tigers By Carrie Muskat and Greg Garno CHICAGO -- Pitcher Daniel Norris hit a two-run homer in his first professional at-bat and Nick Castellanos smacked a grand slam and a solo home run as the Tigers romped, 15-8, Wednesday night over the Cubs. Rajai Davis and J.D. Martinez also homered for Detroit, which totaled 21 hits to complete a winning two-game trip to Wrigley Field. The Tigers banged out 40 hits -- 19 for extra bases -- in the two games. "The offense showed up; we got a lot of hits," said Tigers manager Brad Ausmus. "They've been good at-bats, they've driven the ball, they've come up with big hits with men on, and they kept tacking even when the Cubs were chasing us back." Norris, who had zero at-bats in either the Major Leagues or Minors, became the first American League pitcher to hit a home run at Wrigley Field. He connected with two outs in the second off the Cubs' Jon Lester, one of five Detroit home runs in the game. But the Tigers lefty had to exit after 4 1/3 innings with a right oblique strain, and did not last long enough for the win. "I'm just really happy it wasn't a three-game series," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "They hit the ball. Everything they hit was hard, far. We played pretty good offense ourselves." Kris Bryant, Dexter Fowler and Kyle Schwarber each homered for the Cubs, but it wasn't enough as they lost their third straight for the first time since July 24-26. With the loss, Chicago is now four games behind Pittsburgh in the National League Wild Card standings. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED He'll take two: Not to be outdone by his pitcher, Castellanos connected on two home runs of his own, including a grand slam in the third. The third baseman led off the second with a solo shot to right field before he hit his second-career grand slam to left in the third. His 12th and 13th home runs marked a career high, while they also marked his first multi-homer game.

Castellanos finished 4-for-5 on the night, adding two doubles to become the first Tiger since Ivan Rodriguez in June 2006 to have four extra-base hits. He collected a hit and two RBIs on Tuesday, and said that, as of late, he's been more effective at staying patient at the plate. "With me, rarely do I ever struggle because my swing is bad," he said. "I struggle because I'm chasing pitches out of the zone. "Baseball is a weird sport. I don't think there's any rhyme or reason, we just, as a team, saw the ball well today." Pitchers who rake: Ausmus noted before the game that Norris could swing the bat well, but even he couldn't have predicted the lefty would hit with the power that he did. Norris' home run sailed to deep center at an estimated distance of 419 feet, according to Statcast™. He's the first pitcher to homer in his first at-bat since Tommy Milone did it in 2011. "The first fastball he threw me for a strike, I looked back at [Cubs catcher David Ross] and said, 'Man, I thought that was in the dirt,'" Norris said. "Might've been senior night in high school or maybe summer ball that year [when I last hit]. Something like that." Slow your roll: Lester served up seven runs on seven hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings, his shortest outing since he went two innings April 17, 2012, while pitching for the Red Sox against the Rangers. The Cubs left-hander gave up three home runs for the first time this season, and was lifted after throwing 62 pitches. He'd been on a roll, entering the game with a 4-0 record and had given up eight runs over 35 1/3 innings in that stretch. The Tigers nearly matched that run total. Lester now has a career 6.05 ERA against Detroit. "They've obviously been a thorn in my side for a long time," Lester said of the Tigers. "That being said, I've still got to figure out a way to get deeper in that game." Hit machines: The Cubs and Tigers combined for eight home runs, the most at Wrigley Field since the Cubs and Padres hit eight on May 28, 2012. Both Bryant and Fowler were one hit shy of the cycle. Bryant totaled a career-high four hits, but could be seen wincing as he ran the bases. Maddon said that was because Bryant had fouled a pitch off his foot early in the game. Fowler is now 13-for-27 with eight runs, five doubles, a triple, two homers and five RBIs in his last seven games. QUOTABLE "If we're going to crawl back into this thing, we're going to have to win. We'll have to put some type of streak together. It doesn't hurt if you're playing teams that you're chasing or that are in the same race. We've got to win." Ausmus on his team's upcoming 11 games against teams with better records in the hunt for the American League Wild Card race. SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS With his 10th home run, Schwarber now has 15 extra-base hits and may catch Bryant and Addison Russell before the season is over. Bryant and Russell each have at least 30, and they're the third Cubs rookie duo since 1990 to have each recorded at least 30 extra-base hits. WHAT'S NEXT Tigers: The Tigers return home for a four-game series against the Rangers on Thursday when they send Alfredo Simon to the mound. Simon hopes to stop a three-game skid in which he allowed a combined 20 earned runs and eight walks, finishing 1-1 in that span. First pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET. Cubs: Jake Arrieta will try for his 12th straight quality start and fourth straight win on Thursday when the Cubs open a four-game series against the Braves. He beat them in Atlanta on July 19, giving up three hits over seven scoreless innings. The right-hander ranks among the National League leaders in innings pitched (162), ERA (2.39) and strikeouts (163). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT.

-- Cubs.com Denorfia helps save 'pen against Tigers By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO -- Chris Denorfia guessed that he hadn't pitched since American Legion ball, but the Cubs asked the outfielder to get the final out in the ninth inning of Wednesday night's 15-8 Cubs loss to the Tigers. In his 777th career game, Denorfia made his first appearance as a pitcher. The Cubs were trailing, 15-7, James Russell had thrown 45 pitches in 1 2/3 innings, and manager Joe Maddon wanted to save his bullpen. "I've maybe thrown two innings in my entire life," Denorfia said. "You look at the scoreboard and see where we're at. The thought crossed my mind the inning before. [Bench coach Dave Martinez] asked me if I would, and obviously, I'd do whatever they want me to do. "I went out there and just made it up," Denorfia said of his repertoire. "I was absolutely terrified. It looks completely different from that side. It looks way farther away. It was fun on a not-so-fun day." His first pitch to the Tigers' Jose Iglesias flashed as a 53-mph fastball on the video scoreboard. He got Iglesias to ground out on the next pitch, which registered at 57 mph. Denorfia didn't peek at the velocity reading. "I didn't look at anything," Denorfia said. "I didn't know who was hitting. I just was trying not to throw harder than 70 [mph]. I threw 53, so I figured I was pretty safe." Denorfia is the second position player to pitch this season for the Cubs, joining catcher David Ross, who did so May 9 in a 12-4 loss to the Brewers and again July 26 in an 11-5 loss to the Phillies. Denorfia will be happy to return to his full-time job as an outfielder. A fan near the Cubs' bullpen razzed him a little during his warm up. "One guy asked me if he could see my fastball, and I said, 'That's all you're getting tonight,'" Denorfia said. -- Cubs.com Maddon: End-of-rotation issues 'fixable' By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO -- Chicago starters Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester have done well, but Jason Hammel, Kyle Hendricks and Dan Haren have had a tougher time since the All-Star break. Is Cubs manager Joe Maddon worried? "If there were health issues, I'd be more concerned," Maddon said Wednesday. "If there was something like, 'My shoulder is barking a bit,' that would be my greater concern." Hammel is 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in his last seven starts, and has not finished the sixth inning in any of those games. Hendricks is reviewing video from his Double-A days to try to get back on track. Haren is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in his three starts with Chicago. "During the course of the year, guys are always going to go through struggles," Maddon said. "I think Jason is very fixable, I think Kyle is very fixable. I've used the word competing, and Danny Haren competes very well. I really think we can work through the issues of Jason and Kyle." • Kyle Schwarber not only is helping the Cubs on offense, but also making it a little easier on the other Cubs rookies.

"It's nice to have him here, because he does well and he takes some of the attention away, and rightfully so," rookie Kris Bryant said of Schwarber, who entered Wednesday with nine RBIs in his last five games, including a three-run home run on Tuesday, and was batting .310. Bryant knows his fellow rookie will experience some valleys along with the peaks. "It's not that easy," Bryant said. "But I don't have to go up there and get a hit every time with runners in scoring position, because he does it every time. It makes it a little easier for all of us." Maddon admitted he can't wait to see how Bryant, Schwarber, Addison Russell and the other rookies play in years to come. "In my mind's eye, I'm looking at what it will look like a year or two from now, when they really understand everything," Maddon said. "Let's keep attempting to teach them the way, accepting the mistakes. If you don't accept the mistakes, you're crazy." Bryant knows all about the ups and downs of the season. After batting .168 in July, he's entered Wednesday hitting .294 in 15 games this month. Bryant knows fans' expectations are high. "It's really good for me to go through this," Bryant said. "I hope people understand that it's good for us to go through this. [Anthony Rizzo] did it -- he struggled. Look at him now, he's one of the best players in the big leagues. Two years ago, he'd probably tell you the same thing I'm saying now. It's all good for us." • The Cubs and Tigers wore throwback uniforms Wednesday from 1945, which was the last year the Cubs played in the World Series. They lost in seven games. It also was the year the so-called "Curse of the Billy Goat" was placed on the Cubs. "I didn't realize that was the year," Maddon said. "It was also the World Series year, wasn't it? Let's bring that back." -- Cubs.com Cubs reportedly sign Cahill to Minors deal By Spencer Fordin Trevor Cahill has found another home. Cahill, a veteran right-hander who has already been traded by Arizona and released by Atlanta this season, has reportedly signed a Minor League deal with the Cubs. Cahill's signing was first reported by Hardball Talk at NBC Sports. The Cubs have not confirmed the pact. Cahill, who was an American League All-Star in 2010, has posted a 64-72 record and a 4.16 ERA in 201 career appearances (173 starts) in the Major Leagues. The 27-year-old went 24-34 with a 4.29 ERA in three seasons with the D-backs, and he was 0-4 with a 7.52 ERA after being acquired by the Braves in April. Cahill, who was released by Atlanta in June, has also pitched in the Dodgers' organization this season. The veteran went 1-3 with a 6.28 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he opted out of his deal with the Dodgers last week. Now, Cahill will try to rebuild his career in the Cubs' Minor League system. --

Cubs.com Arrieta, Cubs welcome Braves to Wrigley Field By Mark Bowman As Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke have grabbed widespread national attention courtesy of the long scoreless streaks they recently produced, Jake Arrieta has steadily strengthened his own National League Cy Young Award resume with an impressive two-month stretch. Arrieta will attempt to extend his success when the Cubs send him to the mound for Thursday night's series opener against the Braves at Wrigley Field. Arrieta has posted a 1.35 ERA and limited opponents to a Major League-low .166 batting average in the 11 starts he has made dating back to June 21. Kershaw and Greinke are the only Major Leaguers to produce a better ERA during this stretch than the Chicago right-hander, who scattered three hits over seven scoreless innings against Atlanta on July 19. Things to know about this game • Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz will be pitching in front of many friends and family members who will travel less than an hour from his native Minooka, Ill., to see him pitch at Wrigley Field for the first time in his career. Blessed with a powerful right arm, Foltynewicz has been victimized by inconsistent command while posting a 6.45 ERA in four starts since being recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. • Foltynewicz will be challenged by a surging Cubs lineup that has recently been fueled by Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber and Dexter Fowler. Schwarber entered Thursday with nine homers through his first 116 career at-bats. • Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman had missed 43 of the club's past 53 games before ending a second disabled-list stint on Wednesday. Freeman has hit five homers in 88 career at-bats against the Cubs. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs got beat up and swept -- but hooray, we're still talking September baseball By Jon Greenberg CHICAGO -- Well, at least Jon Lester now can say he’s the answer to a couple of trivia questions. Who gave up a homer to Daniel Norris -- the young Detroit Tigers starter who came over in the David Price deadline trade -- in Norris' first big league plate appearance? Who gave up the first home run to an AL pitcher at Wrigley Field? “There were some good pitches tonight that got hit,” Lester said after the Chicago Cubs’ 15-8 loss on Wednesday. “Throw a 1-1 fastball to a pitcher, squares it up. Tip your hat.” Norris is only the third pitcher since 1945 to homer in his first at-bat. Tommy Millone last did it in 2011. The Tigers knocked out Lester in the third inning en route to sweeping a two-game series by an aggregate score of 25-16. “I’m just really happy it wasn’t a three-game series, that’s all,” said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. The Cubs’ euphoria over winning 15 times in 16 games had to end sometime, and the Tigers enjoyed their brief visit to windy Wrigley Field, collecting 40 hits -- 19 for extra bases -- in their two victories.

If the series felt longer, it was because both games took up nearly 10 hours, thanks in part to a 2-hour, 17-minute rain delay on Tuesday. With no rain but a steady wind blowing out, Wednesday's game took 3 hours, 48 minutes. The Tigers hit five home runs to the Cubs' three; Dexter Fowler hit his 13th, Kris Bryant his 17th and Kyle Schwarber his 10th. Aside from Norris’ fluke two-run homer to dead center, Lester also gave up a pair of homers to Nick Castellanos, including a grand slam in the third. Lester was pulled after walking Norris and was charged with seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. This was a bit of an anomaly. Going into the game, Lester had a 2.04 ERA in five starts (35 1/3 innings) since the All-Star break. “When it comes down to it, nothing I say tonight will justify or sum up what happened tonight,” Lester said. Maddon wasn’t as bothered. “Jonny was not on top of his game, but he’s fine,” Maddon said. “I have no concerns whatsoever.” One of the more entertaining timeline debates (because who argues sports in bars anymore when you have Twitter?) is Jake Arrieta vs, Lester for the mythical one-game-playoff starter’s spot. But to get to that point, the Cubs will need more from the rest of the rotation. Jason Hammel has struggled recently and hasn’t gotten out of the sixth inning since July 3. Kyle Hendricks is scuffling, and Dan Haren is just a fill-in. Recent Triple-A pick-up Trevor Cahill isn’t the answer. Chase Utley couldn’t pitch, right? The Cubs were lucky San Francisco lost to the Cardinals on Wednesday, staying three games back for the second wild card. However, Pittsburgh won, so the Cubs trail the Pirates by four games in that race. Yes, we’re talking playoffs after a brutal two-game sweep. It got chilly at Wrigley after the sun went down, giving it a fall feel. Maybe I’m just in a September state of mind. The NL wild-card game, the franchise’s starter home of a playoff goal, is seven weeks away, but I’m not going to sleep on the Cubs until September ends. With the window for waiver-trade-deadline deals closing and optimism still high, it’s the perfect time for daydreaming and debating. Before the game, I was arguing the Arrieta-Lester question with a reporter who declared Lester’s playoff experience (2.57 ERA and 1.071 WHIP in 12 playoff starts and two World Series rings) made him the prospective starter. To me, that’s back-of-the-baseball-card logic. Lester will be fine starting the opener of the NL Division Series, should the Cubs get there. If you use his past numbers as predictors, he’s got a 1.63 ERA in four AL Division Series starts and was awful in last year’s AL wild card game. This season, Lester (8-9, 3.58 ERA) has a 1.23 WHIP and good strikeout numbers (153 in 148 1/3 innings) and has been good on the road, as well, with a 3.24 ERA and 1.160 WHIP in eight starts. But I’d roll with Arrieta (14-6, 2.39 ERA), who has a 0.994 WHIP and 164 strikeouts in 162 innings. On the road, he’s 9-1 in 13 starts, thanks to a 2.07 ERA and a 0.977 WHIP. Lester’s maddening “throwing to first” problem tilts the decision in favor of Arrieta.

But again, we’re a month away from really getting into this debate. The Cubs have to get there first, which makes the next seven weeks so entertaining and brings up the other big question: Can the Cubs get to the postseason, and do damage, with this lineup? I was all for getting Utley, and so was the front office, who had been in on him for a month. But the erstwhile Phillies second baseman wanted to return to his native Southern California, and that’s why he ended up with the Dodgers, who gave up a couple of real prospects and some cash to get the deal done. In eight games (seven starts) since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 7, Utley is hitting .484 with six extra-base hits in 31 at-bats. Aug. 7 was also when Chris Coghlan started playing second base in Maddon’s revamped lineup. Over the ensuing 10 games (eight starts), Coghlan is hitting .300 with four extra-base hits, including his pinch-hit triple Wednesday, in 30 at-bats. If the Cubs were gunning for a World Series this season, the inability to get Utley would be a hotter topic. But since the Cubs have a more modest goal, at least for right now, they can go with Coghlan starting against right-handers (he’s 4-for-33 against left-handers), including Gerrit Cole, the presumptive one-game playoff starter for Pittsburgh. Starlin Castro doubled on Wednesday, but no one is expecting much from him this season. Could the mysterious Tommy La Stella, currently rehabbing in Triple-A Iowa, make a difference? Will Javier Baez get some regular at-bats in September? Finally, after years of waiting, we’re talking about September baseball rather than Bears football in August. And here’s the best news I can give you: The Cubs have zero games against the Tigers next month. -- ESPNChicago.com Outfielder Chris Denorfia pitches for Cubs By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs outfielder Chris Denorfia couldn't remember the last time he pitched in an organized game. "I maybe threw two innings in my entire life," Denorfia said after Wednesday's 15-8 loss to the Detroit Tigers. He got his first chance as a professional when manager Joe Maddon brought him in with two outs in the ninth inning to relieve lefty James Russell who had already given up five runs on six hits. "I just went out there and made it up," Denorfia said. "I was absolutely terrified. It looks completely different from that side. It looks way further away. It was fun on a not so fun day." Denorfia got Jose Iglesias to ground out to second base on his second pitch which registered 57 mph. His first pitch was 53 mph. "I didn't look at anything," Denorfia said. "I didn't know who was hitting. I tried not to throw harder than 70." Denorfia figured he had a chance to get on the mound as the Cubs didn't want to waste any more pitchers. He ran down to the bullpen as the ninth inning began.

"One guy (fan) asked if he could see my fastball and I said ,'That's all you're getting tonight,'" Denorfia stated. "I hope that situation doesn't come up again, but yeah, I'll do whatever they want." Denorfia joins catcher David Ross as position players to pitch for the Cubs this season. -- ESPNChicago.com Jon Lester latest Chicago Cubs hurler to struggle By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester chose his words carefully after getting shelled by the Detroit Tigers in a 15-8 loss on Wednesday night. Lester lasted only 2⅔ innings, giving up seven hits and seven runs -- among them three long balls. While displeased with the results, he couldn't bring himself to say he threw a lot of bad pitches. "I'm scratching my head," Lester said in the locker room afterward. "I felt like the pitches made were not to the result of what they were. You take that for what it's worth. "I'm trying to take a look at the pitches that were made and the results that were there, and it doesn't quite correspond to what was going on." If that sounds confusing, it's because Lester didn't want to directly come out and say he deserved a better fate. He knows no one wants to hear he pitched well -- not when his ERA rose to 3.58 after his shortest stint as a Cub. Lester understands what people will think after seeing those numbers, but he's going to say what he believes. If he thought he stunk, he would say so. "No matter what I say, tonight doesn't justify or sum up anything that happened," he continued. "There were some good pitches made tonight that were hit." Lester documented a few of them, including two to Nick Castellanos which left the park. One for a grand slam. "Threw a two-seamer down-and-away to Nick Castellanos, hits it out to right," Lester recalled. "Throw an 0-0 curveball to the same guy. I think I can go back two years and that's the first, first-pitch curveball hit -- let alone a homer I've given up. Pretty much sums it up." Lester wasn't the only hurler on the wrong end of it during the Cubs' mini two-game series with the Tigers. Detroit pounded out 40 hits and 25 runs, prompting Cubs manager Joe Maddon to say he was pleased about one thing. "I'm just really happy it wasn't a three-game series," Maddon joked. "What are you going to do? They hit the ball." It's about the only way the Cubs can look at things considering so many pitchers got touched up for runs, starting with Lester and including Tuesday's starter, Jason Hammel. The alternative presents a much harsher look at the staff right now. Are the Cubs on the verge of going in the wrong direction after dropping three in a row following a nine-game win streak? And is the small sample size of recent struggles on the mound -- especially those of the starting rotation -- something to worry about? According to data compiled by the Elias Sports Bureau, Cubs starters gave up three home runs in three straight games for the first time since 1956. "If there were health issues I'd be more concerned," Maddon said before the game. "There's no health issues. That would be my greater concern. … During the course of the year, guys are always going to go through some struggles." In the past week, each of his pitchers -- save Jake Arrieta -- has had issues. The good hitting weather in Chicago is undoubtedly contributing to some pitching woes, as Tuesday and Wednesday saw the wind blowing harder than any two games this season. But the conditions are the same for both teams, and while the Cubs scored 16 runs themselves, they couldn't match the Tigers' firepower.

"They've obviously been a thorn in my side for a long time," Lester said of his 6.05 career ERA against Detroit. "This season is too long and too much of an up and down to allow one of those abomination starts to stick out [and] affect your season." But we know Lester has had plenty of other struggles mixed in with some great performances. In his last outing, the Milwaukee Brewers stole five bases on him but he shut them down at the plate in a 9-2 win. Wednesday wasn't about the running game; it was about a lot of hard-hit balls. Lester understands when he comes to work on Thursday he has to look at the game film to figure out what went wrong -- but he was sure he threw better than the results showed. "I would like to think I'm a pretty good pitcher, and when I make pitches that should be outs, they should be outs," he said. "There were pitches that were made that deserved better results." It's not just Lester who needs better results right now, it's the entire pitching staff. A few days or even a week doesn't necessarily mean trouble is brewing for the Cubs, but it does give reason to pause. What comes next? Luckily, it's Arrieta on Thursday -- against a new team, the Atlanta Braves. "I think the bigger effect [on the games] was the Tigers themselves," Maddon said. -- ESPNChicago.com Rapid Reaction: Tigers 15, Cubs 8 By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs lost 15-8 to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Here's a quick look at the game. How it happened: Cubs starter Jon Lester got pounded for seven hits and seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. He gave up two home runs to Nick Castellanos, including a grand slam in the third inning. Tigers' pitcher Daniel Norris also homered in his first career plate appearance. The Cubs got three back when Dexter Fowler and Kris Bryant went deep in the bottom of the third, but they left the bases loaded in the fifth, when Anthony Rizzo and Jorge Soler both popped out to end the rally. The Tigers tacked on eight runs in innings six through nine as Jason Motte and James Russell got hit hard. Kyle Schwarber hit his 10th home run of the season in the seventh inning, but it was too little too late. The Cubs pitching staff gave up 21 hits after allowing 19 on Tuesday. What it means: According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Wednesday marked the first time since 1956 that the Cubs' starting pitchers gave up three or more home runs in three consecutive games. That gives you an idea of what's happening on the mound these days, but when Dan Haren does it, it's not a shock. That said, there are a few days every year when Lester gives up a high hit total. With the wind blowing out, it was the wrong day to induce hard contact. Although the Cubs scored plenty of runs, they left a few more on the base paths, and the Tigers simply hit better with men on base the past two days. The top of the Cubs' lineup continues to do its part. Fowler and Schwarber were on base a combined six times, while Bryant had a career-high four hits. Those efforts will go unnoticed if the Cubs keep pitching like this. After a nine-game win streak, the Cubs have dropped the past three games. Tigers' hit total: According to ESPN Stats & Information, Cubs pitching gave up 19 or more hits in back-to-back games for the first time since Sept. 8 and 9, 2000 (Houston). The 40 hits allowed are also the most in a two-game span since June 1990. Daniel Norris: Not only did he hit a home run in his first career plate appearance in the majors, but also it was his first time at the plate in his professional career. He walked in his second at-bat, which ended Lester's night. What's next: The Cubs host the Atlanta Braves for the next four days, beginning with Thursday's matchup between Jake Arrieta (14-6, 2.39) and Mike Foltynewicz (4-4, 5.61).

-- ESPNChicago.com Cubs' Jon Lester back in the spotlight By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- Now that his issues with a pickoff move are no longer just a well-known secret, Chicago Cubs starter Jon Lester is tackling the issue head-on. He was seen practicing throws over to first base on Tuesday in advance of his Wednesday start against the Detroit Tigers. Lester declined to discuss his workout, but his manager believes progress is being made. His pitcher made every pickoff throw without issue. “We have to keep working through it,” Cubs skipper Joe Maddon said. “I want to believe what you just saw out there he’s going to do exactly the same thing in a game as he continues to move forward. If he does it just once successfully like that, I think you’re going to see it more often.” Lester has thrown to first base only three times this season, and two have gone for errors. In his last start, against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, he threw a ball away and the Brewers stole five bases on him. But the Cubs easily won the game, and catcher David Ross even threw one runner out at third when the outcome was still in doubt. Maddon often credits Ross for keeping the opposition in check on the basepaths when Lester is on the mound. Maddon said that Ross' throwing "has gotten a lot better.” Lester’s ERA (3.21) ranks 18th in the National League as he prepares for Wednesday’s start. He has had an up-and-down season, with some masterful performances mixed in with some rough months. April wasn’t kind. Lester battled a dead arm in spring training and then a slow beginning to his Cubs career. “We deserve a little bit of blame for the way he started the season,” general manager Jed Hoyer told ESPN.com’s Buster Olney on a recent podcast. “I think he came to camp to really prove he was worth the money [six years, $155 million]. We probably should have backed him off.” Lester pitched in minor league affairs to work his arm back into shape as spring training came to a close. Then came his Cubs debut on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. He lasted only 4 1/3 innings in a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. His next start was against the Cincinnati Reds, and he threw his first pickoff attempt away. Overall, he went 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA in four April starts. “We should have let him start the season on April 15,” Hoyer said. “We all felt like the excitement of our season, the excitement of Sunday Night Baseball, and the fact that he wanted to make a statement in that first game of the year, that led to us pushing him up by a couple of weeks. And that wasn’t probably a great decision." But Lester came around. May was excellent (1.76 ERA), though June went the other way (5.74). He was stellar in July (1.66), and so far he's been solid in two August starts (2.77). But he has given up a lot of stolen bases, leading the league with 35 steals allowed. His second error throwing to first base sailed past Anthony Rizzo last week, renewing a focus on his mental woes of throwing over. “We all know what’s going on here,” Lester said after the last error. “Have to do a better job.” His manager thinks he will. In the meantime, the Cubs hope that sessions like the one on Tuesday will result in improvement in games. Work is the only way out of it. “It’s just something we’ll continue to do,” Maddon said. “Eventually, hopefully, it will be more comfortable for him, but in the meantime we’ll just keep working on it.”

-- ESPNChicago.com How the Cubs are regaining Chicago's faith By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- The love affair between the Chicago Cubs and their fans is back as they’re in the thick of the playoff race this late in the season for the first time since 2008. That was also the last time they made the postseason, but they’re aiming to change their fortunes, which have included five straight fifth-place finishes. “It’s hard to have a buzz in the ballpark when you’re 20 games under in August,” general manager Jed Hoyer said this week. “Now that we’re in a pennant race, I think the atmosphere here has been amazing, watching it get louder and louder with every passing week, every passing home game.” The Cubs have a firm hold on the second wild-card spot in the National League, with their sights set on moving up. They also have a hold on a fan base that has waited patiently while the current front office rebuilt the team from the bottom up. Now the Cubs are starting to reap the rewards, with the goal of ending the longest championship drought in professional sports, 107 years and counting. “I’ve been waiting,” Cubs fan Scott Murray said outside Wrigley Field on Tuesday. “I know what their plan has been and I want to see it through. It takes a lot to be a Cubs fan.” The team would like nothing more than to appease Murray and the rest of a starving and patient fan base. “I feel like everybody I come across is excited,” reliever James Russell said. “We’re trying to please them. The biggest thing is bringing good baseball back to Wrigley.” Russell sits in the bullpen, where he says the season-ticket holders have been the same whether “we win or lose,” but that hasn’t always been the case. See Steve Bartman and several heartbreaking playoff losses for proof. But the negativity of the recent rebuild is nearly forgotten already. Manager Joe Maddon is a newcomer to the whole scene, and he was embraced even before the Cubs went on a 15-of-17 run in the second half. “It’s constant,” Maddon said of the attention. “At Starbucks today. Dude is sitting there with his headphones on and he wanted a picture for his kid. His kid is a big Cubs fan, so of course you do that. But it’s constant. The fans are very respectful.” One thing Maddon hears often is people calling him “coach.” “Can we inform the public the manager is not coach,” he joked. The Cubs hadn’t exactly cultivated new fans over the past few years, but that’s changing. First baseman Anthony Rizzo is the unquestioned leader of the team and had to play through four ugly seasons of losing before this one. “I think they’re all excited,” he said. “Just overhearing people talk baseball. It feels like the whole city is behind us.” There’s nothing like a pennant race in Chicago. The Cubs haven’t had many over the years, but they can take over the entire town even after the Chicago Bears start playing. That’s hard to do in this city. “You hear the buzz all over,” center fielder Dexter Fowler said. “You look around and notice.” With winning comes tough decisions. The biggest problem for the players and the front office these days? Tickets. “My phone will blow up,” Hoyer said. “I’ll get 25 texts a night. People are just excited about the team. Everyone is asking for tickets. That’s a good thing.”

Several players admitted to getting some “free desserts and stuff like that,” while Maddon says he’ll have a glass of wine bought for him from time to time, but they haven’t seen anything yet. All it takes is one playoff berth. Then things will really take off. “The buzz is here and around the city,” Russell said. “We win the last game of the season? We’ll get whatever we want for free.” --