(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Rundown: Cubs Clicking on All Cylinders, Hoerner & McGwire Honored, MLB Drops All-Star Week Schedule

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterApril 21, 2026

“Shine a light through the eyes of the ones left behind.” — Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John

I get a lot of joy when the Cubs beat the Phillies, and it’s simply because of bygone grudges against the likes of Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Pete Rose, and Larry Bowa. I know Bowa played for the Cubs when Dallas Green imported half of Philadelphia’s roster to Chicago in the early 1980s, including Ryne Sandberg, but I never liked Bowa as a Cub. My angst these days is directed toward Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, who, with a little serendipity, could both be playing for the Cubs today. Yes, that’s sour grapes and nothing else.

I never liked Dickie Noles, either. If I had to rate my favorite ex-Phillies who eventually played for the Cubs it would be Sandberg (respect), Gary Matthews, Bob Dernier, Keith Moreland, and of course, Fergie Jenkins. I’m sorry if you prefer Marlon Byrd or Barry Foote.

Yes, the Cubs and the Phillies have a very intertwined past, but it is the present that most of us care about, and Chicago took care of business once again last night, winning their sixth consecutive game. Dansby Swanson hit a homer, Alex Bregman had two hits, and Colin Rea was stellar once again. Rea, who defines “sixth starter”, has been a pocket ace for manager Craig Counsell for half a decade now. Chicago’s bullpen was also impenetrable once again, thanks to 2.1 shutout innings from Hoby Milner and Corbin Martin. Martin closed it out in a non-save situation, but keep an eye on him while Daniel Palencia recovers from his injury.

I’d like to see the Cubs get a pitcher capable of regularly closing. Ben Brown might be that guy, but Aroldis Chapman could become available. He’ll be expensive, however, because there aren’t many legitimate closers available. Perhaps Phil Maton will be that guy once he’s healthy.

I’ve got a name for you, and he’s previously pitched in Chicago and Philadelphia. That would be Craig Kimbrel, who currently relieves for the hapless Mets. He’s cheap, healthy, on a one-year contract, and has no future in New York. The veteran righty has 440 career saves but currently works in a setup role for Devin Williams. He’s nearly 38 years old, but he’s pitched just 27.1 innings since finishing 39 games for the Orioles in 2024. Kimbrel pitched well for the Astros down the stretch last season, and he’d be a decent upgrade for the Cubs until Palencia is healthy. Plus, Kimbrel reportedly loved playing for the Cubs.

Cubs News & Notes

  • Rea was fired up on Monday night by Chicago’s superb defense.
  • The veteran swingman has moved into the rotation for the second consecutive season amid injury setbacks for Chicago. And, once again, the righty has looked less like a fill-in and more like an arm right at home among starters with more name recognition.
  • Nico Hoerner was named NL Player of the Week, and pitching prospect Mason McGwire was named MiLB Pitcher of the Week. Hoerner was 9-for-26 (.346) on the week with two homers, 11 RBI, and two steals. McGwire, the 22-year-old son of Mark McGwire, has gone 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA through his first four starts for the Low-A Myrtle Beach Pelicans. He has struck out 15 with five walks over 10 innings and could be ticketed for South Bend in the near future. “[Hoerner] had a wonderful week,’’ Counsell said.
  • The Phillies’ losing streak is at six and counting after falling to the Cubs last night.
  • The Red Sox need a third baseman (hello, Matt Shaw) and the Cubs need an impact starter, but unfortunately, the teams do not match up in that particular exchange. The Brewers also need a third baseman, but it’s doubtful Shaw would be made available to Milwaukee.
  • Each of the five NL Central teams is winning at a .571 clip or better, nearly one month into the season. Despite winning their last six games, the Cubs have not opened any distance between themselves and their rivals. The victory against the Phillies lifted them out of a fourth-place tie with the Brewers into a three-way tie for second, a game and a half behind the division-leading Reds.
  • The latest that any division has had all of its teams above .500 is May 29.

Ball Four

Calling this effort insane might be underselling it just a bit.

Central Intelligence

How About That?

The Phillies and MLB announced the full All-Star Week schedule.

The Mets are hoping to activate outfielder Juan Soto before Wednesday’s game.

Munetaka Murakami is the first player since at least 1900 with five or more home runs and 20+ walks in his first 22 career games. The slugger has been a steal for the White Sox, at least so far.

On Sunday, Guardians catcher Austin Hedges proposed to his girlfriend on the field after helping Cleveland to an 8-6 win over the Orioles.

Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz will miss at least three months because of “loose bodies” in his throwing elbow.

Apropos of Nothing

On this date in 1996, the Chicago Bulls earned their then-record 72nd win of the season.

Extra Innings

Swanson is hitting the loudest .192 since Dave Kingman played for the Cubs.

They Said It

  • “It’s a rule to help offense, I think, more than anything, if you ask me. And then there’s one team that’s allowed to carry basically one of both, and that he gets special consideration. Which is probably the most bizarre rule. … For one team.” – Counsell
  • “The thing is, it certainly benefits us because we have the player. … We’re more than willing for other teams to go out and find a player who can do both. He’s an exception because he’s an exceptional player. It is what it is.” – Roberts
  • “Good baseball is [contagious]. There are so many different ways to bring energy to a group and to a game. You can do it defensively by making plays, [or] offensively by hitting the ball hard. You can do it by stealing bases [and] by taking extra bases, [or] by shutting teams down. There are so many ways to do it, and this team is really, really good at [all of them]. “ – Swanson

Tuesday Walk-Up Song

Still a big fan of the late, great Eddie Money.

 

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterApril 21, 2026
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