The Chicago Cubs are among the top-fielding teams in MLB. “When you have a good defense, you start to realize how important it is,” Craig Counsell said.

The Cubs are going shopping this summer, but any move figures to cost them young talent from their highly rated farm system, risky business as the front office tries to think about now and the years to come.

The Under is 2-0-1 in the last 3 matchups between the Red Sox and Cubs. Boston has been trending low, with the Under hitting in 5 of its last 6 games. Chicago has also leaned Under, going 6-1-1 in its last 8 contests. With Crochet on the mound, the Under has cashed in 4 of his last 6 starts. Stick with the trend.

Resetting after the All-Star break has been a challenge for the Red Sox, at least for these first two games at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. After riding the wave of a 10-game winning streak into the break,

Clippers starter Doug Nikhazy (5-6) allowed four run son five hits in 4⅔ innings. He struck out two and walked three.

The impact of Imanaga’s return to the Cubs rotation can’t be overstated. The lefty missed nearly two months after straining a hamstring in early May. While the team continued to play good baseball, it’s clear that Imanaga, when he’s at his best, makes this team look all the more dangerous.

2) The Red Sox offense has scored just one run in two games since returning from the All-Star break. Cubs starter Shota Imanaga tossed 7 scoreless innings. Boston went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left seven men on base.

It got late early Saturday night, as the Cubs jumped on Brayan Bello for three runs thru two innings and never gave up a run on the way to a 6-0 victory. About the only thing that went right was keeping Reese McGuire hitless. He can get his own jollies.

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The Chicago Cubs need to add a third baseman and a pitcher. They could kill two birds with one stone in a huge trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Two and a half years ago, the Cubs signaled that the rebuild was over and they were getting serious about winning by signing Swanson to a seven-year deal worth $177 million.