SB Nation Chicago - Cubs Vs. Mets: Chicago Loses Rout, 17-1https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48877/chicago-fave.png2012-06-28T10:12:01-05:00http://chicago.sbnation.com/rss/stream/28808602012-06-28T10:12:01-05:002012-06-28T10:12:01-05:00Yasiel Puig Signing: Dodgers Nab Cuban OF For $40 Million, According To Report
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<p>Cuban outfielder Yasel Puig signed a multi-year deal worth more than $40 million with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Los Angeles Dodgers</a>, according to <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120628&content_id=34081436&vkey=news_la&c_id=la&tcid=tw_article_34081436">Jesse Sanchez</a> of MLB.com. Puig was officially declared a free agent by Major League Baseball on Thursday, and prior to his deal with the Dodgers the 21-year-old prospect was<a target="_blank" href="http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2012/6/28/3122883/yasel-puig-rumors-chicgo-cubs-chicago-white-sox-mlb-2012"> linked</a> to the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">Chicago White Sox</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>.</p>
<p>The $40 million figure exceeds the value of the deals for <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> and Jorge Soler, who signed for $36 million and $30 million, respectively. As Sanchez points out, the Dodgers had to move quickly on the deal and will need to finalize it before Monday in order to avoid restrictive new CBA guideliens:</p>
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<p>In order to avoid being subject to new CBA guidelines that will limit spending on international prospects to $2.9 million per team without penalty, Puig must sign the record-setting deal, have the contract approved by Major League Baseball and pass a physical before Monday.</p>
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<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>, and for more from around Major League Baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. For the latest on trade rumors and transactions, visit <a href="http://mlbdailydish.com/">MLB Daily Dish</a></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/28/3123307/yasiel-puig-signing-dodgers-40-millionSteve von Horn2012-06-27T17:25:53-05:002012-06-27T17:25:53-05:00Cubs Vs. Mets Final Score: Chicago Gets Rocked, 17-1
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> came into Wednesday afternoon looking for their second sweep of the season. They didn't even come close, losing 17-1 to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> in an absolute beatdown at Citi Field on Wednesday. While the Cubs still won the series, they didn't do their run differential any favors in a brutal pitching performance.</p>
<p><span>Jeff Samardzija</span>, who looked so good early in the season, has seen the wheels come off lately. He allowed nine runs over 4.1 innings on Wednesday, with the Cubs losing for the seventh time in his past eight starts. On June 5, Samardzija's ERA sat at a sparkling 3.13, but it's risen all the way to 5.06 after four consecutive subpar performances.</p>
<p>The Cubs' offense didn't help much, with <span>Jon Niese</span> and <span>Ramon Ramirez</span> combining to allow just one run over the course of the game. <span>Darwin Barney</span> had a pair of hits and <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> hit his second career double, but that about sums up the team's production for the day.</p>
<p>New York exploded offensively, meanwhile, with four different players contributing all of the team's 17 RBI. <span>Daniel Murphy</span> led the way with a double, two homers and four RBI, with <span>David Wright</span>, <span>Ike Davis</span> and <span>Scott Hairston</span> knocking in the remainder of the team's runs.</p>
<p><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">For updates, stay tuned to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;" href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>, and for more from around Major League Baseball, head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. For the latest on trade rumors and transactions, visit <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlbdailydish.com/">MLB Daily Dish</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">.</i></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/27/3121972/cubs-mets-final-score-mlb-2012Satchel Price2012-06-27T11:39:44-05:002012-06-27T11:39:44-05:00Anthony Rizzo And The Cruel Encumbrance Of Unbridled Hype
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<p>Chicago Cubs super prospect Anthony Rizzo made his highly anticipated debut at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell just hopes local baseball fans aren't again burned by oversized expectations.</p> <p>How quickly time is able to wash away the sands of failure. If you're burdened with the hardship of being a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> fan in 2012, you'd think <span>Anthony Rizzo</span>, the club's 22-year first baseman who was threatening for the triple crown at Triple-A Iowa, was a prospect of unparalleled heights. And why not. As the Cubs made a habit of losing seven out of every 10 games over the first three months of the season, the North Siders' campaign devolved into a bizarre series of stakeouts. After all, it was better than watching the games.</p>
<p>There was Draft Watch, which led the club to Miami-bred high school outfielder Albert Almora with the No. 6 overall pick. There was Jorge Soler Watch, which also went the Cubs' way when Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer signed the 20-year old Cuban to a nine-year deal. All of it was dwarfed by the hype surrounding Rizzo, which reached deafening pitches as the team's top prospect posted a .342 batting average to go along with 23 homers and 62 RBI in the Pacific Coast League. When Rizzo was finally called to the majors to make his Chicago debut on Tuesday night, it felt impossible not to mock the hoopla with some hackneyed pun. It also felt like something special might be starting.</p>
<p>Not all prospects are created equal, to be sure, but both sides of town have been through this game before. In Chicago, it rarely works out. I remember going to U.S. Cellular Field for Gordon Beckham's first game in the big leagues. The group I was with said things like "we'll tell our grandkids about this some day!"</p>
<p>Do future generations really need to know about a second baseman with a .297 on-base percentage? I would hope not.</p>
<p>Indeed, you could fill an entire baseball diamond with much hyped busts just from our fair city. Off the top of my head:</p>
<p>SP Mark Prior<br>C <span>Miguel Olivo</span><br>1B Hee-Seop Choi<br>2B <span>Bobby Hill</span><br>SS Gordon Beckham<br>3B <span>Josh Fields</span><br>LF Felix Pie<br>CF Corey Patterson<br>RF Joe Borchard</p>
<p>A much harder exercise? Filling the diamond with ones who panned out. Chicago: where quarterbacks and the optimistic dreams of young highly-touted baseball players come to die. Someone put that on a billboard.</p>
<p>Rizzo seems different. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. This baseball season is certainly turning into the Year of the Prospect, with 19-year old outfielder <span>Bryce Harper</span> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzbhjzsyvGk">clowning bros</a> left and right in Washington and 20-year old outfielder <span>Mike Trout</span> immediately becoming one of the American League's most dangerous hitters in Anaheim. Is R-to-the-Izzo next in line?</p>
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<center> <b>O'Donnell:</b> <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-white-sox/2012/6/25/3115573/kevin-youkilis-changes-sox-as-the-south-side-rejoices">Kevin Youkilis Changes Sox As The South Side Rejoices</a> </center>
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<p>Potentially, though it almost seems unfair. Harper was considered a once-in-a-generation talent. Trout was a consensus top three prospect heading into the season. Take a look at those same prospect rankings from a few months ago, and you'll quickly realize Rizzo was never predestined for Cooperstown in the way some may like to believe.</p>
<p>Baseball America had Rizzo as the<a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/top-100-prospects/2012/2612998.html"> 47th best prospect in the game</a> heading into the season. The official website of the MLB <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/">had him at 29</a>. I couldn't find a single publication that ranked Rizzo in the top 20. Are we certain all this hype is fair?</p>
<p>Of course, these rankings are always fluid, and production has a way of changing everything. Rizzo hit just .141 in 49 games last season as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>. After being brought to the the North Side in exchange for flame-throwing pitcher <span>Andrew Cashner</span> this offseason, Rizzo quickly decimated minor league pitching, leaving the PCL as the leader in home runs, OPS, slugging percentage and total bases.</p>
<p>His initial failure in San Diego could certainly be beneficial in the long run. In fact, the Cubs are counting on it. But when you've been living and dying with Chicago baseball for a couple decades, you know how uncertain these things are, no matter how ironclad the minor league statistics would appear.</p>
<p>While Internet snark can be grating, it's important to keep perspective. It's important to laugh. Local TV stations played montages of Rizzo taking batting practice soundtracked by music that would be more appropriate for a lightsaber duel. Local bars spelled out his name on the across the marquee. Fans attended his first big league game in Chicago already wearing his jersey. This is all a little ridiculous, particularly for someone who is barely old enough to legally drink.</p>
<p>Lest you forget that Anthony Rizzo is just a kid, it only took one post game interview. With a mound of reporters circling around his locker, asking questions about his Wrigley debut, Rizzo did exactly what I would have done. He dropped a <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rookie_of_the_Year_%28film%29">"Rookie of the Year"</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0627-cubs-mets-chicago--20120627,0,3088046.story">reference</a>.</p>
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<p>"It was awesome," he said. "My first thoughts coming in here was the sight of that green door opening like 'Rookie of the Year,' the movie. I didn't see that. I got lost coming in. But it was a lot of fun today."</p>
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<p>After a debut that included a pair of hits and a game-winning RBI double (it was the fourth inning, but still), there's no reason be cynical. Rizzo just might be the real deal. But it's important to remember that baseball is not professional basketball: one player can't make that big of a difference. Even Barry Bonds during his most juiced up, Ruthian phase couldn't lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> to a championship.</p>
<p>Rizzo is a piece, and the first one that really becomes a referendum on Epstein and Hoyer's regime on the North Side. He appears just as unlikely to become Hee-Seop Choi as Roy Hobbs. The truth lies somewhere in between.</p>
<p><b><i>Ricky O'Donnell is the editor of </i></b><a target="_blank" href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a><b><i> and the founder of the Chicago sports blog </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tremendousupsidepotential.com/">Tremendous Upside Potential</a><i>. Follow him on </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.twitter.com/tup_ricky">Twitter</a><i> or reach him at richardpodonnell@gmail.com. </i></b></p>
https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/27/3119330/anthony-rizzo-chicago-cubs-stats-first-game-metsRicky O'Donnell2012-06-27T11:29:51-05:002012-06-27T11:29:51-05:002012 Cubs Transactions: Chicago Sends Wells Down, Recalls Dolis
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The </span><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Chicago Cubs</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">' promotion of star 1B prospect </span><span>Anthony Rizzo</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> has grabbed the headlines, but the Cubs made another minor league move on Wednesday that will slightly alter the makeup of the team. The Cubs announced that they have demoted starter </span><span>Randy Wells</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> and called up reliever <span>Rafael Dolis</span>.</span></p>
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<p>Wells designated and Dolis coming back up.</p>
— Doug Padilla (@ESPNChiCubs) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNChiCubs/status/217996609378721792" data-datetime="2012-06-27T15:03:36+00:00">June 27, 2012</a>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Wells has been disappointing during his time up in Chicago, giving up six earned runs in 6.2 innings in his two most recent starts. Dolis was sent down to the minors after a particularly disastrous turn as Chicago's closer, but he can help the Cubs in high leverage situations and has considerable more upside than does Wells.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;" href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>, and for more from around Major League Baseball, head over to <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. For the latest on trade rumors and transactions, visit <a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;" href="http://mlbdailydish.com/">MLB Daily Dish</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/27/3120976/2012-cubs-transactionsJordan Sargent2012-06-27T11:11:11-05:002012-06-27T11:11:11-05:00Cubs Vs. Mets Lineups: Rizzo Batting Third For Chicago On Wednesday
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<p><span>Anthony Rizzo's</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> debut got off to a roaring start on Tuesday night, as he picked up two hits and drove in the game-winning run. The young first basemen will be back in the three-hole on Wednesday afternoon as he faces a tough lefty in </span><span>Jon Niese</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> of the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Here are today's lineups for both the Cubs and Mets:</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Cubs</b></p>
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<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Joe Mather</span>, CF</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Starlin Castro</span>, SS</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;">Anthony Rizzo, 1B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Alfonso Soriano</span>, LF</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Jeff Baker</span>, RF</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Geovany Soto</span>, C</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Darwin Barney</span>, 2B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Luis Valbuena</span>, 3B</span></font></li>
<li><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Jeff Samardzija</span>, P</span></font></li>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;"><font color="#333333" face="Helvetica, Arial, Liberation Sans, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><b>Mets</b></span></font></p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Andres Torres</span>, CF</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Ruben Tejada</span>, SS</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>David Wright</span>, 3B</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Lucas Duda</span>, RF<br></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Ike Davis</span>, 1B</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Scott Hairston</span>, LF<br></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Daniel Murphy</span>, 2B</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;"><span>Josh Thole</span>, C</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 10px;">Jon Niese, P</span></span></li>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Chicago</a>, and for more from around Major League Baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>. For the latest on trade rumors and transactions, visit <a href="http://mlbdailydish.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">MLB Daily Dish</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/27/3120923/cubs-vs-mets-lineups-mlbJordan Sargent2012-06-27T10:07:21-05:002012-06-27T10:07:21-05:00Cubs Vs. Mets Preview: Cubs Can Complete Sweep On Wednesday
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">The </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> have only won three games in a row once this season, when they swept the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> at home at the end of May. They can change that on Wednesday with a win over the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, which would give them both their second sweep and second three-game win streak of the 2012 season.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Leading the charge for the Cubs will be <span>Jeff Samardzija</span> who has struggled lately after a stellar start to the 2012 season. In his last three starts, Samardzija has given up 16 earned runs and 20 hits in just 14 innings. The good news for both Samardzija and the Cubs is that today's game is taking place in Wrigley Field, where Samardzija's season ERA is 2.36.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Opposing him for the Mets will be lefty <span>Jon Niese</span>. Niese has been on the opposite trajectory of Samardzija of late, allowing only six earned runs in 26.1 innings in four June starts.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Game date/time: </b>Wednesday, June 27, 1:20 p.m. CT</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>Location: </b>Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><b>TV: </b>CSN</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Chicago</a>, and for more from around Major League Baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>. For the latest on trade rumors and transactions, visit <a href="http://mlbdailydish.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">MLB Daily Dish</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/27/3120754/cubs-vs-mets-preview-mlbJordan Sargent2012-06-27T08:36:06-05:002012-06-27T08:36:06-05:00Yasel Puig Update: Cuban Prospect Officially Free Agent
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Cuban prospect Yasel Puig was officially declared a free agent by Major League Baseball by establishing temporary residency in Mexico, </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120626&content_id=33976710&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_33976710">according</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com. Sanchez also reports that Puig, who can begin negotiating with MLB clubs, could have an agreement as early as Friday, although a deal can't officially be signed until Puig is unblocked by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Time is of the essence for Puig, who will be rushing to put his name on a dotted line before July 2. Prior to that date, Puig can sign for an unlimited amount of money, and it's being reported that he's seeking a deal in the $30 million range like recent fellow Cuban free agents Yeonis Cespedes and Jorge Soler. But after July 2, the new CBA guidelines kick in, and Puig could not receive more than $2.9 million without his new team incurring a penalty.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">SB Nation Chicago</a>, and for more from around Major League Baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">Baseball Nation</a>. For the latest on trade rumors and transactions, visit <a href="http://mlbdailydish.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #03406b; font-weight: bold;">MLB Daily Dish</a></i><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent;">.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/27/3120531/yasel-puig-update-mlbJordan Sargent2012-06-26T22:34:35-05:002012-06-26T22:34:35-05:00Mets Vs. Cubs Final Score: Chicago Gets 5-3 Win In Anthony Rizzo's Debut
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<p>All eyes were on highly touted prospect <span>Anthony Rizzo</span> in his first game as a member of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a> on Tuesday night, and the 22-year old first baseman did not disappoint. Rizzo finished 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the fourth inning as the North Siders earned a 5-3 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> at Wrigley Field. The Cubs move to 26-48, while the Mets fall to 39-36.</p>
<p>The Cubs fell behind 2-0 until a three-run third inning put them back in front. After the Mets tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the fourth thanks to a sacrifice fly by <span>David Wright</span>, Rizzo's shot would put Chicago in front for good. </p>
<p>Starter <span>Randy Wells</span> was chased after throwing 79 pitches in just three innings and allowing six hits and three runs while striking out three and walking four.</p>
<p>Reliever <span>Scott Maine</span> was credited with the victory, and <span>Carlos Marmol</span> nailed down his fifth save of the season in the ninth to secure the victory.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://chicago.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Chicago</a>. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit <a href="http://bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue</a> and <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/">Mets blog Amazin' Avenue</a>. And for more from around Major League Baseball, head over to <a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/">Baseball Nation</a>. For the latest on trade rumors and transactions, visit <a href="http://mlbdailydish.com/">MLB Daily Dish</a></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://chicago.sbnation.com/chicago-cubs/2012/6/26/3120006/mets-vs-cubs-final-score-anthony-rizzo-stats-first-gameRicky O'Donnell