Articles by Ryan O'Rourke
Pete Crow-Armstrong draws impressive comparison from Andrew McCutchen that Cubs fans will love
Pete Crow-Armstrong is just weeks away from cementing a historic 40-40 Chicago Cubs season with an MVP Award. His performance in the playoffs was deeply disappointing, but the sting of that will soon be left behind for the celebration of everything he accomplished with the bat and while roaming center field.
4 individual Cubs storylines worth celebrating from an otherwise imperfect 2026 season
To say the end of the 2026 Chicago Cubs season left a bad taste in everyone's mouth would be the understatement of the century. The year, by most standards, was an abject failure. Craig Counsell's club not only failed spectacularly to catch the Milwaukee Brewers, but they couldn't even surpass their 2025 selves, ending with a worse record and playoff finish despite some big new additions.
Disney's R-rated Marvel series officially renewed for 2 more seasons
Disney recently dealt a major blow to its R-rated Marvel television slate. Despite going strong for two seasons and working ahead on its third , it was abruptly announced last month that Daredevil: Born Again 's upcoming 2027 run would be its last .
Shota Imanaga pours his heart out to Cubs fans with an offseason goodbye feeling necessary
The 2026 Chicago Cubs' season didn't end in the way anyone wanted. After two lifeless games against the San Diego Padres in the wild card after a rough September, the Cubs will be spending October at home. The highest-scoring offense in baseball broke at the worst time after a season of injuries and inconsistency.
Wild Card series should remind Cubs why Adrian Morejon is worth splurging on this offseason
Much of the discussion about how the Chicago Cubs matched up with the San Diego Padres heading into the Wild Card round came down to the Friars' bullpen. Like last year, they once again have one of the best units in baseball that can shorten a game significantly when given a lead. They ended the year top five in ERA and top two in FIP, behind only the Red Sox, and once again employed the highest-profile reliever around in Mason Miller.
Disney+’s 10/10 ‘Adventure Time’ Spin-Off Officially Returns With New Sneak Peek [Exclusive]
It's almost time to return to the Land of Ooo once more! Earlier this year, Cartoon Network Studios brought Adventure Time back to basics with its new …
'Twilight' star officially reveals the story behind her last-minute MCU role [exclusive]
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Cubs face major Marquee Sports Network change after Taylor McGregor leaves for ESPN
Thursday afternoon's game at Wrigley Field was one to remember for the Chicago Cubs. Not only did the team finally clinch their second postseason berth in a row after two gruelling games with the Miami Marlins, but they did so in their final home game of the year and on the day Pete Crow-Armstrong carved his name into history with his 40th stolen base. Between the champagne popping and 40-40 celebration, however, there was more bittersweet news for the Marquee Sports Network team.
Cubs, Red Sox doubleheader adds another wrinkle to final push for Wild Card seeding
While the Chicago Cubs are a virtual lock to make the playoffs, sitting with a magic number of one, the expectation is that they will need to play out their remaining scheduled to determine seeding in the NL Wild Card. Complicating those matters is the weather forecast in Boston this weekend, and it would seem that Major League Baseball has made a decision. The Boston Globe's Tim Healey reports that the Cubs and Red Sox are planning to play a doubleheader on Friday.
ABC's ‘High Potential' replacement officially becomes a streaming hit
The rollout of ABC 's fall season has officially begun. Monday Night Football's return on September 14 marked the start of a new slate of television that will continue to filter in as the weather turns colder. The next big date to look forward to in terms of scripted primetime content will be Scrubs ' Season 2 premiere on September 30, bringing two episodes of the medical comedy reboot, followed by the return of Abbott Elementary on October 7 and the franchise on October 15 .
Cubs hitting coach reveals turning point that sent Pete Crow-Armstrong into MVP conversation
Pete Crow-Armstrong is putting the finishing touches on a year to remember for the Chicago Cubs. On Wednesday, he added yet another standout performance with two home runs and a triple, raising his OPS by 18 points to .956 heading into this weekend's series in Cincinnati. That's an impressive feat considering how deep into the season we are, but it was more than that.
Cubs hitting coach reveals turning point that sent Pete Crow-Armstrong into MVP conversation
Pete Crow-Armstrong is putting the finishing touches on a year to remember for the Chicago Cubs. On Wednesday, he added yet another standout performance with two home runs and a triple, raising his OPS by 18 points to .956 heading into this weekend's series in Cincinnati. That's an impressive feat considering how deep into the season we are, but it was more than that.
Cubs' remaining schedule leaves little margin for error in tightening NL Wild Card race
At last, the Chicago Cubs are nearing the end of the rollercoaster. 2026 has not been a smooth ride, to say the least, with high highs that included two ten-game winning streaks and devastating lows, like, well, the ten-game losing streak right after and the many pitching injuries. Yet, here they stand with only ten games remaining in the regular season, still clinging for dear life to the first Wild Card spot .
Cubs' remaining schedule leaves little margin for error in tightening NL Wild Card race
At last, the Chicago Cubs are nearing the end of the rollercoaster. 2026 has not been a smooth ride, to say the least, with high highs that included two ten-game winning streaks and devastating lows, like, well, the ten-game losing streak right after and the many pitching injuries. Yet, here they stand with only ten games remaining in the regular season, still clinging for dear life to the first Wild Card spot.
'Foundation' star officially goes dark in brutal first look at new horror film [exclusive]
Sports and horror are a particularly rare pairing, yet after last year's football-centric Him took the field, Fantastic Fest is about to give genre fans their second combination of the two in as many years. Bloody Tennis will attempt to take the niche subgenre and serve up a winner in its North American premiere at the country's most prestigious event for genre filmmaking.
Power ranking potential Cubs playoff opponents, from most to least afraid of
While the Chicago Cubs got within striking distance of the division for a split second, any hopes of winning the NL Central have since been dashed. In short order, the Milwaukee Brewers pulled away once again and, after a catastrophic loss on Tuesday night and follow-up effort on Wednesday, the division race is over. The Wild Card remains their only hope in making noise in the postseason, yet Craig Counsell's club's seeding is now more in flux than ever.
Cubs have one roster move staring them in the face that needs to happen immediately
On Wednesday night, with the Chicago Cubs in the middle of a potentially improbable comeback against the Milwaukee Brewers in the ninth, Craig Counsell made the controversial call to go to B.J. Murray Jr. off the bench against Abner Uribe. Since being added to the big-league roster as part of September call-ups, the young utility player has only notched a single hit in ten plate appearances and has looked overmatched by the highest level of pitching thus far.
Cubs could find perfect offseason fit among Japan's next wave of MLB stars
Right now, the Chicago Cubs' top priority is focusing on making the playoffs and setting their squad up for success in October. However, that doesn't mean they aren't keeping the offseason in the back of their mind. Jed Hoyer and company will have some work to do to restock with so many players hitting free agency, including Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and most of their starting rotation, including trade acquisitions David Peterson, Kevin Gausman, and Clay Holmes.
Owen Caissie should be cautionary tale for Cubs before making offseason decisions
Before the Chicago Cubs faced off against the Miami Marlins this weekend, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Pedro Ramirez, Matt Shaw, and BJ Murray Jr. got the chance to catch up with one of their old Iowa Cubs teammates. Owen Caissie was in the ballpark, even as he continued to battle through recent neck spasms, and was at least able to catch up with his friends and make a pinch-hit appearance against his former team Friday.
David Peterson has become the perfect low-cost Cubs reunion candidate for 2027
Ever since the Chicago Cubs reinvented their rotation at the trade deadline, Clay Holmes' name has been brought up time and again as a starter worth keeping around beyond 2026. The reasoning is obvious — the former Met is a ground-ball demon that, so far, has been pitching exactly as hoped in front of this elite defense.
Pete Crow-Armstrong makes yet more Cubs history with second Player of the Month win
There's little else to say about Pete Crow-Armstrong at this point other than that he's authoring what will go down as one of the greatest seasons Chicago Cubs fans have ever seen. The 24-year-old has accomplished things the likes of Sammy Sosa, Ernie Banks, and more haven't managed over the past 150 years of the organization's existence, from being the youngest player in franchise history with a three-homer game to becoming the first to record back-to-back 30-30 seasons.
Pete Crow-Armstrong makes yet more Cubs history with second Player of the Month win
There's little else to say about Pete Crow-Armstrong at this point other than that he's authoring what will go down as one of the greatest seasons Chicago Cubs fans have ever seen. The 24-year-old has accomplished things the likes of Sammy Sosa, Ernie Banks, and more haven't managed over the past 150 years of the organization's existence, from being the youngest player in franchise history with a three-homer game to becoming the first to record back-to-back 30-30 seasons.
Cubs watched one trade deadline target get away and he's been dominant since
It's hard to be too upset about how the Chicago Cubs' trade deadline went down. Before time was up, Jed Hoyer overhauled the team's greatest weakness , first adding David Peterson in June as a stopgap before landing two of the top rental pitchers in Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes. Those additions have, for the most part, looked solid on the North Side.
Cubs watched one trade deadline target get away and he's been dominant since
It's hard to be too upset about how the Chicago Cubs' trade deadline went down. Before time was up, Jed Hoyer overhauled the team's greatest weakness, first adding David Peterson in June as a stopgap before landing two of the top rental pitchers in Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes. Those additions have, for the most part, looked solid on the North Side.
Cubs' 150th anniversary team has one omission that's impossible to ignore
With the United States enjoying its 250th birthday this year, it also means the Chicago Cubs are taking part in their own festivities for 150 years of existence. Part of that celebration took place on Monday with the reveal of the official 150th anniversary team as voted by the fans. This ceremonial roster consists of 40 players (including three managers) who made their mark as franchise greats throughout their years in the National League.
Cubs' Marquee broadcast gets plenty right but one annoyance still lingers
A rollercoaster year of Chicago Cubs baseball has given Marquee Sports Network a lot of material to work with in 2026. Whether it's the regular duo of Boog Sciambi and Jim Deshaies on the call or Alex Cohen stepping in as a backup, the broadcast booth has routinely risen to some big moments, from the league-leading 13 walk-off wins to spectacular defensive plays by Pete Crow-Armstrong, Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner, and more.
Cubs' farm system has unsurprisingly cratered in MLB's post-deadline rankings
There's no arguing that Jed Hoyer came away a winner from the MLB trade deadline on paper. With the acquisitions of rental starters Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes, controllable fireballer Ryan Zeferjahn, platoon outfielder Tyrone Taylor, and a long-term wild card for the pitching staff in Braxton Garrett, the front office addressed just about every need the Chicago Cubs had before the final stretch of the season.
Cubs may not need to overthink their 2027 catching plans thanks to Miguel Amaya
In a position player group dominated by superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong , the Chicago Cubs' steady catching tandem has flown a bit under the radar. Carson Kelly remains excellent behind the dish as one of the best ABS challenge users in the sport while still hitting .265/.350/.382 with a 109 wRC+, good for 14th among all backstops with 190 or more plate appearances. Yet, right behind him, Miguel Amaya has quietly continued to build on a promising, if injury-limited, 2025 campaign.
Cubs may not need to overthink their 2027 catching plans thanks to Miguel Amaya
In a position player group dominated by superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Chicago Cubs' steady catching tandem has flown a bit under the radar. Carson Kelly remains excellent behind the dish as one of the best ABS challenge users in the sport while still hitting .265/.350/.382 with a 109 wRC+, good for 14th among all backstops with 190 or more plate appearances. Yet, right behind him, Miguel Amaya has quietly continued to build on a promising, if injury-limited, 2025 campaign.
One Cubs trade deadline target they whiffed on, but will chase during the offseason
Jed Hoyer just put together the most aggressive trade deadline of his career as the Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations, checking off just about every need fans could want. He added two veteran rentals for the top of the rotation, swung a big deal for Ryan Zeferjahn to be their new strikeout artist in the bullpen for years to come, and even landed a right-handed bat in Tyrone Taylor to cover for Matt Shaw's prolonged absence.
One Cubs' trade deadline target they whiffed on, but will chase during the offseason
Jed Hoyer just put together the most aggressive trade deadline of his career as the Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations, checking off just about every need fans could want. He added two veteran rentals for the top of the rotation, swung a big deal for Ryan Zeferjahn to be their new strikeout artist in the bullpen for years to come, and even landed a right-handed bat in Tyrone Taylor to cover for Matt Shaw's prolonged absence.
Jed Hoyer's unhinged trade deadline ended the one hot take Cubs fans always had ready
It's not an understatement to say that the 2026 trade deadline might be among the craziest in recent memory. From the weekend through Monday, one major deal after another flew by, from the obvious, like Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers, to the unexpected, like Jose Soriano to the Blue Jays. In the middle of the rush, the Chicago Cubs went in with reported hopes of adding at least three pitchers. On that front, Jed Hoyer did not disappoint.
Cubs Rumors: Jed Hoyer targeting Padres, Mets relievers as injury insurance at trade deadline
Much of the focus around the Chicago Cubs' trade deadline efforts has unsurprisingly been on the rotation. It's no secret that Jed Hoyer is aiming to land a legitimate arm that could be worthy of one of the front two spots of the starting staff, and he may be willing to trade about any young player not named Josiah Hartshorn to do it. Ideally, that pitcher is a controllable one, like Reid Detmers or Jose Soriano, but the team has played well enough that nothing has been ruled out of late.
MLB insider made Jefferson Rojas' 2026 trade deadline Cubs future crystal clear
Although less than a week remains until the trade deadline, teams widely appear to be in a holding pattern. There's a real lack of meaningful rumors so far connecting the Chicago Cubs, or any organization for that matter, to specific moves. That's reflective of a tight league, where so many teams are still hanging around in the Wild Card race and decisions about whether to buy or sell are still actively being made.
3 Cubs players everyone thinks will traded at deadline but won't move
Trade rumors are finally starting to ramp up, but the Chicago Cubs remain in an awkward spot. Their needs are many in the rotation and bullpen, and Jed Hoyer is expected to address them. However, with a first-round bye seeming like a pipe dream thanks to the Brewers once again running away with the division and a lack of pure sellers thanks to a wide-open Wild Card race, just how aggressive they'll be is in question.
Hunter Greene trade buzz comes with one obvious problem for the Cubs
With less than two weeks until the MLB trade deadline, there's still a lot of uncertainty. Neither the American nor the National League has more than three or four teams that can be truly considered out of the Wild Card race, meaning the number of sellers this year could be few and prices could be high. For the Chicago Cubs, it's looking like another year where finding that true, top-of-the-rotation starter might not be possible without getting very uncomfortable.
Pete Crow-Armstrong may have just crushed one perfect Wrigley Field All-Star dream
With the 2026 MLB All-Star Game officially in the books, the Chicago Cubs are officially next in line to host the Midsummer Classic and all the festivities that come with it. At this time in 2027, assuming the expected lockout doesn't wipe out the season altogether, the baseball world will descend upon historic Wrigley Field for the first time in 37 years.
Recently promoted Cubs prospect has suddenly emerged as a surprise pitching option
Throughout the organization, everyone knows the Chicago Cubs' biggest problem has been pitching. On the big-league side, a torrent of injuries has wracked the rotation and bullpen with one impact loss after another, from Tommy John surgery for Cade Horton to multiple IL stints for Daniel Palencia. The minor-league side, meanwhile, has not only suffered from absences, like a prolonged elbow injury for top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins, but also a lack of impact arms.
Cubs 2027 schedule delivers another early stretch that feels all too familiar
Although the Chicago Cubs' 2026 campaign has been a bit of a roller coaster, it's undeniable that they started things out on a high note. April was shaping up to be a brutal month with a streak of games including an improved Pirates team, seven games against the Phillies, a west coast road trip featuring three against the Dodgers and Padres; and a Diamondbacks set back home to cap off the stretch.
2 Cubs trade deadline fits Jed Hoyer should be begging for, 2 they should stay far away from
After some rough sailing, including two ten-game winning streaks, a ten-game losing streak, and a hurricane of pitching injuries, the Chicago Cubs are nearly there. The salvation of the trade deadline is just a few weeks away, and they're plenty good enough to justify some solid buying from Jed Hoyer and the front office. Just about every starting pitcher on the market is bound to be on their radar, save for maybe the ultra-expensive Tarik Skubal rental.
One of the final 2026 mock drafts have the Cubs doubling down on proven strategy
After a season full of mock drafts, it's about that time yet again. The MLB Draft takes place this weekend, starting July 11, and for the Chicago Cubs, everyone is watching especially closely to see who they pick in the first round.
'Blue Bloods' officially returns with new spin-off episodes this October
Ryan O'Rourke Blue Bloods may have come to an end back in 2024 after 14 seasons, but the absence of the Reagan family has hardly been felt since then.
1 Jon Lester reminder says everything about Alex Bregman's Cubs tenure
When Alex Bregman signed his five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs, it felt like the beginning of a new era. Jed Hoyer and Tom Ricketts finally inked a modern baseball deal, with deferrals and an AAV that began firmly in the $30 million range, to get a player who would slot into the middle of the lineup while also acting as a leader in the clubhouse. Alas, he has not come close to living up to that agreement so far.
Cubs' dramatic Brewers series proved Marquee Sports Network should keep one big change
Ever since the departure of Len Kasper, there's always been a slight divide among Chicago Cubs fans over whether or not Boog Sciambi has been a worthwhile replacement. He certainly was a splashy addition when he took over as the television voice of the team alongside Jim Deshaies on Marquee Sports Network in 2021.
Daniel Palencia's injury timeline adds pressing need to Cubs' trade deadline shopping list
As the trade deadline approaches, the Chicago Cubs' rotation remains the primary concern after a hamstring strain for Edward Cabrera and a stress fracture in Ben Brown's neck thinned a staff already held together with Scotch tape and prayers. However, the bullpen is increasingly alarming. While the relief corps was able to pitch well enough for a while, they, too, have been forced to weather an ungodly storm of injuries, capped off this weekend with Hoby Milner getting struck down by appendicitis.
Polarizing 2025 Cubs draft pick finally nearing long-awaited organizational debut
While the big-league Chicago Cubs have left much to be desired in 2026, the farm system is having the year it desperately needed. Trades and promotions had the organization entering the year ranked 23rd overall by MLB, with Moises Ballesteros and Jaxon Wiggins as their lone top-100 prospects.
3 Cubs who are as good as gone before the 2026 trade deadline
The Chicago Cubs remain in an awkward position as the beginning of summer approaches. They've finally managed to get back in the series' win column with back-to-back victories over the Giants and Rockies, but they've yet to definitively break out of their funk.
Cubs got sobering reality check from early National League All-Star ballot update
June is already halfway through, which means there's less than a month left until the MLB All-Star break. However, what should've been a point of excitement to take stock of a competitive year for the Chicago Cubs has turned into anything but. Fans on the North Side are all too eager to create buzz for their players when things are going well, but after a nightmare stretch going 7-22 after their two ten-game winning streaks, the interest has unsurprisingly waned.
It's becoming crystal clear who will be the first fall guy for Cubs' 2026 failures
There are no excuses left for the failure of the 2026 Chicago Cubs. While the rotation has been plagued by injuries, it's the offense that continues to lose them otherwise very winnable games against teams that, on paper, represent the soft part of their schedule. Wednesday night was the nadir, when Shota Imanaga put together a solid bounce-back outing, but still couldn't get the win as the bats were baffled by Michael Lorenzen, who came into the day with an ERA over eight in over 60 innings.
3 Jed Hoyer decisions that set the stage for the collapse of the 2026 Cubs
Expectations have completely flipped on this Chicago Cubs team after a brutal month+ of baseball. This past offseason was cause for excitement for fans; after a 92-win 2025 campaign, Jed Hoyer finally reeled in a big fish in Alex Bregman, traded for a hard-throwing, high-strikeout starter in Edward Cabrera, and rebuilt the bullpen with more legitimate relievers than in past seasons.
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