Articles by Ryan O'Rourke
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.
'The Last Starfighter's Official Sequel Arrives Next Month After 40+ Year Wait
The "Bloodiest and Horniest" Series Ever Made Gets Even Better 15 Years Later Which is the bloodiest and horniest TV show ever made? Is it Nip/Tuck? I remember being amazed at how the show’s two protagonists (plastic surgeons by …
Wildly depressing statistic shows how far off the rails this Cubs season has gone
There's been no shortage of indignities for this Chicago Cubs team lately. However, getting blown out by a San Francisco Giants team that's 13 games underwater and competing with the Colorado Rockies for the NL West basement was among their lowest moments. Friday's game saw Edward Cabrera return from the IL, only to be greeted rudely with eight runs on eight hits, including three home runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Maybe we shouldn't be panicking about Seiya Suzuki's incredibly bad month?
The Chicago Cubs offense is down bad right now. Since posting their second ten-game winning streak on May 8, they've been among the worst teams in baseball not just with runners in scoring position, but with the bat in their hands, period. Before play on Wednesday, they were tied with the Colorado Rockies with a 76 wRC+ in that stretch for dead last in all of baseball. It's been a complete power outage, too.
Jacob Misiorowski's historic May sends a clear message to the rival Cubs
June has arrived and, once again, despite a big offseason in which the Chicago Cubs rebuilt their bullpen, traded for Edward Cabrera, and opened up their wallet to add Alex Bregman, they find themselves staring up at the Milwaukee Brewers. They're only five games back, but the gap has felt much wider between the two teams given how much better Chicago's northern rivals have played of late. Where Craig Counsell's club went 13-16 in May, Pat Murphy led his team to the league's best record at 19-7.
Gage Workman's latest run with the Tigers looks all too familiar to Cubs fans
Although the Chicago Cubs are suffering through a deeply uncompetitive ten-game skid in which they've fallen from first place in the NL Central to last, their struggles aren't the worst of any MLB team. Case in point, the Detroit Tigers. Hoping to compete in the AL Central after making the playoffs last year, everything has gone wrong in the Motor City with a by far league-worst 5-18 record in May, dropping them to 21-34 and 10 games behind the first-place Guardians.
Scott Boras ally just threw the Cubs directly into Tarik Skubal trade speculation
As the Detroit Tigers keep circling the drain, the Tarik Skubal trade rumors are only getting louder. The Motor City Kitties finally snapped their home losing streak on Wednesday, but it came at a cost, with two more injury scares in Casey Mize and Kenley Jansen that they just can't afford. Considering their circumstances and a dismal 22-34 record, they appear even worse off than when Jon Heyman got the ball rolling on Skubal speculation.
Tigers' spiral creates Tarik Skubal trade speculation that's still too rich for the Cubs
The many pitching injuries of the Chicago Cubs have left fans dreaming of a potential blockbuster deal to capitalize on a competitive year. Joe Ryan, Freddy Peralta, and Logan Webb are some of the most ambitious pitchers speculated as potential targets at the trade deadline this year. However, an even bigger fish may find himself on the block as the obvious best rental option out there — Tarik Skubal.
3 Matt Shaw trade fits that could also solve Cubs biggest trade deadline need
Matt Shaw's future with the Chicago Cubs is going to remain a question throughout the rest of this season. Although the former top prospect has adjusted well to playing in the outfield and becoming a utility man after the signing of Alex Bregman, it's no secret that he's at his best when playing the hot corner. The surprise emergence of Michael Conforto as one of the team's best offensive pieces has also further limited his chances to play in right field in 2026.
Cubs insider reveals the prospect likely to be dealt at the trade deadline
The trade deadline can't come soon enough for the Chicago Cubs. Their plentiful, well-documented pitching injuries have jump-started a ton of conversations about what targets are out there to acquire, when they can and should start making moves for another starter, and what the cost will be to land what they need. On that latter point, just about everyone in the system is on the table, from Jaxon Wiggins to even top prospect Jefferson Rojas, for the right deal.
Matthew Lillard Is Officially Returning to Scooby-Doo
1 day ago HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series has yet to air — the show premieres in December — but the creative team is already undergoing its first major recasting. According to a report from Deadline, actress Gracie Cochrane will not return as Ginny Weasley in season 2 of the series “due to unforeseen …
Cubs' series against the White Sox could not come at a worse time
Heading into the 2026 season, a series against the Chicago White Sox sandwiched between the Braves and the Brewers sounded like a reprieve to Chicago Cubs fans. The Southsiders entered with low expectations coming off a third straight 100-loss season, albeit not without some intriguing pieces between Colson Montgomery and new signing Munetaka Murakami. Pecota still had them projected at around a 69-93 record.
The Cubs should be monitoring a familiar AL West trade partner for reinforcements
The trade deadline may be over two months away, but 2026 has already seen some surprising teams fall into potential seller territory. The two most notable downfalls have included the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox, both of whom link up quite well with the Chicago Cubs as trade partners if they can't fight their way back into contention.
Early 2026 MLB draft intel reveals the prospect the Cubs are already in love with
The 2026 MLB Draft may still be two months away, but it's officially mock draft season in baseball. This year's crop of young players is falling into place, with UCLA's Roch Cholowsky and Fort Worth Christian High School's Grady Emerson standing out as the clear top two picks in what's seen as a weaker class. Beyond the first few selections, it's anybody's guess where the rest of the first round could end up.
Injury to huge potential Cubs trade target could change the equation at the deadline
It's no secret that a top trade deadline priority for the Chicago Cubs this year will be pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Tommy John surgery for Cade Horton, combined with a flexor strain to Justin Steele that will extend his absence until well after the All-Star break, has left the rotation without two of its highest-ceiling rotation pieces.
Cubs prospect Pedro Ramirez continues to hit new heights in his breakout campaign
What's left to say about Pedro Ramirez at this point? Since joining the Chicago Cubs in 2021, the organization's #8 prospect by MLB Pipeline has always been a promising young player, though not with quite the flashy tools of many of the names that rose around him, like Pete Crow-Armstrong or Matt Shaw. He's succeeded by making lots of contact, taking walks, limiting strikeouts, and playing minor league Gold Glove-caliber defense in the infield.
Castoff Rockies reliever suddenly becoming lifesaver for Cubs' pitching staff
Leave it to Jed Hoyer to find a few diamonds in the rough to help the Chicago Cubs bullpen throughout the year. Amid an avalanche of pitching injuries that have decimated the relief corps and stretched their depth thin, there's a need more than ever for the team president's reclamation minor league signings and waiver claims to step up. Fortunately, he appears to have another early winner in former Colorado Rockies first-rounder Ryan Rolison.
The Cubs are about to enter a potentially division-altering month of the season
In their quest to finally take back the National League Central, the Chicago Cubs have mostly done their part of late. Their ten-game winning streak rocketed them back into second place and within striking distance of the crown, even if a recent three-game west coast skid slowed their ascent. Precisely none of their rivals are falling out of the race yet, though. Before playing on Tuesday, everyone still has a winning record, with the Reds being the surprise standout at 19-11.
Kyle Tucker comments from Dodgers coach tells a truth Cubs fans know all too well
Kyle Tucker's Chicago Cubs tenure didn't end how anyone had hoped. Although Craig Counsell's club returned to the playoffs in 2025 and won its first postseason series since 2017, the pricey rental trade acquisition left a lot to be desired with a quieter second half, clouded by frustration, injuries, and one particularly gruelling 40-game stretch in which he hit .186/.320/.236 and was benched.
Cubs player most likely to be traded reveals a deeper farm system concern
It didn't take long for the Chicago Cubs to put a forgettable start to the season behind them. With their win against the Phillies on Wednesday, they've now rattled off eight wins in a row and risen to second place in the National League Central. The trade deadline is a long way off, but already, some clear areas of need have emerged. The cost, however, may be dire.
Jed Hoyer confirms that Ben Brown may be the key to the Cubs' 2026 success
After last season, Chicago Cubs fans can't be blamed for guarding their hearts whenever Ben Brown enters a game. The young right-hander still has a lot of promise, averaging around 96-97 MPH on his fastball with a curveball once graded with a future value of 70 and the potential to translate that to a starting role. Yet, his disastrous 2025, with a 5.92 ERA and 4.08 FIP, left a lot of doubts about his future.
HBO's 3-Part Sci-Fi Thriller Recruits a 'Sinners' Star for New Season
8 hours ago 13.8 billion years ago, the Big Bang gave rise to the entire universe. Nothing had come close to the significance of this event, not until a 25-year-old Lena Dunham dropped her hit TV show Girls on HBO 14 years ago, which changed – and continues to change – the lives of 20-somethings …
3 Cubs who need to turn their seasons around, starting this weekend against the Mets
This week's series against the Philadelphia Phillies was exactly the confidence booster the Chicago Cubs and their fans needed after a sluggish opening stretch. Facing a buzzsaw of pitchers between Cristopher Sanchez, Aaron Nola, and Jesus Luzardo, the North Siders' offense finally came alive with a collective 28 runs across the three games as they took two out of three.
Cubs' sixth-round slugger is destroying Low-A and filling a hole in the organization
Although the big league Chicago Cubs have left a lot to be desired in the early going, it's been a bit of a different story in the minors. Several key prospects have started the season off scorching hot, including, most notably, Kevin Alcantara, who has already popped seven home runs in Iowa. Jonathon Long has also picked up right where he left off, and even James Triantos has enjoyed a nice bounce-back so far.
2 Cubs players to start worrying about after slow starts and 2 that will be just fine
This Chicago Cubs season has not started the way any fans could have drawn it up after their strong offseason. Although a 6-8 record this early isn't the end of the world, it's certainly concerning, given that nine of those games came against a rebuilding Nationals team, the Angels, and a Rays team still trying to cobble something together.
3 free agents the Cubs must consider after Cade Horton news reshapes the rotation
The Chicago Cubs are officially living a nightmare scenario with Cade Horton. Earlier this week, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported that the results of the young righty's MRI after leaving his last outing early were "not good, not clean," according to multiple sources. Upon getting a second opinion, everyone's worst fears were confirmed — a season-ending UCL tear. Now, it's just a question of what type of surgery Horton will have, though nothing will change the damage that's been done to the 2026 Cubs.
Secondhand Lion Roars: How One Campus Closet Turned Donations into Community
By: Ryan O’Rourke What started with a rack of brightly patterned dresses has grown into what some have described as one of the most quietly impactful resources at Penn State Altoona. Secondhand Lion, located in Smith Hall (W116), is a free, student centered donation space where gently used items like clothing, shoes, books, decor, and school supplies find a second life. For many students however, the space has become more than just a place to pick up something new.
Who do you want to win March Madness? How much time are you watching it?
Photo by Ryan O’Rourke Zoe Monson Phoenixville, PA Kinesiology “I think that Duke and Michigan will end up in the championship game” “I watch March Madness for 5 hours” Photo by Ryan O’Rourke Naomi Nachmias Fair Lawn, NJ Elementary and Early Childhood Education “I think UCON and Duke will be in the championship game” “I watch it every other day”
Does Mental Health Therapy Actually Work?
Mental health therapy has become way more talked about in recent years, especially on social media and in schools. Some people believe therapy can completely change your life, others think it’s overrated or doesn’t really help. In my opinion, mental health therapy does work, but only if the person is willing to put in effort and finds the right type of help. It’s not a quick fix, but it can make a difference over time. One reason therapy works is because there is scientific evidence behind it.
Jaxon Wiggins is already making the case for a Cubs promotion after Triple-A season debut
The Chicago Cubs are a long way from needing rotation help. Though Matthew Boyd's first outing of the year completely fell off the rails in the fourth inning and Shota Imanaga's final line against the Nationals looked ugly, it's far too early to make any declarations about either pitcher. Their current group is made up of arms that have all earned a level of trust on the North Side, along with the new addition, Edward Cabrera, who's coming off a dominant season debut.
Cubs farm director has exciting praise for one of the team's hottest prospects
Outside of the usual names like Moises Ballesteros, Jaxon Wiggins, Kevin Alcantara, and Jefferson Rojas, the Chicago Cubs aren't getting much love for their farm system right now. Recent draftees Ethan Conrad and Kane Kepley have been getting a lot of buzz as well, but it'll take a full season in the minors to properly evaluate where both stand, not just within the organization, but across all of minor league baseball.
Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner make their mark on Cubs' all-time contract list
It's officially payday for PCA and Nico Hoerner. The Chicago Cubs made fans' hopes and dreams a reality on Monday night after news broke that they'd extended superstar center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to a long-term deal. Then, they did it again after Opening Day for their second baseman. For so many reasons, these are landmark moves for Jed Hoyer, locking up two clear faces of the franchise for the long haul and learning from past mistakes with the World Series core.
Cubs next move after Nico Hoerner contract extension is crystal clear
Although there were doubts about whether the Chicago Cubs could reach an agreement to keep Nico Hoerner around for the long haul, Jed Hoyer put all of that to bed on Thursday. The 28-year-old second baseman, often described as the beating heart of this core, got his extension, locking him down on the North Side for six more years. He was the most glaring of the many players about to hit free agency this offseason, given just how valuable he was, between his Gold Glove defense, bat, and leadership.
Cubs timeline revealed for two veteran arms expected to follow Brad Keller blueprint
The Chicago Cubs bullpen is officially set. Craig Counsell already named Daniel Palencia the closer, and Jed Hoyer did his part to rebuild the unit with a mix of solid veterans, including a returning Caleb Thielbar. As always, though, he left an opportunity for a breakout arm from their minor league signings and non-roster invitees to earn a spot on the roster.
3 Cubs prospects who won't make the Opening Day roster but will be promoted in no time
The wait is almost over, Chicago Cubs fans. Just over a week remains until Opening Day, and the team is almost set after what's been a very impactful offseason. The last-minute injury to Seiya Suzuki threw a bit of a wrench into things, but otherwise, the few spots remaining on the roster are mostly the same as they were coming into camp.
Opening Day just feels different for Cubs after seismic offseason
One of the worst feelings that Chicago Cubs fans have had to grapple with since around 2019 is the feeling that the team was incomplete. Since winning the World Series in 2016, most offseasons could be characterized by a lack of spending and half measures well below what a big-market team should be capable of. Even last offseason, with the trade for one year of a superstar in Kyle Tucker, still felt one or two pieces short of being a truly great assembly of talent by Jed Hoyer.
2 reasons to believe this is the year the Cubs win the division and 1 reason not to
Although the Chicago Cubs have started returning to relevance over the past couple of years, they're nearing a decade since they last won the National League Central in a full season. With regards to the shortened 2020 campaign, the Milwaukee Brewers have mostly run the show since 2018, pacing the division every year save for 2019 and 2022, when the Cardinals broke up their streak. It's past time for that to change in 2026. 2025 seemed like the year to make things happen.
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