From the moment Joe Maddon joined the Chicago Cubs, taking the reins in a Wrigleyville bar five years ago, he talked about winning.He was the right manager at the right time for a franchise that had experienced mostly terrible timing for more than a century. Right until his time in Chicago ran out.The Cubs will have a new manager next season after Maddon and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced Sunday it was time for a change after three years of declining results since the franchise's historic World Series championship in 2016.The situation was finalized when Maddon and Epstein met in Epstein's hotel room after Saturday's 8-6 victory at St. Louis, sharing some wine and reminiscing about their wildly successful partnership.Maddon's contract expired after Sunday's season-ending 9-0 loss to the NL Central champion Cardinals."Change can help you grow," Epstein said. "And Joe said this change is going to help him grow and I feel it's going to help the Cubs grow, too."The... [More]

From the moment Joe Maddon joined the Chicago Cubs, taking the reins in a Wrigleyville bar five years ago, he talked about winning.He was the right manager at the right time for a franchise that had experienced mostly terrible timing for more than a century. Right until his time in Chicago ran out.The Cubs will have a new manager next season after Maddon and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced Sunday it was time for a change after three years of declining results since the franchise's historic World Series championship in 2016.The situation was finalized when Maddon and Epstein met in Epstein's hotel room after Saturday's 8-6 victory at St. Louis, sharing some wine and reminiscing about their wildly successful partnership.Maddon's contract expires after Sunday's season finale against the Cardinals."Change can help you grow," Epstein said. "And Joe said this change is going to help him grow and I feel it's going to help the Cubs grow, too."The move begins what could be... [More]

From the moment Joe Maddon joined the Chicago Cubs, taking the reins in a Wrigleyville bar five years ago, he talked about winning.He was the right manager at the right time for a franchise that had experienced mostly terrible timing for more than a century. Right until his time in Chicago ran out.The Cubs will have a new manager next season after Maddon and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced Sunday it was time for a change. Three years of declining results following the franchise's historic World Series championship in 2016.The situation was finalized when Maddon and Epstein met in Epstein's hotel room after Saturday's 8-6 victory at St. Louis, sharing some wine and reminiscing about their successful five-year partnership.Maddon's contract expires after Sunday's season finale against the Cardinals."Change can help you grow," Epstein said. "And Joe said this change is going to help him grow and I feel it's going to help the Cubs grow, too."The move begins what could... [More]

From the moment Joe Maddon joined the Chicago Cubs, taking the reins in a Wrigleyville bar five years ago, he talked about winning.He was the right manager at the right time for a franchise that had experienced mostly terrible timing for more than a century. Right until Maddon's time in Chicago ran out.The Cubs will have a new manager next season after Maddon and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced Sunday it was time for a change after three years of declining results that culminated in the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.Maddon and Epstein met after Saturday's 8-6 victory at St. Louis, and then shared their plans before Sunday's finale against the Cardinals. Maddon's contract expires after the game."Change can help you grow," Epstein said. "And Joe said this change is going to help him grow and I feel it's going to help the Cubs grow, too."The change in the dugout begins what could be an active offseason for the Cubs, and the 65-year-old Maddon... [More]

Cardinals fourth. Yadier Molina flies out to deep center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Matt Carpenter homers to center field. Paul DeJong walks. Harrison Bader strikes out swinging. Dakota Hudson called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs sixth. Ian Happ homers to right field. Victor Caratini lines out to center field to Harrison Bader. Nico Hoerner singles to center field. Albert Almora Jr. reaches on a fielder's choice to second base. Nico Hoerner out at second. Robel Garcia pinch-hitting for Alec Mills. Robel Garcia walks. Albert Almora Jr. to second. Tony Kemp grounds out to shallow infield, Giovanny Gallegos to Paul Goldschmidt.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 1.Cubs seventh. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Willson Contreras singles to right field. Ben Zobrist to third. Ian Happ doubles to right field. Willson Contreras to third. Ben Zobrist scores. Victor Caratini hit by pitch. Nico Hoerner singles to... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Trea Turner's go-ahead grand slam lifted Washington to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies for a doubleheader sweep Tuesday that helped the Nationals clinch an NL wild card, capping quite a turnaround for a team that was 19-31 in late May.Turner had three hits in the day's first game, a 4-1 win for the Nationals. Washington assured itself of returning to the playoffs for the fifth time in eight years after sitting out October in 2018.Anthony Rendon delivered two sacrifice flies to raise his majors-leading RBIs total to 124 in the opening victory, a result that also eliminated Philadelphia and $330 million outfielder Bryce Harper, the ex-Nationals star, from postseason contention.In the nightcap, Washington trailed 4-2 entering the sixth, because Brad Miller managed to hit two homers off Max Scherzer (11-7).Washington loaded the bases in the sixth against Aaron Nola (12-7) with two walks and a single, setting the stage for Turner's 18th homer of the season and... [More]

Cubs fourth. Ian Happ singles to right center field. Jason Heyward reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow right field. Ian Happ out at second. Nico Hoerner doubles to deep right center field. Jason Heyward scores. Kyle Hendricks strikes out swinging. Anthony Rizzo grounds out to first base to Jose Osuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 1, Pirates 0.Pirates seventh. Adam Frazier doubles to center field. Jose Osuna singles to shallow center field. Adam Frazier to third. Colin Moran singles to left field. Jose Osuna to second. Adam Frazier scores. Jacob Stallings singles to right center field. Colin Moran to second. Jose Osuna to third. Kevin Kramer doubles to deep right field. Jacob Stallings to third. Colin Moran scores. Jose Osuna scores. Erik Gonzalez reaches on error. Kevin Kramer scores. Jacob Stallings scores. Fielding error by Ben Zobrist. Pablo Reyes pinch-hitting for Francisco Liriano. Pablo Reyes singles to right field. Erik Gonzalez to second. Kevin Newman reaches on... [More]

CHICAGO (AP) — Ben Zobrist will decide what he wants to do after the season is over.The 38-year-old utilityman already knows how he feels about Joe Maddon's future in Chicago.Asked Sunday about Maddon's legacy after five years as manager of the Cubs, Zobrist responded: "No comment, because I'd like to see that continue."With Chicago facing increasingly long odds for making the playoffs, the uncertain future for Maddon and Zobrist is coming up quickly on the horizon. Their contracts expire after this season.The Cubs have lost six in a row, the last five by one run. It's the first time they have dropped five consecutive one-run games since a six-game stretch from July 21-30, 1915, according to STATS.They are four games back of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card with six games left on the schedule."We've lost a lot of tough, close games. That makes it a little bit tougher," Zobrist said before Chicago's 3-2 loss to St. Louis in its home finale. "But this is not a group that just in any... [More]

Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo lines out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Nicholas Castellanos singles to center field. Kris Bryant hit by pitch. Nicholas Castellanos to second. Kyle Schwarber singles to deep left center field. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist called out on strikes. Victor Caratini pops out to shortstop to Matt Carpenter.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 1, Cardinals 0.Cardinals third. Paul DeJong homers to left field. Harrison Bader called out on strikes. Miles Mikolas strikes out swinging. Dexter Fowler grounds out to shallow infield, Yu Darvish to Anthony Rizzo.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cubs sixth. Nicholas Castellanos homers to center field. Ian Happ strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber grounds out to first base to Paul Goldschmidt. Ben Zobrist flies out to deep center field to Harrison Bader.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 2, Cardinals 1.Cardinals ninth. Jose Martinez pinch-hitting for Tyler Webb. Jose Martinez triples to deep center field. Dexter Fowler out on a sacrifice fly to center field to Albert Almora Jr.. Tyler O'Neill scores. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Paul Goldschmidt doubles to deep left field. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging. Yairo Munoz strikes out swinging.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cardinals 3, Cubs 2.

CHICAGO (AP) — Ben Zobrist will decide what he wants to do after the season is over.The 38-year-old utilityman already knows how he feels about Joe Maddon's future in Chicago.Asked Sunday about Maddon's legacy after five years as manager of the Cubs, Zobrist responded: "No comment, because I'd like to see that continue."With Chicago facing increasingly long odds for making the playoffs, the uncertain future for Maddon and Zobrist is coming up quickly on the horizon. Their contracts expire after this season.The Cubs had dropped five in a row heading into their home finale, the last four by one run. They were three games back of Milwaukee for the second NL wild card entering play on Sunday."We've lost a lot of tough, close games. That makes it a little bit tougher," Zobrist said. "But this is not a group that just in any way folds, so we're going to keep fighting and battling."For Zobrist, it's not just a question of where he might play next year. The 2016 World Series MVP could decide to... [More]

Cardinals first. Dexter Fowler called out on strikes. Tommy Edman triples to deep right center field. Paul Goldschmidt grounds out to shallow infield, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Tommy Edman scores. Marcell Ozuna walks. Yadier Molina strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo called out on strikes. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to deep right center field. Kris Bryant walks. Kyle Schwarber walks. Kris Bryant to second. Nicholas Castellanos to third. Ben Zobrist walks. Kyle Schwarber to second. Kris Bryant to third. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Victor Caratini walks. Ben Zobrist to second. Kyle Schwarber to third. Kris Bryant scores. Jason Heyward out on a sacrifice fly to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna. Kyle Schwarber scores. Nico Hoerner flies out to deep right center field to Dexter Fowler.3 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 left on. Cubs 3, Cardinals 1.Cardinals third. Dakota Hudson singles to center field. Dexter Fowler singles to... [More]

Cardinals third. Tommy Edman singles to right field. Harrison Bader walks. Tommy Edman to second. Jack Flaherty singles to shallow infield. Harrison Bader to second. Tommy Edman to third. Dexter Fowler grounds out to second base. Jack Flaherty out at second. Harrison Bader to third. Tommy Edman scores. Kolten Wong flies out to deep right field to Nicholas Castellanos.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 0.Cubs third. Nico Hoerner grounds out to shortstop, Paul DeJong to Paul Goldschmidt. Kyle Hendricks pops out to shallow right field to Paul Goldschmidt. Anthony Rizzo homers to center field. Nicholas Castellanos singles. Kris Bryant flies out to deep left field to Marcell Ozuna.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cardinals 1, Cubs 1.Cardinals fifth. Tommy Edman triples to right field. Harrison Bader singles to center field. Tommy Edman scores. Jack Flaherty out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Anthony Rizzo to Ben Zobrist. Harrison Bader to second. Dexter Fowler... [More]

Reds fourth. Joey Votto grounds out to shortstop, Nico Hoerner to Victor Caratini. Eugenio Suarez homers to center field. Aristides Aquino strikes out swinging. Phillip Ervin singles to left field. Jose Iglesias grounds out to second base, Ben Zobrist to Victor Caratini.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 1, Cubs 0.Cubs fourth. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to left center field. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber out on a sacrifice fly to right field to Aristides Aquino. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Willson Contreras grounds out to third base, Eugenio Suarez to Joey Votto.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 left on. Reds 1, Cubs 1.Reds seventh. Jose Iglesias singles to center field. Curt Casali singles to left field. Jose Iglesias to second. Michael Lorenzen lines out to right field to Nicholas Castellanos. Jose Iglesias to third. Jose Peraza pinch-hitting for Tyler Mahle. Jose Peraza walks. Curt Casali to second. Alex Blandino out on a sacrifice fly to left field to Kyle Schwarber.... [More]

Reds first. Josh VanMeter singles to center field. Joey Votto doubles to deep right field. Josh VanMeter scores. Eugenio Suarez strikes out swinging. Aristides Aquino homers to center field. Joey Votto scores. Tucker Barnhart singles to deep right field. Phillip Ervin strikes out swinging. Brian O'Grady strikes out swinging.3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 3, Cubs 0.Cubs first. Ben Zobrist grounds out to shortstop, Jose Peraza to Joey Votto. Nicholas Castellanos walks. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber doubles to deep center field. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Willson Contreras grounds out to shortstop, Jose Peraza to Joey Votto.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 3, Cubs 1.Cubs third. Ben Zobrist hit by pitch. Nicholas Castellanos reaches on a fielder's choice to third base. Ben Zobrist out at second. Kris Bryant strikes out swinging. Kyle Schwarber triples to deep right field. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Willson Contreras called out on strikes.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Reds 3, Cubs 2.Reds fifth. Jose Peraza lines out to third base to Kris Bryant. Sonny Gray singles to right center field. Josh VanMeter flies out to deep left field to Kyle Schwarber. Joey Votto walks. Sonny Gray to second. Eugenio Suarez singles to right center field. Joey Votto to second. Sonny Gray scores. Aristides Aquino strikes out swinging.1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Reds 4, Cubs 2.

Cubs first. Ben Zobrist singles to right field. Nicholas Castellanos strikes out swinging. Kris Bryant singles to left field. Ben Zobrist to second. Kyle Schwarber homers to center field. Kris Bryant scores. Ben Zobrist scores. Willson Contreras grounds out to shortstop, Jose Peraza to Josh VanMeter. Victor Caratini flies out to left field to Phillip Ervin.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Cubs 3, Reds 0.Reds third. Christian Colon pinch-hitting for Kevin Gausman. Christian Colon hit by pitch. Alex Blandino singles to shallow center field. Christian Colon to second. Phillip Ervin strikes out swinging. Eugenio Suarez walks. Alex Blandino to second. Christian Colon to third. Aristides Aquino strikes out swinging. Curt Casali walks. Eugenio Suarez to second. Alex Blandino to third. Christian Colon scores. Michael Lorenzen strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 3 left on. Cubs 3, Reds 1.Reds fourth. Jose Peraza doubles to left field. Derek Dietrich pinch-hitting for Josh VanMeter.... [More]

Cubs first. Anthony Rizzo walks. Nicholas Castellanos doubles to deep left field. Anthony Rizzo to third. Kris Bryant homers to center field. Nicholas Castellanos scores. Anthony Rizzo scores. Kyle Schwarber pops out to shallow left field to Erik Gonzalez. Ben Zobrist flies out to right field to Jose Osuna. Victor Caratini singles to center field. Jason Heyward lines out to deep right field to Jose Osuna.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Cubs 3, Pirates 0.Pirates third. Erik Gonzalez doubles to left center field. Trevor Williams singles to shallow infield. Erik Gonzalez to third. Kevin Newman singles to center field. Trevor Williams to second. Erik Gonzalez scores. Bryan Reynolds doubles to deep left field. Kevin Newman to third. Trevor Williams scores. Pablo Reyes singles to right center field. Bryan Reynolds scores. Kevin Newman scores. Jose Osuna grounds out to shallow infield, Kris Bryant to Ian Happ. Pablo Reyes to second. Elias Diaz walks. Colin Moran singles to right field. Elias... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. ignited a four-run rally with the go-ahead, two-run double, and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 10-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.Acuña's double down the left-field line off reliever Fernando Rodney added fuel to a dramatic seventh inning for the Braves (93-57), who reduced their magic number to four to clinch their 19th division title.Earlier in the seventh, Charlie Culberson was struck directly on the right cheekbone by a 91-mph fastball on Rodney's first pitch of the game.Culberson remained on his back for several minutes as trainers pressed a towel to his face. He was eventually helped to his feet and onto the back of a cart.The Braves have won the last 11 games started by Mike Foltynewicz (7-5), who pitched six solid innings.Wander Suero (5-8) was charged with the loss as the Washington bullpen gave up nine runs over the final four innings. The Nationals saw their lead in the NL wild card race... [More]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ronald Acuña Jr. ignited a four-run rally with the go-ahead, two-run double, and the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves clinched a playoff berth with a 10-1 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday.Acuña's double down the left-field line off reliever Fernando Rodney added fuel to a dramatic seventh inning for the Braves (93-57), who reduced their magic number to four to clinch their 19th division title.Earlier in the seventh, Charlie Culberson was struck directly on the right cheekbone by a 91-mph fastball on Rodney's first pitch of the game.Culberson remained on his back for several minutes as trainers pressed a towel to his face. He was eventually helped to his feet and onto the back of a cart.The Braves have won the last 11 games started by Mike Foltynewicz (7-5), who pitched six solid innings.Wander Suero (5-8) was charged with the loss as the Washington bullpen gave up nine runs over the final four innings. The Nationals saw their lead in the NL wild card race... [More]