Chicago Sports Guru Ticker<\/title>\n<style>\n * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n body { background: transparent; }\n\n .ticker-wrap {\n width: 100%;\n background: #0a1628;\n border-top: 2px solid #c8102e;\n border-bottom: 2px solid #c8102e;\n overflow: hidden;\n position: relative;\n height: 40px;\n font-family: 'Arial Narrow', Arial, sans-serif;\n }\n\n .ticker-label {\n position: absolute;\n left: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0;\n background: #c8102e;\n color: #fff;\n font-size: 10px;\n font-weight: bold;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n padding: 0 12px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n white-space: nowrap;\n z-index: 10;\n }\n\n .ticker-track {\n height: 40px;\n overflow: hidden;\n padding-left: 115px;\n }\n\n .ticker-inner {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n height: 40px;\n white-space: nowrap;\n animation: scroll 50s linear infinite;\n }\n\n .ticker-inner:hover { animation-play-state: paused; }\n\n @keyframes scroll {\n 0% { transform: translateX(0); }\n 100% { transform: translateX(-50%); }\n }\n\n .game {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n padding: 0 22px;\n border-right: 1px solid #1e3a5f;\n height: 40px;\n font-size: 12px;\n }\n\n .badge {\n font-size: 9px;\n font-weight: bold;\n padding: 2px 5px;\n border-radius: 3px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n white-space: nowrap;\n }\n .nfl { background: #C83803; color: #fff; }\n .mlb { background: #003087; color: #fff; }\n .nba { background: #ce1141; color: #fff; }\n .nhl { background: #cf0a2c; color: #fff; }\n .wnba { background: #e87722; color: #fff; }\n .mls { background: #003087; color: #fff; }\n .nwsl { background: #0a5c36; color: #fff; }\n\n .teams { color: #e5e7eb; font-size: 12px; }\n .teams strong { color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; }\n .score { color: #C83803; font-weight: bold; font-size: 13px; }\n\n .live { color: #ef4444; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; animation: blink 1.2s infinite; }\n .final { color: #6b7280; font-size: 10px; }\n .upcoming { color: #87ceeb; font-size: 10px; }\n\n @keyframes blink {\n 0%,100% { opacity: 1; }\n 50% { opacity: 0.3; }\n }\n\n .no-games { color: #6b7280; font-size: 11px; padding: 0 20px; }\n .loading { color: #87ceeb; font-size: 11px; padding: 0 20px; animation: blink 1.5s infinite; }\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\n<div class=\"ticker-wrap\">\n <div class=\"ticker-label\">\u26a1 CHI SCORES<\/div>\n <div class=\"ticker-track\">\n <div class=\"ticker-inner\" id=\"ticker\">\n <span class=\"loading\">Loading Chicago scores...<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n\/\/ All 8 Chicago teams\n\/\/ teamId matches ESPN's team abbreviation name so we avoid numeric ID mismatches\nconst ENDPOINTS = [\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/football\/nfl\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NFL', cls: 'nfl', name: 'Bears' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/baseball\/mlb\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHC', badge: 'MLB', cls: 'mlb', name: 'Cubs' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/baseball\/mlb\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CWS', badge: 'MLB', cls: 'mlb', name: 'White Sox' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/basketball\/nba\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NBA', cls: 'nba', name: 'Bulls' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/hockey\/nhl\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NHL', cls: 'nhl', name: 'Blackhawks' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/basketball\/wnba\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'WNBA', cls: 'wnba', name: 'Sky' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/soccer\/usa.1\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'MLS', cls: 'mls', name: 'Fire' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/soccer\/usa.nwsl\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NWSL', cls: 'nwsl', name: 'Stars' },\n];\n\nasync function fetchTeamGame(ep) {\n try {\n const res = await fetch(ep.url);\n const data = await res.json();\n const events = data.events || [];\n\n \/\/ Match by team abbreviation \u2014 avoids numeric ID type mismatch\n const game = events.find(e =>\n e.competitions[0].competitors.some(c =>\n c.team.abbreviation === ep.abbr ||\n (c.team.displayName || '').toLowerCase().includes(ep.name.toLowerCase().split(' ')[0])\n )\n );\n return game ? { game, ...ep } : null;\n } catch(e) { return null; }\n}\n\nfunction formatTime(dateStr) {\n const d = new Date(dateStr);\n return d.toLocaleTimeString('en-US', {\n hour: 'numeric',\n minute: '2-digit',\n timeZone: 'America\/Chicago'\n }) + ' CT';\n}\n\nfunction buildGameHTML({ game, badge, cls, name, abbr }) {\n const comp = game.competitions[0];\n const home = comp.competitors.find(c => c.homeAway === 'home');\n const away = comp.competitors.find(c => c.homeAway === 'away');\n const status = game.status.type.name;\n\n const homeAbbr = home.team.abbreviation;\n const awayAbbr = away.team.abbreviation;\n\n \/\/ Bold the Chicago team name\n const isChiHome = homeAbbr === abbr ||\n (home.team.displayName || '').toLowerCase().includes(name.toLowerCase().split(' ')[0]);\n const homeLabel = isChiHome ? `<strong>${homeAbbr}<\/strong>` : homeAbbr;\n const awayLabel = !isChiHome ? `<strong>${awayAbbr}<\/strong>` : awayAbbr;\n\n const hs = home.score ?? '';\n const as = away.score ?? '';\n\n let scoreHTML = '';\n let statusHTML = '';\n\n if (status === 'STATUS_IN_PROGRESS') {\n const clock = game.status.displayClock || '';\n const period = game.status.period || '';\n if (hs !== '' && as !== '') scoreHTML = `<span class=\"score\">${as}\u2013${hs}<\/span>`;\n statusHTML = `<span class=\"live\">\u25cf LIVE ${period ? period : ''} ${clock}<\/span>`;\n\n } else if (\n status === 'STATUS_FINAL' ||\n status === 'STATUS_FULL_TIME' ||\n status === 'STATUS_FT'\n ) {\n if (hs !== '' && as !== '') scoreHTML = `<span class=\"score\">${as}\u2013${hs}<\/span>`;\n statusHTML = `<span class=\"final\">FINAL<\/span>`;\n\n } else {\n \/\/ Scheduled \u2014 show start time in CT\n statusHTML = `<span class=\"upcoming\">${formatTime(game.date)}<\/span>`;\n }\n\n return `<div class=\"game\">\n <span class=\"badge ${cls}\">${badge}<\/span>\n <span class=\"teams\">${awayLabel} @ ${homeLabel}<\/span>\n ${scoreHTML}\n ${statusHTML}\n <\/div>`;\n}\n\nasync function buildTicker() {\n const ticker = document.getElementById('ticker');\n const results = await Promise.all(ENDPOINTS.map(fetchTeamGame));\n const games = results.filter(Boolean).map(buildGameHTML);\n\n if (games.length === 0) {\n ticker.innerHTML = `\n <span class=\"no-games\">No Chicago games scheduled today \ud83d\udc3b \u2014 Bears \u00b7 Cubs \u00b7 Sox \u00b7 Bulls \u00b7 Hawks \u00b7 Sky \u00b7 Fire \u00b7 Stars<\/span>\n <span class=\"no-games\" style=\"padding-left:60px;\">No Chicago games scheduled today \ud83d\udc3b \u2014 Bears \u00b7 Cubs \u00b7 Sox \u00b7 Bulls \u00b7 Hawks \u00b7 Sky \u00b7 Fire \u00b7 Stars<\/span>`;\n return;\n }\n\n \/\/ Duplicate for seamless infinite scroll loop\n const html = games.join('');\n ticker.innerHTML = html + html;\n}\n\nbuildTicker();\nsetInterval(buildTicker, 60000); \/\/ Refresh every 60 seconds for live updates\n<\/script>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c03064 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8c03064\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{"background_background":"classic"}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1f37fd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b1f37fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54d6388 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"54d6388\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-73\" alt=\"Chicago Bears caleb Williams\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14e304a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14e304a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u26a1FEATURED<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c7b0c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9c7b0c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chicago Sports Guru - We talk sports like you talk sports<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bae785e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bae785e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A site made for Chicago sports fans by Chicago sports fans. We are sports blog dedicated the following our teams on and off season. We aim to be the alternative to the giant sports websites that focus mainly on New York and the east coast.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5235da8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5235da8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Story <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7f39fa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f7f39fa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a54a67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"6a54a67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<style>\n.chi-cards {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n gap: 10px;\n padding: 10px 0;\n}\n\n.chi-card {\n background: #ffffff;\n border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;\n border-left: 4px solid #ccc;\n border-radius: 6px;\n padding: 12px 14px;\n cursor: pointer;\n transition: transform 0.15s, box-shadow 0.15s;\n}\n\n.chi-card:hover {\n transform: translateX(3px);\n box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\n}\n\n\/* Team accent colors on left border *\/\n.chi-card.bears { border-left-color: #C83803; }\n.chi-card.cubs { border-left-color: #003087; }\n.chi-card.whitesox { border-left-color: #000000; }\n.chi-card.bulls { border-left-color: #ce1141; }\n\n.chi-card-badge {\n display: inline-block;\n font-size: 9px;\n font-weight: bold;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n padding: 2px 7px;\n border-radius: 3px;\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n color: #fff;\n}\n\n.badge-bears { background: #C83803; }\n.badge-cubs { background: #003087; }\n.badge-whitesox { background: #000000; }\n.badge-bulls { background: #ce1141; }\n\n.chi-card-title {\n font-family: 'Oswald', sans-serif;\n font-size: 14px;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: #0d1428;\n line-height: 1.35;\n margin: 0;\n}\n\n.chi-card-meta {\n font-size: 10px;\n color: #9ca3af;\n margin-top: 5px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"chi-cards\">\n\n \n <div class=\"chi-card bears\">\n <div class=\"chi-card-badge badge-bears\">Bears<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-title\">Your Bears headline goes here \u2014 click to edit<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-meta\">Chicago Bears \u00b7 Just now<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"chi-card cubs\">\n <div class=\"chi-card-badge badge-cubs\">Cubs<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-title\">Your Cubs headline goes here \u2014 click to edit<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-meta\">Chicago Cubs \u00b7 Just now<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"chi-card whitesox\">\n <div class=\"chi-card-badge badge-whitesox\">White Sox<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-title\">Your White Sox headline goes here \u2014 click to edit<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-meta\">Chicago White Sox \u00b7 Just now<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"chi-card bulls\">\n <div class=\"chi-card-badge badge-bulls\">Bulls<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-title\">Your Bulls headline goes here \u2014 click to edit<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-meta\">Chicago Bulls \u00b7 Just now<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb3d8bb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"eb3d8bb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{"background_background":"classic"}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-911aac0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"911aac0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Latest posts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a6f715a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a6f715a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-150ca6c elementor-grid-eael-col-4 elementor-grid-tablet-eael-col-2 elementor-grid-mobile-eael-col-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-post-grid\" data-id=\"150ca6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{"eael_post_grid_columns":"eael-col-4","eael_post_grid_columns_tablet":"eael-col-2","eael_post_grid_columns_mobile":"eael-col-1"}\" data-widget_type=\"eael-post-grid.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"eael-post-grid-150ca6c\" class=\"eael-post-grid-container\">\n <div class=\"eael-post-grid eael-post-appender eael-post-appender-150ca6c eael-post-grid-style-one\" data-layout-mode=\"masonry\"><article class=\"eael-grid-post eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-272 category-cubs tags-chicagocubs-cubs-dodgers-tradeline-wrigleyfield-mlb-wrigley-field\" data-id=\"272\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder-inner\"><div class=\"eael-entry-wrapper\"><header class=\"eael-entry-header\"><h2 class=\"eael-entry-title\"><a class=\"eael-grid-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=272\" title=\"Cubs Trade Deadline Breakdown and Dodgers win\">Cubs Trade Deadline Breakdown and Dodgers win<\/a><\/h2><\/header><div class=\"eael-entry-content\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-excerpt\"><p>Deadline Day, Delivered: Breaking Down Every Cubs Trade \u2014 And a 10-5 Statement Win Over the Dodgers There are days...<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=272\" class=\"eael-post-elements-readmore-btn\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-footer\"><div class=\"eael-author-avatar\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\"><img alt='chicagosportsguru.com' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85bf3f4b53e6a8bba517dd891c05e31cc2526fa1414e5b7fb4f1f6fd4848abb7?s=96&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85bf3f4b53e6a8bba517dd891c05e31cc2526fa1414e5b7fb4f1f6fd4848abb7?s=192&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-meta\"><span class=\"eael-posted-by\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\" title=\"Posts by chicagosportsguru.com\" rel=\"author\">chicagosportsguru.com<\/a><\/span><span class=\"eael-posted-on\"><time datetime=\"4 August 2026\">4 August 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article><article class=\"eael-grid-post eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-270 category-blog\" data-id=\"270\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder-inner\"><div class=\"eael-entry-wrapper\"><header class=\"eael-entry-header\"><h2 class=\"eael-entry-title\"><a class=\"eael-grid-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=270\" title=\"White Sox Trade Deadline Haul- Pitch by Pitch\">White Sox Trade Deadline Haul- Pitch by Pitch<\/a><\/h2><\/header><div class=\"eael-entry-content\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-excerpt\"><p>\ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f REBUILD REPORT: Breaking Down Getz’s Deadline Haul \u2014 Pitch by Pitch South Side Sox Blog Let’s not bury the...<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=270\" class=\"eael-post-elements-readmore-btn\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-footer\"><div class=\"eael-author-avatar\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\"><img alt='chicagosportsguru.com' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85bf3f4b53e6a8bba517dd891c05e31cc2526fa1414e5b7fb4f1f6fd4848abb7?s=96&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85bf3f4b53e6a8bba517dd891c05e31cc2526fa1414e5b7fb4f1f6fd4848abb7?s=192&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-meta\"><span class=\"eael-posted-by\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\" title=\"Posts by chicagosportsguru.com\" rel=\"author\">chicagosportsguru.com<\/a><\/span><span class=\"eael-posted-on\"><time datetime=\"4 August 2026\">4 August 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article><article class=\"eael-grid-post eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-268 category-cubs tags-brewers-chicagocubs-mlb-padres-wrigley-field\" data-id=\"268\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder-inner\"><div class=\"eael-entry-wrapper\"><header class=\"eael-entry-header\"><h2 class=\"eael-entry-title\"><a class=\"eael-grid-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=268\" title=\"Cubs Steal Series in Milwaukee – Padres next at Wrigley\">Cubs Steal Series in Milwaukee – Padres next at Wrigley<\/a><\/h2><\/header><div class=\"eael-entry-content\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-excerpt\"><p>\ud83d\udd25 CLAWING BACK IN MILWAUKEE: Cubs Take the Series, Now Welcome the Padres to the Friendly Confines Posted by: Cubbie...<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=268\" class=\"eael-post-elements-readmore-btn\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-footer\"><div class=\"eael-author-avatar\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\"><img alt='chicagosportsguru.com' 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tab)<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cff-bio\">Chicago Sports Guru - We talk sports like you talk sports<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"cff-wrapper-ctn \" ><div id=\"cff\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Facebook feed\" class=\"cff cff-list-container cff-default-styles cff-mob-cols-1 cff-tab-cols-1\" style=\"width:100%;\" data-char=\"400\" ><div class=\"cff-posts-wrap\" role=\"list\"><div role=\"listitem\" id=\"cff_1179788338543450_122123245575336733\" class=\"cff-item cff-status-post author-chicago-sports-guru\" style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">\n\t<div class=\"cff-author\">\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cff-page-name cff-author-date\" >\n\t\t\t\t<strong role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" >Chicago Sports Guru<\/a><\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"cff-story\"> is feeling fantastic with Chicago Bears.<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"cff-date\" > 4 days ago <\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t\ud83d\udc3b **BEARS 59, PANTHERS 37 \u2014 WEEK 1 IS OFFICIALLY A STATEMENT** \ud83d\udc3b<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Ninety-six combined points. The highest-scoring season opener in NFL history. And your Chicago Bears were on the right side of it \u2014 59-37 over Carolina down in Charlotte, and I don't care that it wasn't pretty on one side of the ball, because Caleb Williams looked like a problem yesterday.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Let's start there, because this is the conversation this franchise has needed for two decades: Caleb went 21-for-29, 269 yards, 2 touchdowns through the air, ZERO picks \u2014 and then took off and ran for 65 yards and 2 more scores on the ground. Four total touchdowns. He put a dime on a 22-yard strike to Cole Kmet that Ben Johnson couldn't stop smiling about afterward. This is not Grossman. This is not Trubisky trying to survive a play. This looked like a quarterback operating with command. One game. Eyes open. But damn, that's how you want a season to start.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>D'Andre Swift ran wild \u2014 18 carries, 124 yards, 3 touchdowns. The offense scored touchdowns on 7 of their final 8 real drives after fumbling away the opening possession. Once this group got rolling, Carolina had no answer.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Now the part that keeps this Bears fan from popping champagne: the defense. 37 points allowed. 478 yards. 361 through the air to Bryce Young, who had himself a night \u2014 23-for-37, 361, 3 TDs. Montez Sweat said it best after the game, and I'm paraphrasing because I'm not putting words in his mouth that aren't his: he basically said you don't win many football games giving up 400-ish yards through the air and 40 points, and he's right. That's not Bears football. That's not Butkus and Urlacher and Singletary football. Da Bears defense has an identity to live up to, and Sunday it went missing for stretches.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>So here's the honest grade: A on the scoreboard, A on the quarterback, C-minus on a defense that has real work to do before Soldier Field's first Sunday of the year gets here. We are 1-0. We'll take 1-0 with concerns over 0-1 with excuses every single time.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>But make no mistake \u2014 Caleb Williams looked like the guy we've been waiting on since the last time this team played meaningful January football. One game doesn't<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/436993839714632\">#chicagobears<\/a>d<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/175564472591586\">#BearDown<\/a>e<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/347597988677826\">#NFL<\/a>reak. But it's a damn good start.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>1-0. Onward. Bear Down. \ud83d\udc3b\ud83d\udd25<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>#chicagobears #BearDown #NFL\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"cff-expand\">... <button type=\"button\" class=\"cff-readmore\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"color: #\"><span class=\"cff-more\">See More<\/span><span class=\"cff-less\">See Less<\/span><\/button><\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"cff-post-links\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cff-viewpost-facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" title=\"View on Facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" >View on Facebook<span class=\"cff-screenreader\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cff-share-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"cff-dot\" >·<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cff-share-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffacebook.com%2F1179788338543450\" title=\"Share\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t## Sox Take the Getaway Day, Spare Themselves the Ultimate Embarrassment<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Let's not pretend a series loss to the Cubs feels like anything but a series loss to the Cubs. But Wednesday afternoon at that ivy-covered tourist trap, the South Siders found some pride and walked out of Wrigley with a 3-0 shutout to avoid getting swept in the finale. Take the win. Lord knows we don't get many easy ones this year.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>This wasn't Urquidy starting and cruising. It was a bullpen game done right: Sean Newcomb opened and tossed two hitless innings, then Urquidy entered in the third and struck out eight without issuing a walk. Call it an "opener," call it whatever the analytics department wants \u2014 six shutout innings of bulk relief with eight punchouts and zero walks is filthy no matter what you name it, and Urquidy walked away with the win for his trouble. Grant Taylor worked the ninth for his seventh save, and while he wasn't perfect \u2014 he issued a walk \u2014 the story of the day was simple: three Sox pitchers combined to hold Chicago's north side team to two hits all afternoon.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Clay Holmes was sharp for the Cubs too, allowing one run on six hits over 5\u2153 innings with two walks in his third start since the Cubs grabbed him at the deadline. His new teammate Tyrone Taylor, also acquired in that deal, had the Cubs' only two hits\u2014 a leadoff double in the sixth that died at third base trying to advance station-to-station. That's the difference in a nutshell: the Cubs got heroics that went nowhere, the Sox got production that counted.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The offense did just enough, and did it late.**<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Andrew Benintendi broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single in the sixth, and Braden Montgomery \u2014 still looking like he belongs \u2014 delivered a two-run double off the glove of Michael Busch in the eighth to put it away. Miguel Vargas chipped in two hits and scored twice. Nine hits, three runs, and for one afternoon, a lineup that didn't leave everybody on base \u2014 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position isn't a masterpiece, but it held up.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Give some credit to the glove too: Sam Antonacci made a leaping catch against the ivy to rob Alex Bregman in the seventh and keep the lead intact. That's the kind of unsexy, winning-the-margins baseball we've been begging to see all year.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**Let's be honest about the whole trip.**<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Monday's 7-5 and Tuesday's 4-3 were both losses that ended in Cubs walk-offs \u2014 the kind that get replayed on the back page all week. Wednesday's win snapped an eight-game losing streak for the White Sox at Wrigley Field that dated back to August 2023 \u2014 that's not a small thing, that's a long-overdue exorcism. And for the record: this brings the season series between these two clubs to 3-3 \u2014 so don't let anybody tell you the North Side owns this city. We're even, and it's still August.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Nobody remembers a random Wednesday getaway game in the standings come October. But bullpen games that work, gloves that make plays, and a losing streak at that ballpark finally put down \u2014 that's how you build something. 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t\ud83d\udc3b\ud83d\udd35 CUBS WIN. CUBS WIN. And Wrigley did what Wrigley does \u2014 made us sweat for it, then made it worth it.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>4-3 over the White Sox last night, and if you left before that rain delay, I'm sorry, you missed one of the better Crosstown finishes we've had in years.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Here's how it went down: PCA opens the scoring with a leadoff bomb \u2014 his SECOND straight night starting a game with a homer, because apparently subtlety isn't in his vocabulary right now. Michael Busch follows with one of his own, and just like that the Cubs have back-to-back two-homer first innings against the Sox. That's not a coincidence, that's a lineup with its foot on the gas.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Then things got shaky. Kevin Gausman \u2014 making his first start at Wrigley since we got him at the deadline \u2014 did NOT have his best stuff. Two-out singles let the Sox creep back, Munetaka Murakami turned around a pitch for his 29th homer of the year to tie it, and a couple doubles in the fourth put Chicago's other team ahead. Rough way to introduce yourself to the home crowd. Then Gausman needed a trainer visit and left in the fifth with a hand cramp. Not the debut he wanted, but hang in there \u2014 one bad Wrigley night doesn't define a deadline arm.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Give the offense credit: down 3-2, Alex Bregman comes through with a two-out knock in the seventh to tie it right back up. Bregman's been that guy for us lately, and it showed up again when it mattered most.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Then the sky opened up. Well \u2014 almost. The tarp came out before a drop even fell, the grounds crew saw the radar and wasn't taking chances. 88 minutes standing around Wrigleyville in a rain delay during a tied Crosstown game is its own special kind of baseball purgatory. The crowd stuck around anyway, because that's what we do.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>When it resumed, this is where it got fun. Bottom of the ninth: Carson Kelly leads off with a double. One out later, they put PCA on with an intentional walk \u2014 the classic set-up move. Except it set up exactly the wrong matchup, because two outs in, here comes Bregman, and he rips one back up the middle. Ballgame. Cubs win it 4-3.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>That's the Cubs' 13th walkoff win at Wrigley this season, with Bregman delivering the biggest hit twice in the same game \u2014 the tying knock in the seventh AND the game-winner in the ninth. Thirteen walkoffs. That's not luck, that's a team that knows how to finish.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>On the mound, Jacob Webb was the unsung hero \u2014 scoreless, picked up the win, and now he's rolling in high-leverage innings when it matters most. Trevor Richards took the hard-luck loss for the Sox after gutting through extra work.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>We're 74-53, sitting second in the NL Central, still chasing Milwaukee, but nights like this \u2014 gritty, rain-soaked, walked-off \u2014 are exactly the kind that build something bigger down the stretch. Crosstown ain't ov<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/151270145036897\">#Cubs<\/a>t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/628628497192426\">#FlyTheW<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/348232248618483\">#crosstown<\/a>s<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/490803590987624\">#wrigley<\/a>n<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/488764087838644\">#whitesox<\/a>i<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/145880325577220\">#Blackhawks<\/a> it out.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Go Cubs. 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t## PCA Does It Again: Cubs Walk Off White Sox 7-5 in Crosstown Classic Opener<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Twelve times this season, the Cubs have won it in the final at-bat. This one might be the loudest of the bunch.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the bottom of the tenth, saw a 2-1 slider from White Sox reliever Hagen Smith, and put it into the right-field patio for a two-run walk-off. Cubs win, 7-5. Series opener in the bag. Wrigley \u2014 an hour after first pitch turned into a Crosstown classic in the literal and figurative sense \u2014 lost its mind.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>This wasn't a clean win. It was a Cubs win, which means it came with heartburn built in.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>PCA set the tone before most fans had found their seats, leading off the first with a homer, and Seiya Suzuki followed him out of the yard back-to-back to make it 2-0 before Luis Castillo could catch his breath. But Shota Imanaga \u2014 who's quietly been must-watch theater for all the wrong reasons this year \u2014 gave it right back, serving up a three-run bomb to Randal Grichuk. That's homer number 29 allowed by Imanaga this season, one off the major-league lead. Not exactly the ace-caliber control Cubs fans were promised, and it's a problem this front office can't paper over forever.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Nico Hoerner, who's been the steadiest heartbeat on this roster all year, punched the Cubs back in front in the fifth on a tapper that turned into two runs thanks to a Miguel Vargas throwing error and Ian Happ hustling home from first. Vintage Cubs opportunism \u2014 take what the other team gives you.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Then the bullpen did what parts of this bullpen have done too often in August: Ryan Zeferjahn, an August pickup from the Angels, coughed up a pinch-hit go-ahead shot to Andrew Benintendi in the eighth. That's five runs allowed in six outings since he arrived \u2014 not the impact the front office was hoping for.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Down to their last outs in the ninth, Hoerner delivered again, an RBI single to force extras, even though the Cubs left the bases loaded with the winning run 90 feet away. Cubs fans know that flavor of anxiety in our bones.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Jacob Webb erased it in the top of the tenth \u2014 22 straight scoreless appearances now, stranding the bases loaded himself to keep it a game. Then Crow-Armstrong made sure nobody remembered the stress.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Final line on PCA: 4-for-5, a double, two homers, three RBI, a stolen base. That's back-to-back 30-30 seasons \u2014 the first player in Cubs franchise history to do it in consecutive years. Sammy Sosa hit 30-30 twice in a Cubs uniform, but never in back-to-back seasons. This kid just did what 150-plus years of Cubs baseball hadn't seen. He's 24.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>The bigger picture is murkier \u2014 Dansby Swanson and Edward Cabrera both went to the IL Monday, and at 73-53 the Cubs still trail Milwaukee by five games with six weeks to go. But for one night at Wrigley, none of that mattered. Just PCA, a curtain call, and a city that got to<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/115788078608424\">#GoCubsGo<\/a>d<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/628628497192426\">#FlyTheW<\/a>u<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/542168862470429\">#chicagocubs<\/a>a<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/151270145036897\">#Cubs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/488764087838644\">#whitesox<\/a>\ud83d\udc3b<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/167974620020317\">#chicagowhitesox<\/a>T<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/480675418654778\">#walkoff<\/a>c<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/509461909092419\">#PCA<\/a>ubs #Cubs #whitesox #chicagowhitesox #walkoff #PCA\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"cff-expand\">... <button type=\"button\" class=\"cff-readmore\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"color: #\"><span class=\"cff-more\">See More<\/span><span class=\"cff-less\">See Less<\/span><\/button><\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cff-shared-link \" >\n\t<div class=\"cff-text-link cff-no-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t# Crosstown Chaos: Sox Come to the Friendly Confines With Both Sides Chasing October<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>There's a version of this rivalry that's just civic theater \u2014 bragging rights, a trophy nobody outside city limits cares about, a chance for CTA riders to talk trash on the Red Line. This isn't that year. Both of these teams are legitimately building playoff resumes, and that alone makes this the highest-stakes Cubs-Sox matchup since the two clubs met in the 1906 World Series \u2014 the only time these franchises have ever collided in October. That Cubs team went a ridiculous 116-36, capping it with a 48-6 tear to close the season, a modern win total nobody matched until the 2001 Mariners. Didn't matter. The White Sox, riding an 18-game surge and a team ERA around 2.13, stole it in six games anyway. That's the wound this rivalry was built on, and 120 years later it still hasn't fully closed.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**So how'd we get here?** The Sox are the story of the American League \u2014 65-58 and sitting in **first place** in the AL Central, up 5\u00bd games on Detroit, a stunning turnaround after a 102-loss teardown of a season in 2025. Nobody outside 35th Street saw that coming, and they're rolling into Wrigley off a sweep of the Tigers. Meanwhile the Cubs, at 72-53, were flying \u2014 nine wins in twelve, closing to within three of the Brewers \u2014 before the Cardinals did what Cardinals do this weekend at Wrigley, taking two of three. Sunday was the low point: an 11-4 loss, right-hander Edward Cabrera getting rocked for seven runs in 3\u2154 innings in his return from a hamstring strain, and worse, Dansby Swanson leaving with a left oblique injury on a third-inning swing. He's headed to the 10-day IL with an MRI pending. That Cubs cushion over Milwaukee is back out to five games with under 40 to play \u2014 the kind of number that keeps a fanbase up at night. We know that feeling. We've built entire personalities around that feeling.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The Swanson hole.** This isn't a bench guy missing time \u2014 Swanson has started 119 of the Cubs' 125 games this year and has played in at least 147 in each of his three full seasons on the North Side. Nico Hoerner slides over to shortstop to cover, with rookie Pedro Ramirez expected to soak up most of the reps at second. Counsell's right that "there's no replacing Dansby," but this is exactly the kind of stretch where organizational depth either shows up or it doesn't.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The rematch.** Back in May at Rate Field, the Sox took two of three off the Cubs, capped by a 9-8 win in the finale \u2014 an early signal that this South Side team wasn't the pushover everyone had penciled in. Chicago owes them one, and with both AL and NL Central races tightening, this set carries real playoff-race weight on top of the usual pride.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The matchups:**<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>- **Mon, Aug 17 \u2013 8:05 PM ET:** Shota Imanaga (8-9, 3.74 ERA, 130 K) vs. Luis Castillo (4-9, 4.96 ERA, 101 K). Imanaga's been the steadiest arm in this rotation all year, and with the bullpen and defense adjusting to life without Swanson, this is exactly the kind of start where his command matters most.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>- **Tue, Aug 18 \u2013 8:05 PM ET:** Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.53 ERA, 138 K) vs. TBD. Gausman, one of the two big rotation pickups the Cubs landed ahead of the August 3 trade deadline (along with Clay Holmes, from Toronto and the Mets respectively), against a Sox lineup that's been punishing mistakes all summer. National TV window on TBS.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>- **Wed, Aug 19 \u2013 2:20 PM ET, getaway day:** Clay Holmes (5-5, 2.56 ERA, 49 K) vs. TBD. Holmes has been the best of the three ERA-wise since arriving, and closing a series like this on a good note matters heading into the stretch run.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**What I'm watching for:** Whether the deadline pitching additions \u2014 Gausman and Holmes specifically \u2014 look like the difference-makers Jed Hoyer bet on when he moved prospects to get them. And whether Hoerner and Ramirez can keep the infield defense from bleeding runs while Swanson's out, because that defense has been a real strength all season.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**My take:** Cubs take two of three. Imanaga sets the tone Monday, the new arms prove their worth Tuesday and Wednesday, and Wrigley reminds everybody why the North Side owns this city even when the standings say the Sox have earned some respect this year. 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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\nChicago Sports Guru Ticker<\/title>\n<style>\n * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n body { background: transparent; }\n\n .ticker-wrap {\n width: 100%;\n background: #0a1628;\n border-top: 2px solid #c8102e;\n border-bottom: 2px solid #c8102e;\n overflow: hidden;\n position: relative;\n height: 40px;\n font-family: 'Arial Narrow', Arial, sans-serif;\n }\n\n .ticker-label {\n position: absolute;\n left: 0; top: 0; bottom: 0;\n background: #c8102e;\n color: #fff;\n font-size: 10px;\n font-weight: bold;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n padding: 0 12px;\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n white-space: nowrap;\n z-index: 10;\n }\n\n .ticker-track {\n height: 40px;\n overflow: hidden;\n padding-left: 115px;\n }\n\n .ticker-inner {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n height: 40px;\n white-space: nowrap;\n animation: scroll 50s linear infinite;\n }\n\n .ticker-inner:hover { animation-play-state: paused; }\n\n @keyframes scroll {\n 0% { transform: translateX(0); }\n 100% { transform: translateX(-50%); }\n }\n\n .game {\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 8px;\n padding: 0 22px;\n border-right: 1px solid #1e3a5f;\n height: 40px;\n font-size: 12px;\n }\n\n .badge {\n font-size: 9px;\n font-weight: bold;\n padding: 2px 5px;\n border-radius: 3px;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n white-space: nowrap;\n }\n .nfl { background: #C83803; color: #fff; }\n .mlb { background: #003087; color: #fff; }\n .nba { background: #ce1141; color: #fff; }\n .nhl { background: #cf0a2c; color: #fff; }\n .wnba { background: #e87722; color: #fff; }\n .mls { background: #003087; color: #fff; }\n .nwsl { background: #0a5c36; color: #fff; }\n\n .teams { color: #e5e7eb; font-size: 12px; }\n .teams strong { color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; }\n .score { color: #C83803; font-weight: bold; font-size: 13px; }\n\n .live { color: #ef4444; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; animation: blink 1.2s infinite; }\n .final { color: #6b7280; font-size: 10px; }\n .upcoming { color: #87ceeb; font-size: 10px; }\n\n @keyframes blink {\n 0%,100% { opacity: 1; }\n 50% { opacity: 0.3; }\n }\n\n .no-games { color: #6b7280; font-size: 11px; padding: 0 20px; }\n .loading { color: #87ceeb; font-size: 11px; padding: 0 20px; animation: blink 1.5s infinite; }\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\n<div class=\"ticker-wrap\">\n <div class=\"ticker-label\">\u26a1 CHI SCORES<\/div>\n <div class=\"ticker-track\">\n <div class=\"ticker-inner\" id=\"ticker\">\n <span class=\"loading\">Loading Chicago scores...<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n\/\/ All 8 Chicago teams\n\/\/ teamId matches ESPN's team abbreviation name so we avoid numeric ID mismatches\nconst ENDPOINTS = [\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/football\/nfl\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NFL', cls: 'nfl', name: 'Bears' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/baseball\/mlb\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHC', badge: 'MLB', cls: 'mlb', name: 'Cubs' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/baseball\/mlb\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CWS', badge: 'MLB', cls: 'mlb', name: 'White Sox' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/basketball\/nba\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NBA', cls: 'nba', name: 'Bulls' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/hockey\/nhl\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NHL', cls: 'nhl', name: 'Blackhawks' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/basketball\/wnba\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'WNBA', cls: 'wnba', name: 'Sky' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/soccer\/usa.1\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'MLS', cls: 'mls', name: 'Fire' },\n { url: 'https:\/\/site.api.espn.com\/apis\/site\/v2\/sports\/soccer\/usa.nwsl\/scoreboard', abbr: 'CHI', badge: 'NWSL', cls: 'nwsl', name: 'Stars' },\n];\n\nasync function fetchTeamGame(ep) {\n try {\n const res = await fetch(ep.url);\n const data = await res.json();\n const events = data.events || [];\n\n \/\/ Match by team abbreviation \u2014 avoids numeric ID type mismatch\n const game = events.find(e =>\n e.competitions[0].competitors.some(c =>\n c.team.abbreviation === ep.abbr ||\n (c.team.displayName || '').toLowerCase().includes(ep.name.toLowerCase().split(' ')[0])\n )\n );\n return game ? { game, ...ep } : null;\n } catch(e) { return null; }\n}\n\nfunction formatTime(dateStr) {\n const d = new Date(dateStr);\n return d.toLocaleTimeString('en-US', {\n hour: 'numeric',\n minute: '2-digit',\n timeZone: 'America\/Chicago'\n }) + ' CT';\n}\n\nfunction buildGameHTML({ game, badge, cls, name, abbr }) {\n const comp = game.competitions[0];\n const home = comp.competitors.find(c => c.homeAway === 'home');\n const away = comp.competitors.find(c => c.homeAway === 'away');\n const status = game.status.type.name;\n\n const homeAbbr = home.team.abbreviation;\n const awayAbbr = away.team.abbreviation;\n\n \/\/ Bold the Chicago team name\n const isChiHome = homeAbbr === abbr ||\n (home.team.displayName || '').toLowerCase().includes(name.toLowerCase().split(' ')[0]);\n const homeLabel = isChiHome ? `<strong>${homeAbbr}<\/strong>` : homeAbbr;\n const awayLabel = !isChiHome ? `<strong>${awayAbbr}<\/strong>` : awayAbbr;\n\n const hs = home.score ?? '';\n const as = away.score ?? '';\n\n let scoreHTML = '';\n let statusHTML = '';\n\n if (status === 'STATUS_IN_PROGRESS') {\n const clock = game.status.displayClock || '';\n const period = game.status.period || '';\n if (hs !== '' && as !== '') scoreHTML = `<span class=\"score\">${as}\u2013${hs}<\/span>`;\n statusHTML = `<span class=\"live\">\u25cf LIVE ${period ? period : ''} ${clock}<\/span>`;\n\n } else if (\n status === 'STATUS_FINAL' ||\n status === 'STATUS_FULL_TIME' ||\n status === 'STATUS_FT'\n ) {\n if (hs !== '' && as !== '') scoreHTML = `<span class=\"score\">${as}\u2013${hs}<\/span>`;\n statusHTML = `<span class=\"final\">FINAL<\/span>`;\n\n } else {\n \/\/ Scheduled \u2014 show start time in CT\n statusHTML = `<span class=\"upcoming\">${formatTime(game.date)}<\/span>`;\n }\n\n return `<div class=\"game\">\n <span class=\"badge ${cls}\">${badge}<\/span>\n <span class=\"teams\">${awayLabel} @ ${homeLabel}<\/span>\n ${scoreHTML}\n ${statusHTML}\n <\/div>`;\n}\n\nasync function buildTicker() {\n const ticker = document.getElementById('ticker');\n const results = await Promise.all(ENDPOINTS.map(fetchTeamGame));\n const games = results.filter(Boolean).map(buildGameHTML);\n\n if (games.length === 0) {\n ticker.innerHTML = `\n <span class=\"no-games\">No Chicago games scheduled today \ud83d\udc3b \u2014 Bears \u00b7 Cubs \u00b7 Sox \u00b7 Bulls \u00b7 Hawks \u00b7 Sky \u00b7 Fire \u00b7 Stars<\/span>\n <span class=\"no-games\" style=\"padding-left:60px;\">No Chicago games scheduled today \ud83d\udc3b \u2014 Bears \u00b7 Cubs \u00b7 Sox \u00b7 Bulls \u00b7 Hawks \u00b7 Sky \u00b7 Fire \u00b7 Stars<\/span>`;\n return;\n }\n\n \/\/ Duplicate for seamless infinite scroll loop\n const html = games.join('');\n ticker.innerHTML = html + html;\n}\n\nbuildTicker();\nsetInterval(buildTicker, 60000); \/\/ Refresh every 60 seconds for live updates\n<\/script>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c03064 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8c03064\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{"background_background":"classic"}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1f37fd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b1f37fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54d6388 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"54d6388\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-73\" alt=\"Chicago Bears caleb Williams\" srcset=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/caleb-williams.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14e304a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"14e304a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u26a1FEATURED<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c7b0c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9c7b0c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chicago Sports Guru - We talk sports like you talk sports<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bae785e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bae785e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A site made for Chicago sports fans by Chicago sports fans. We are sports blog dedicated the following our teams on and off season. We aim to be the alternative to the giant sports websites that focus mainly on New York and the east coast.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5235da8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5235da8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read Full Story <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f7f39fa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f7f39fa\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a54a67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"6a54a67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n<style>\n.chi-cards {\n display: flex;\n flex-direction: column;\n gap: 10px;\n padding: 10px 0;\n}\n\n.chi-card {\n background: #ffffff;\n border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;\n border-left: 4px solid #ccc;\n border-radius: 6px;\n padding: 12px 14px;\n cursor: pointer;\n transition: transform 0.15s, box-shadow 0.15s;\n}\n\n.chi-card:hover {\n transform: translateX(3px);\n box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);\n}\n\n\/* Team accent colors on left border *\/\n.chi-card.bears { border-left-color: #C83803; }\n.chi-card.cubs { border-left-color: #003087; }\n.chi-card.whitesox { border-left-color: #000000; }\n.chi-card.bulls { border-left-color: #ce1141; }\n\n.chi-card-badge {\n display: inline-block;\n font-size: 9px;\n font-weight: bold;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n letter-spacing: 1px;\n padding: 2px 7px;\n border-radius: 3px;\n margin-bottom: 6px;\n color: #fff;\n}\n\n.badge-bears { background: #C83803; }\n.badge-cubs { background: #003087; }\n.badge-whitesox { background: #000000; }\n.badge-bulls { background: #ce1141; }\n\n.chi-card-title {\n font-family: 'Oswald', sans-serif;\n font-size: 14px;\n font-weight: 600;\n color: #0d1428;\n line-height: 1.35;\n margin: 0;\n}\n\n.chi-card-meta {\n font-size: 10px;\n color: #9ca3af;\n margin-top: 5px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"chi-cards\">\n\n \n <div class=\"chi-card bears\">\n <div class=\"chi-card-badge badge-bears\">Bears<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-title\">Your Bears headline goes here \u2014 click to edit<\/div>\n <div class=\"chi-card-meta\">Chicago Bears \u00b7 Just now<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <div class=\"chi-card cubs\">\n <div class=\"chi-card-badge badge-cubs\">Cubs<\/div>\n <div 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rel=\"author\">chicagosportsguru.com<\/a><\/span><span class=\"eael-posted-on\"><time datetime=\"4 August 2026\">4 August 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article><article class=\"eael-grid-post eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-270 category-blog\" data-id=\"270\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder-inner\"><div class=\"eael-entry-wrapper\"><header class=\"eael-entry-header\"><h2 class=\"eael-entry-title\"><a class=\"eael-grid-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=270\" title=\"White Sox Trade Deadline Haul- Pitch by Pitch\">White Sox Trade Deadline Haul- Pitch by Pitch<\/a><\/h2><\/header><div class=\"eael-entry-content\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-excerpt\"><p>\ud83c\udfd7\ufe0f REBUILD REPORT: Breaking Down Getz’s Deadline Haul \u2014 Pitch by Pitch South Side Sox Blog Let’s not bury the...<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=270\" class=\"eael-post-elements-readmore-btn\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-footer\"><div class=\"eael-author-avatar\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\"><img alt='chicagosportsguru.com' src='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85bf3f4b53e6a8bba517dd891c05e31cc2526fa1414e5b7fb4f1f6fd4848abb7?s=96&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/85bf3f4b53e6a8bba517dd891c05e31cc2526fa1414e5b7fb4f1f6fd4848abb7?s=192&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-meta\"><span class=\"eael-posted-by\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\" title=\"Posts by chicagosportsguru.com\" rel=\"author\">chicagosportsguru.com<\/a><\/span><span class=\"eael-posted-on\"><time datetime=\"4 August 2026\">4 August 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article><article class=\"eael-grid-post eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-268 category-cubs tags-brewers-chicagocubs-mlb-padres-wrigley-field\" data-id=\"268\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-holder-inner\"><div class=\"eael-entry-wrapper\"><header class=\"eael-entry-header\"><h2 class=\"eael-entry-title\"><a class=\"eael-grid-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=268\" title=\"Cubs Steal Series in Milwaukee – Padres next at Wrigley\">Cubs Steal Series in Milwaukee – Padres next at Wrigley<\/a><\/h2><\/header><div class=\"eael-entry-content\">\n <div class=\"eael-grid-post-excerpt\"><p>\ud83d\udd25 CLAWING BACK IN MILWAUKEE: Cubs Take the Series, Now Welcome the Padres to the Friendly Confines Posted by: Cubbie...<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?p=268\" class=\"eael-post-elements-readmore-btn\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n <\/div><div class=\"eael-entry-footer\"><div class=\"eael-author-avatar\"><a href=\"https:\/\/chicagosportsguru.com\/?author=1\"><img alt='chicagosportsguru.com' 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tab)<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cff-bio\">Chicago Sports Guru - We talk sports like you talk sports<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"cff-wrapper-ctn \" ><div id=\"cff\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Facebook feed\" class=\"cff cff-list-container cff-default-styles cff-mob-cols-1 cff-tab-cols-1\" style=\"width:100%;\" data-char=\"400\" ><div class=\"cff-posts-wrap\" role=\"list\"><div role=\"listitem\" id=\"cff_1179788338543450_122123245575336733\" class=\"cff-item cff-status-post author-chicago-sports-guru\" style=\"border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\">\n\t<div class=\"cff-author\">\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cff-page-name cff-author-date\" >\n\t\t\t\t<strong role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" >Chicago Sports Guru<\/a><\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"cff-story\"> is feeling fantastic with Chicago Bears.<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n<p class=\"cff-date\" > 4 days ago <\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t\ud83d\udc3b **BEARS 59, PANTHERS 37 \u2014 WEEK 1 IS OFFICIALLY A STATEMENT** \ud83d\udc3b<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Ninety-six combined points. The highest-scoring season opener in NFL history. And your Chicago Bears were on the right side of it \u2014 59-37 over Carolina down in Charlotte, and I don't care that it wasn't pretty on one side of the ball, because Caleb Williams looked like a problem yesterday.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Let's start there, because this is the conversation this franchise has needed for two decades: Caleb went 21-for-29, 269 yards, 2 touchdowns through the air, ZERO picks \u2014 and then took off and ran for 65 yards and 2 more scores on the ground. Four total touchdowns. He put a dime on a 22-yard strike to Cole Kmet that Ben Johnson couldn't stop smiling about afterward. This is not Grossman. This is not Trubisky trying to survive a play. This looked like a quarterback operating with command. One game. Eyes open. But damn, that's how you want a season to start.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>D'Andre Swift ran wild \u2014 18 carries, 124 yards, 3 touchdowns. The offense scored touchdowns on 7 of their final 8 real drives after fumbling away the opening possession. Once this group got rolling, Carolina had no answer.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Now the part that keeps this Bears fan from popping champagne: the defense. 37 points allowed. 478 yards. 361 through the air to Bryce Young, who had himself a night \u2014 23-for-37, 361, 3 TDs. Montez Sweat said it best after the game, and I'm paraphrasing because I'm not putting words in his mouth that aren't his: he basically said you don't win many football games giving up 400-ish yards through the air and 40 points, and he's right. That's not Bears football. That's not Butkus and Urlacher and Singletary football. Da Bears defense has an identity to live up to, and Sunday it went missing for stretches.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>So here's the honest grade: A on the scoreboard, A on the quarterback, C-minus on a defense that has real work to do before Soldier Field's first Sunday of the year gets here. We are 1-0. We'll take 1-0 with concerns over 0-1 with excuses every single time.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>But make no mistake \u2014 Caleb Williams looked like the guy we've been waiting on since the last time this team played meaningful January football. One game doesn't<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/436993839714632\">#chicagobears<\/a>d<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/175564472591586\">#BearDown<\/a>e<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/347597988677826\">#NFL<\/a>reak. But it's a damn good start.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>1-0. Onward. Bear Down. \ud83d\udc3b\ud83d\udd25<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>#chicagobears #BearDown #NFL\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"cff-expand\">... <button type=\"button\" class=\"cff-readmore\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"color: #\"><span class=\"cff-more\">See More<\/span><span class=\"cff-less\">See Less<\/span><\/button><\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"cff-post-links\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cff-viewpost-facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" title=\"View on Facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" >View on Facebook<span class=\"cff-screenreader\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cff-share-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"cff-dot\" >·<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"cff-share-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ffacebook.com%2F1179788338543450\" title=\"Share\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t## Sox Take the Getaway Day, Spare Themselves the Ultimate Embarrassment<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Let's not pretend a series loss to the Cubs feels like anything but a series loss to the Cubs. But Wednesday afternoon at that ivy-covered tourist trap, the South Siders found some pride and walked out of Wrigley with a 3-0 shutout to avoid getting swept in the finale. Take the win. Lord knows we don't get many easy ones this year.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>This wasn't Urquidy starting and cruising. It was a bullpen game done right: Sean Newcomb opened and tossed two hitless innings, then Urquidy entered in the third and struck out eight without issuing a walk. Call it an "opener," call it whatever the analytics department wants \u2014 six shutout innings of bulk relief with eight punchouts and zero walks is filthy no matter what you name it, and Urquidy walked away with the win for his trouble. Grant Taylor worked the ninth for his seventh save, and while he wasn't perfect \u2014 he issued a walk \u2014 the story of the day was simple: three Sox pitchers combined to hold Chicago's north side team to two hits all afternoon.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Clay Holmes was sharp for the Cubs too, allowing one run on six hits over 5\u2153 innings with two walks in his third start since the Cubs grabbed him at the deadline. His new teammate Tyrone Taylor, also acquired in that deal, had the Cubs' only two hits\u2014 a leadoff double in the sixth that died at third base trying to advance station-to-station. That's the difference in a nutshell: the Cubs got heroics that went nowhere, the Sox got production that counted.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The offense did just enough, and did it late.**<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Andrew Benintendi broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single in the sixth, and Braden Montgomery \u2014 still looking like he belongs \u2014 delivered a two-run double off the glove of Michael Busch in the eighth to put it away. Miguel Vargas chipped in two hits and scored twice. Nine hits, three runs, and for one afternoon, a lineup that didn't leave everybody on base \u2014 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position isn't a masterpiece, but it held up.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Give some credit to the glove too: Sam Antonacci made a leaping catch against the ivy to rob Alex Bregman in the seventh and keep the lead intact. That's the kind of unsexy, winning-the-margins baseball we've been begging to see all year.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**Let's be honest about the whole trip.**<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Monday's 7-5 and Tuesday's 4-3 were both losses that ended in Cubs walk-offs \u2014 the kind that get replayed on the back page all week. Wednesday's win snapped an eight-game losing streak for the White Sox at Wrigley Field that dated back to August 2023 \u2014 that's not a small thing, that's a long-overdue exorcism. And for the record: this brings the season series between these two clubs to 3-3 \u2014 so don't let anybody tell you the North Side owns this city. We're even, and it's still August.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Nobody remembers a random Wednesday getaway game in the standings come October. But bullpen games that work, gloves that make plays, and a losing streak at that ballpark finally put down \u2014 that's how you build something. Go Sox.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/488764087838644\">#whitesox<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/501791236533691\">#wrigleyfield<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/542168862470429\">#chicagocubs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/151270145036897\">#Cubs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/167974620020317\">#chicagowhitesox<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/348232248618483\">#crosstown<\/a>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"cff-expand\">... <button type=\"button\" class=\"cff-readmore\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"color: #\"><span class=\"cff-more\">See More<\/span><span class=\"cff-less\">See Less<\/span><\/button><\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cff-shared-link \" >\n\t<div class=\"cff-text-link cff-no-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cff-link-title\" >\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/100080969580797\" target=\"_blank\" 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t\ud83d\udc3b\ud83d\udd35 CUBS WIN. CUBS WIN. And Wrigley did what Wrigley does \u2014 made us sweat for it, then made it worth it.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>4-3 over the White Sox last night, and if you left before that rain delay, I'm sorry, you missed one of the better Crosstown finishes we've had in years.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Here's how it went down: PCA opens the scoring with a leadoff bomb \u2014 his SECOND straight night starting a game with a homer, because apparently subtlety isn't in his vocabulary right now. Michael Busch follows with one of his own, and just like that the Cubs have back-to-back two-homer first innings against the Sox. That's not a coincidence, that's a lineup with its foot on the gas.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Then things got shaky. Kevin Gausman \u2014 making his first start at Wrigley since we got him at the deadline \u2014 did NOT have his best stuff. Two-out singles let the Sox creep back, Munetaka Murakami turned around a pitch for his 29th homer of the year to tie it, and a couple doubles in the fourth put Chicago's other team ahead. Rough way to introduce yourself to the home crowd. Then Gausman needed a trainer visit and left in the fifth with a hand cramp. Not the debut he wanted, but hang in there \u2014 one bad Wrigley night doesn't define a deadline arm.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Give the offense credit: down 3-2, Alex Bregman comes through with a two-out knock in the seventh to tie it right back up. Bregman's been that guy for us lately, and it showed up again when it mattered most.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Then the sky opened up. Well \u2014 almost. The tarp came out before a drop even fell, the grounds crew saw the radar and wasn't taking chances. 88 minutes standing around Wrigleyville in a rain delay during a tied Crosstown game is its own special kind of baseball purgatory. The crowd stuck around anyway, because that's what we do.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>When it resumed, this is where it got fun. Bottom of the ninth: Carson Kelly leads off with a double. One out later, they put PCA on with an intentional walk \u2014 the classic set-up move. Except it set up exactly the wrong matchup, because two outs in, here comes Bregman, and he rips one back up the middle. Ballgame. Cubs win it 4-3.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>That's the Cubs' 13th walkoff win at Wrigley this season, with Bregman delivering the biggest hit twice in the same game \u2014 the tying knock in the seventh AND the game-winner in the ninth. Thirteen walkoffs. That's not luck, that's a team that knows how to finish.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>On the mound, Jacob Webb was the unsung hero \u2014 scoreless, picked up the win, and now he's rolling in high-leverage innings when it matters most. Trevor Richards took the hard-luck loss for the Sox after gutting through extra work.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>We're 74-53, sitting second in the NL Central, still chasing Milwaukee, but nights like this \u2014 gritty, rain-soaked, walked-off \u2014 are exactly the kind that build something bigger down the stretch. Crosstown ain't ov<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/151270145036897\">#Cubs<\/a>t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/628628497192426\">#FlyTheW<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/348232248618483\">#crosstown<\/a>s<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/490803590987624\">#wrigley<\/a>n<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/488764087838644\">#whitesox<\/a>i<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/145880325577220\">#Blackhawks<\/a> it out.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Go Cubs. Fly the W. \ud83d\udc3b\ud83d\udd35<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>#Cubs #FlyTheW #Crosstown #Wrigley #whitesox #Blackhawks\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"cff-expand\">... <button type=\"button\" class=\"cff-readmore\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"color: #\"><span class=\"cff-more\">See More<\/span><span class=\"cff-less\">See Less<\/span><\/button><\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cff-shared-link \" >\n\t<div class=\"cff-text-link cff-no-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cff-link-title\" >\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/100080969580797\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color:#;\">Wrigley Field<\/a>\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cff-link-caption\" style=\"font-size:12px;\" >facebook.com<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"cff-post-desc\" ><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"cff-post-links\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t## PCA Does It Again: Cubs Walk Off White Sox 7-5 in Crosstown Classic Opener<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Twelve times this season, the Cubs have won it in the final at-bat. This one might be the loudest of the bunch.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the bottom of the tenth, saw a 2-1 slider from White Sox reliever Hagen Smith, and put it into the right-field patio for a two-run walk-off. Cubs win, 7-5. Series opener in the bag. Wrigley \u2014 an hour after first pitch turned into a Crosstown classic in the literal and figurative sense \u2014 lost its mind.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>This wasn't a clean win. It was a Cubs win, which means it came with heartburn built in.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>PCA set the tone before most fans had found their seats, leading off the first with a homer, and Seiya Suzuki followed him out of the yard back-to-back to make it 2-0 before Luis Castillo could catch his breath. But Shota Imanaga \u2014 who's quietly been must-watch theater for all the wrong reasons this year \u2014 gave it right back, serving up a three-run bomb to Randal Grichuk. That's homer number 29 allowed by Imanaga this season, one off the major-league lead. Not exactly the ace-caliber control Cubs fans were promised, and it's a problem this front office can't paper over forever.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Nico Hoerner, who's been the steadiest heartbeat on this roster all year, punched the Cubs back in front in the fifth on a tapper that turned into two runs thanks to a Miguel Vargas throwing error and Ian Happ hustling home from first. Vintage Cubs opportunism \u2014 take what the other team gives you.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Then the bullpen did what parts of this bullpen have done too often in August: Ryan Zeferjahn, an August pickup from the Angels, coughed up a pinch-hit go-ahead shot to Andrew Benintendi in the eighth. That's five runs allowed in six outings since he arrived \u2014 not the impact the front office was hoping for.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Down to their last outs in the ninth, Hoerner delivered again, an RBI single to force extras, even though the Cubs left the bases loaded with the winning run 90 feet away. Cubs fans know that flavor of anxiety in our bones.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Jacob Webb erased it in the top of the tenth \u2014 22 straight scoreless appearances now, stranding the bases loaded himself to keep it a game. Then Crow-Armstrong made sure nobody remembered the stress.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>Final line on PCA: 4-for-5, a double, two homers, three RBI, a stolen base. That's back-to-back 30-30 seasons \u2014 the first player in Cubs franchise history to do it in consecutive years. Sammy Sosa hit 30-30 twice in a Cubs uniform, but never in back-to-back seasons. This kid just did what 150-plus years of Cubs baseball hadn't seen. He's 24.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>The bigger picture is murkier \u2014 Dansby Swanson and Edward Cabrera both went to the IL Monday, and at 73-53 the Cubs still trail Milwaukee by five games with six weeks to go. But for one night at Wrigley, none of that mattered. Just PCA, a curtain call, and a city that got to<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/115788078608424\">#GoCubsGo<\/a>d<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/628628497192426\">#FlyTheW<\/a>u<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/542168862470429\">#chicagocubs<\/a>a<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/151270145036897\">#Cubs<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/488764087838644\">#whitesox<\/a>\ud83d\udc3b<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/167974620020317\">#chicagowhitesox<\/a>T<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/480675418654778\">#walkoff<\/a>c<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/509461909092419\">#PCA<\/a>ubs #Cubs #whitesox #chicagowhitesox #walkoff #PCA\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"cff-expand\">... <button type=\"button\" class=\"cff-readmore\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"color: #\"><span class=\"cff-more\">See More<\/span><span class=\"cff-less\">See Less<\/span><\/button><\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cff-shared-link \" >\n\t<div class=\"cff-text-link cff-no-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p 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<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<div class=\"cff-author-img \" data-avatar=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/1179788338543450\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/scontent-det1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t39.30808-1\/707012956_10245048772140793_798109271517545808_n.jpg?stp=c314.0.752.752a_cp0_dst-jpg_s50x50_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=f907e8&_nc_ohc=5Kj3FRAgV3MQ7kNvwF258-g&_nc_oc=Adrtxl9Xu1TVWy8JSPW00jVUxHcw0z-ibqycjxdpFZBXdrMck8mOKixU4E_-FY6lOVMe76r65ZNcf6W4xegThKYW&_nc_zt=24&_nc_ht=scontent-det1-1.xx&edm=AKIiGfEEAAAA&_nc_gid=yZM2CmChS0vCPmYN_2M3SA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKod8ToHbeJEysh9LMyZMbCp7xThz8Y9NUKpciw-UBgSfAwImM443HszcVhTATi4JQY067NSpWsgw&oh=00_AQJqDT_lPlpX1N2b5pZMIpsxS9WpUnsS7p1IQXm6EyPOPA&oe=6AB2F53B\" title=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" alt=\"Chicago Sports Guru\" width=40 height=40><\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"cff-post-text\" >\n\t<span class=\"cff-text\" data-color=\"\">\n\t\t# Crosstown Chaos: Sox Come to the Friendly Confines With Both Sides Chasing October<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>There's a version of this rivalry that's just civic theater \u2014 bragging rights, a trophy nobody outside city limits cares about, a chance for CTA riders to talk trash on the Red Line. This isn't that year. Both of these teams are legitimately building playoff resumes, and that alone makes this the highest-stakes Cubs-Sox matchup since the two clubs met in the 1906 World Series \u2014 the only time these franchises have ever collided in October. That Cubs team went a ridiculous 116-36, capping it with a 48-6 tear to close the season, a modern win total nobody matched until the 2001 Mariners. Didn't matter. The White Sox, riding an 18-game surge and a team ERA around 2.13, stole it in six games anyway. That's the wound this rivalry was built on, and 120 years later it still hasn't fully closed.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**So how'd we get here?** The Sox are the story of the American League \u2014 65-58 and sitting in **first place** in the AL Central, up 5\u00bd games on Detroit, a stunning turnaround after a 102-loss teardown of a season in 2025. Nobody outside 35th Street saw that coming, and they're rolling into Wrigley off a sweep of the Tigers. Meanwhile the Cubs, at 72-53, were flying \u2014 nine wins in twelve, closing to within three of the Brewers \u2014 before the Cardinals did what Cardinals do this weekend at Wrigley, taking two of three. Sunday was the low point: an 11-4 loss, right-hander Edward Cabrera getting rocked for seven runs in 3\u2154 innings in his return from a hamstring strain, and worse, Dansby Swanson leaving with a left oblique injury on a third-inning swing. He's headed to the 10-day IL with an MRI pending. That Cubs cushion over Milwaukee is back out to five games with under 40 to play \u2014 the kind of number that keeps a fanbase up at night. We know that feeling. We've built entire personalities around that feeling.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The Swanson hole.** This isn't a bench guy missing time \u2014 Swanson has started 119 of the Cubs' 125 games this year and has played in at least 147 in each of his three full seasons on the North Side. Nico Hoerner slides over to shortstop to cover, with rookie Pedro Ramirez expected to soak up most of the reps at second. Counsell's right that "there's no replacing Dansby," but this is exactly the kind of stretch where organizational depth either shows up or it doesn't.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The rematch.** Back in May at Rate Field, the Sox took two of three off the Cubs, capped by a 9-8 win in the finale \u2014 an early signal that this South Side team wasn't the pushover everyone had penciled in. Chicago owes them one, and with both AL and NL Central races tightening, this set carries real playoff-race weight on top of the usual pride.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**The matchups:**<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>- **Mon, Aug 17 \u2013 8:05 PM ET:** Shota Imanaga (8-9, 3.74 ERA, 130 K) vs. Luis Castillo (4-9, 4.96 ERA, 101 K). Imanaga's been the steadiest arm in this rotation all year, and with the bullpen and defense adjusting to life without Swanson, this is exactly the kind of start where his command matters most.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>- **Tue, Aug 18 \u2013 8:05 PM ET:** Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.53 ERA, 138 K) vs. TBD. Gausman, one of the two big rotation pickups the Cubs landed ahead of the August 3 trade deadline (along with Clay Holmes, from Toronto and the Mets respectively), against a Sox lineup that's been punishing mistakes all summer. National TV window on TBS.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>- **Wed, Aug 19 \u2013 2:20 PM ET, getaway day:** Clay Holmes (5-5, 2.56 ERA, 49 K) vs. TBD. Holmes has been the best of the three ERA-wise since arriving, and closing a series like this on a good note matters heading into the stretch run.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**What I'm watching for:** Whether the deadline pitching additions \u2014 Gausman and Holmes specifically \u2014 look like the difference-makers Jed Hoyer bet on when he moved prospects to get them. And whether Hoerner and Ramirez can keep the infield defense from bleeding runs while Swanson's out, because that defense has been a real strength all season.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/>**My take:** Cubs take two of three. Imanaga sets the tone Monday, the new arms prove their worth Tuesday and Wednesday, and Wrigley reminds everybody why the North Side owns this city even when the standings say the Sox have earned some respect this year. Go Cubs.<img class=\"cff-linebreak\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/115788078608424\">#GoCubsGo<\/a> #ChicagoCubs <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/167974620020317\">#chicagowhitesox<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/488764087838644\">#whitesox<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/501791236533691\">#wrigleyfield<\/a>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<span class=\"cff-expand\">... <button type=\"button\" class=\"cff-readmore\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"color: #\"><span class=\"cff-more\">See More<\/span><span class=\"cff-less\">See Less<\/span><\/button><\/span>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"cff-shared-link \" >\n\t<div class=\"cff-text-link cff-no-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cff-link-title\" >\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/media4.giphy.com\/media\/v1.Y2lkPTEyMGMwMTQ3Z2x4bmJraHJpZWpweWJyNjA2cTU3Z2Mwenk0b2Rsd21kaG9hNHdlNCZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n\/26hirEPeos6yugLDO\/giphy.gif\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" 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olmes%2C%20from%20Toronto%20and%20the%20Mets%20respectively%29%2C%20against%20a%20Sox%20lineup%20that%26%23039%3Bs%20been%20punishing%20mistakes%20all%20summer.%20National%20TV%20window%20on%20TBS.-%20%2A%2AWed%2C%20Aug%2019%20%E2%80%93%202%3A20%20PM%20ET%2C%20getaway%20day%3A%2A%2A%20Clay%20Holmes%20%285-5%2C%202.56%20ERA%2C%2049%20K%29%20vs.%20TBD.%20Holmes%20has%20been%20the%20best%20of%20the%20three%20ERA-wise%20since%20arriving%2C%20and%20closing%20a%20series%20like%20this%20on%20a%20good%20note%20matters%20heading%20into%20the%20stretch%20run.%2A%2AWhat%20I%26%23039%3Bm%20watching%20for%3A%2A%2A%20Whether%20the%20deadline%20pitching%20additions%20%E2%80%94%20Gausman%20and%20Holmes%20specifically%20%E2%80%94%20look%20like%20the%20difference-makers%20Jed%20Hoyer%20bet%20on%20when%20he%20moved%20prospects%20to%20get%20them.%20And%20whether%20Hoerner%20and%20Ramirez%20can%20keep%20the%20infield%20defense%20from%20bleeding%20runs%20while%20Swanson%26%23039%3Bs%20out%2C%20because%20that%20defense%20has%20been%20a%20real%20strength%20all%20season.%2A%2AMy%20take%3A%2A%2A%20Cubs%20take%20two%20of%20three.%20Imanaga%20sets%20the%20tone%20Monday%2C%20the%20new%20arms%20prove%20their%20worth%20Tuesday%20and%20Wednesday%2C%20and%20Wrigley%20reminds%20everybody%20why%20the%20North%20Side%20owns%20this%20city%20even%20when%20the%20standings%20say%20the%20Sox%20have%20earned%20some%20respect%20this%20year.%20Go%20Cubs.%23GoCubsGo%20%23ChicagoCubs%20%23chicagowhitesox%20%23whitesox%20%23wrigleyfield%09%09%09%09\" 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class=\"ctf-quoted-author-screenname\">@barstoolsports<\/span>\n\t<p class=\"ctf-quoted-tweet-text\">MVP Play from PCA.<br \/>\n<br \/>\nThe Cubs just keep winning <\/p>\n<\/a>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"ctf-tweet-actions\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?in_reply_to=2085483350404337674&related=chisportsguru\" class=\"ctf-reply\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n\t\t\t<svg class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-w-16\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><g><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M14.046 2.242l-4.148-.01h-.002c-4.374 0-7.8 3.427-7.8 7.802 0 4.098 3.186 7.206 7.465 7.37v3.828c0 .108.044.286.12.403.142.225.384.347.632.347.138 0 .277-.038.402-.118.264-.168 6.473-4.14 8.088-5.506 1.902-1.61 3.04-3.97 3.043-6.312v-.017c-.006-4.367-3.43-7.787-7.8-7.788zm3.787 12.972c-1.134.96-4.862 3.405-6.772 4.643V16.67c0-.414-.335-.75-.75-.75h-.396c-3.66 0-6.318-2.476-6.318-5.886 0-3.534 2.768-6.302 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