September 2, 2017

ESPNChicago.com, Dillon Maples' towering season leads him to Wrigley Field http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/45564/dillon-maples-towering-season-leads-him-to-wrigley-field

CSNChicago.com, As Cubs set sights on playoffs, count out John Lackey at your own risk http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cubs-set-sights-playoffs-count-out-john-lackey-your-own-risk-postseason-rotation-world-series

CSNChicago.com, After nearly quitting baseball, Dillon Maples is now the feel-good story of September http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/after-nearly-quitting-baseball-dillon-maples-now-feel-good-story-september

CSNChicago.com, Cubs didn't consider themselves serious players for Justin Verlander http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/mlb-trade-waiver-tigers-cubs-didnt-consider-themselves-serious-players-justin-verlander-lester-hendricks-hoyer-arrieta-quintana

Chicago Tribune, Red-hot Cubs looking for another September to remember http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-sullivan-cubs-shining-down-stretch-spt-0903-20170902-column.html#nt=oft03a-1la1

Chicago Tribune, John Lackey, Javier Baez lead Cubs past Braves for fifth straight win http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-braves-spt-0902-20170901-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs prospect Dillon Maples finally gets call he’s been waiting for http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-prospect-dillon-maples-20170901-story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp2

Chicago Tribune, Cardinals dealing Mike Leake before stretch run leaves everyone puzzled http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-sullivan-big-hit-baseball-spt-0903-20170902-column.html

Chicago Tribune, Archaic September call-up rule leads to crowded bullpens and longer games http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-sullivan-around-baseball-spt-0903-20170902-story.html

Chicago Tribune, How close were Cubs to landing Justin Verlander? http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-justin-verlander-20170901-story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp3

Chicago Sun-Times, Will John Lackey — dominant on Friday — be the odd man out in October? http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/will-john-lackey-dominant-on-friday-be-the-odd-man-out-in-october/

Chicago Sun-Times, Dillon Maples gets his shot to inject 100 mph power into Cubs bullpen http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/dillon-maples-gets-his-shot-to-inject-100-mph-power-into-cubs-bullpen/

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs score another ‘W’ in court battle with Right Field Rooftops http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/court-rejects-rooftop-owners-appeal-against-cubs-chicago-wrigley-field/

Daily Herald, Who needs Verlander? Lackey comes through for Cubs again http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170901/who-needs-verlander-lackey-comes-through-for-cubs-again

Daily Herald, After long journey, Cubs rookie Maples gets his reward http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170901/after-long-journey-cubs-rookie-maples-gets-his-reward

Cubs.com, Lester to return from DL to face Sims, Braves http://atmlb.com/2esJt5d

Cubs.com, Lackey, Cubs blank Braves for 5th straight win http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251842696/lackey-cubs-blank-braves-for-5th-straight-win/

Cubs.com, Baez wows with 2nd-to-home dash on dribbler http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251854266/cubs-javier-baez-scores-from-2nd-on-dribbler/

Cubs.com, Maples relishing inaugural callup after long road http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251817188/cubs-prospect-dillon-maples-gets-first-callup/

Cubs.com, Hoyer reflects on Verlander talks, Martin deal http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251817338/cubs-gm-jed-hoyer-reflects-on-justin-verlander/

-- ESPNChicago.com Dillon Maples' towering season leads him to Wrigley Field By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- The epiphany came this past offseason, not long after Chicago Cubs farmhand Dillon Maples called his dad and contemplated quitting baseball. The big-armed prospect had almost had enough -- enough of the self-doubt and enough of a career 5.34 ERA in the minor leagues. The 2011 14th-round pick was just about done with baseball -- until he wasn't. "This offseason I had this moment of clarity," the right-hander explained at Wrigley Field on Friday, his first day in the big leagues. "I knew this could be my last spring training with the Cubs. I could get released, and I decided right there and then, I was going to get out of my own way." Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer couldn't recall many players making the climb from Class A to the majors in the same season, but not many have produced as Maples has at three different minor league levels this year. It began with that moment in the winter that turned the North Carolina native's mind -- and possibly his career -- around. "One of my buddies went to Coastal Carolina, so he and I went down there to get ready for the spring, and I remember being anxious to throw a live batting practice in January against these college guys, and some pros, and I remember thinking, 'This is dumb,'" Maples said. "Why get worked up about this? "When I play basketball I just play, talking trash, just having fun. I was competing in every other facet of my life except on the mound. I decided I can't do that. I have to bring this attitude to the mound. Once I did that, I started getting results." Those results have been eye-popping. In 63⅓ total innings between Class A, Double-A and Triple-A, Maples struck out exactly 100 batters before being called up to the big leagues. He had a decent curve but added a devastating slider. One scout said it's as good as any he's seen, anywhere. "I wasn't going to bring it to spring training, but those last two weeks before camp it started working," Maples explained.

But more than the slider, more than any physical adjustments, the 25-year-old said he changed his mentality. Unprepared and anxious turned into prepared and confident. "Every day is the same," Maples said. "It has to be the same. You know it's worked in the past. It's an easy way to turn to. Instead of calling all these people and stuff, which isn't bad, you have to have a fallback on something. It's your routine." Maples isn't the first player to extol the virtues of a daily routine, just the latest. But most of the time, it takes a few seasons for a player to lock into a mindset where he can advance to the highest level of the game. Maples' rise has come in less than a calendar year -- since January, really. "It's a pretty crazy 180," Maples said. "But the way this year has progressed, I kind of expected to be here. I shouldn't say I expected to be here, but I was ready." The Cubs are ready to see what he can bring them in a pennant race. He is the only pitcher the Cubs called up from the minors when rosters expanded Friday, and you can bet manager Joe Maddon will test out his new bullpen toy when the opportunity is right. "I want him to understand not to change anything," Maddon said before the Cubs' victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday. "You've gotten here and done a lot of good stuff to get here, don't think you have to do anything differently by being here. "I'm looking forward to seeing it all." Even in a pennant race, the Cubs say it's OK to take a moment and enjoy a good story. Hoyer isn't a fan of expanded September rosters, but sometimes a tale such as Maples' is too good to pass up. "It's a really fun moment for us to see a guy like that, that was a really high-profile guy, went through ups and big downs, and for him to be here today," Hoyer said. "Those are the special moments you try to enjoy." If the Cubs' front office is enjoying it, how do you think Maples feels? It wasn't long ago that he was riding the buses in the lowest level of the minor leagues and staying at, well, buggy hotels. "We were in Clinton, Iowa," Maples recalls. "We had to switch hotels because of bug infestation. It was not livable. "This time last year I was on a bus in the Midwestern League contemplating my future." And now he's in the big leagues, where he's been told "they don't ever need to switch hotels." "I know," Maples responds with a smile. "I'm looking forward to it." -- CSNChicago.com As Cubs set sights on playoffs, count out John Lackey at your own risk By Tony Andracki There's a chill in the air around Chicago, the leaves are starting to change color and fans are beginning to discuss the world of "magic numbers." The Cubs rattled off their fifth straight win Friday, leaning on John Lackey's big performance to take them one step closer to a postseason berth for the third straight year. Lackey has seemingly been counted out several times this year as a 38-year-old pitcher in the twilight of his career.

But the Cubs are now 9-1 in his last 10 starts after he threw seven shutout innings in a 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves in front of 37,280 fans at Wrigley Field. It was Lackey's second start of at least seven shutout innings this season. The rest of the Cubs starters have combined for three such outings. "He was really good," Joe Maddon said. "He was making pitches, his velocity stayed up the whole time. Wasn't really threatened. When he struck out Freddie [Freeman in the first inning], that really told me a lot because you normally don't see him look [silly] on any pitch, so I thought, 'something's goin' on here.'" Maddon admitted Lackey could've gone out for the eighth inning given the tall right-hander needed only 83 pitches to get through seven, but his spot in the batting order came up with a runner on second base in a tight ballgame in the bottom of the seventh and the Cubs manager opted for a pinch-hitter. Lackey is a flyball pitcher who has given up the second-most homers in baseball this season (32), but his style was perfectly suited for the environment Friday with the wind blowing straight in off the lake at 17 mph. Lackey and veteran catcher Alex Avila played to the conditions, knowing they can pump the zone with strikes with less fear of a ball soaring into the bleachers. "If the wind's blowing in here, you use it," Lackey said. Last October, Lackey was on a short leash, making only one start in each series as the Cubs marched their way to a championship. This year, if the Cubs are able to make the playoffs again, how will they line up their rotation? Where would Lackey and his 140 career postseason innings fit in? Jake Arrieta is looking like his Cy Young self again, Kyle Hendricks is healthy and finding his groove, Jon Lester returns from the disabled list Saturday and Jose Quintana is a frontline starter even if he hasn't completely pitched like one in a Cubs uniform. Even swingman Mike Montgomery has proven he is a very capable starting pitcher. But as Maddon said before Friday's game, baseball has a cruel way of answering questions of surplus on a roster. It's easy for fans and writers to start ruminating about the postseason rotation, but it's too soon for the Cubs coaching staff or front office to worry about it. It's most certainly too soon for a 38-year-old starting pitcher that may have just begun the final regular season month of his career: "I just work here." -- CSNChicago.com After nearly quitting baseball, Dillon Maples is now the feel-good story of September By Tony Andracki A year ago, things were awfully bleak for Dillon Maples. The right-handed pitcher was putting the finishing touches on a 2016 campaign that saw him post a 4.22 ERA, including a 7.71 mark in nine games at Advanced Class-A ball, the highest level he had advanced to in the Cubs system. It had been more than five years since the Cubs selected him in the 14th round of the MLB Draft out of Pinecrest High School in North Carolina and he was still unable to even reach Double-A, let alone the majors.

That's why he was thinking about quitting, wanting to hang up his spikes and be done with baseball. But he stuck with it and Friday, the 25-year-old became the ultimate feel-good story in baseball with rosters expanding for September call-ups. Maples was one of the Cubs' choices for reinforcements, joining Justin Grimm, Victor Caratini and infielder Mike Freeman as the extra four guys on the roster. Maples has now gone from the lower levels of the minor leagues to the majors in the span of just a few months. "It's been a crazy year, but I'm ready for this. ... It's a pretty crazy 180, but the way this year's progressed, I kinda expected to be here," Maples said before walking it back a bit. "I wouldn't say I expected to be here, but I was ready to be here if I was called on." Maples has earned it; this isn't some charity call-up. He found his command and his confidence in 2017, sporting a 2.27 ERA while striking out 100 batters in 63.1 innings. He also attributes a lot of his success to working with Cubs mental skills coach Darnell McDonald and learning how to prepare mentally and physically for each day at the ballpark. "First of all, the person always deserves the most credit," Cubs GM Jed Hoyer said. "But I do think our player development staff really hanging in there with him [made a big difference]. He had his ups and downs, but his confidence was great this year and he really started trusting his breaking ball. He has a special ability to spin the ball — both curveball and slider — and just really trusting those pitches I think is the biggest difference. "It's a really fun moment for us to see a guy like that — a high-profile guy that went through ups and downs and may have even hung 'em up. For him to be here today, those are the special moments you try to enjoy. "I mean, we are competing every day, but you try to take a step back and realize that for someone like him to realize that dream after that much hard work, it's a great thing about our game. I don't like the September call-up stuff, but this is one aspect that I do think is really nice when a guy can make his debut and get his parents here and kinda realize a dream." Maples' parents won't actually be in attendance this weekend at Wrigley Field, as they're out visiting his younger brother at the Air Force Academy. But they were able to revel in the joy of Maples' first trip to "The Show." "[When I got the call,] I remember going up to the hotel room, calling my dad," Maples said. "That's the guy I called last year when I wanted to hang it up. I had lost passion, lost drive. "I just remember calling him last year, so it was only appropriate that he'd be the first one I'd call. My mom was in the car, so she found out right away. Heard her scream. It's definitely been a crazy ride for all of us." Joe Maddon met with the young right-hander before Friday's game and said he plans to bring Maples along slowly in low-leverage situations. But he also wanted Maples to understand he's actually ahead of the curve for some relievers, who typically don't make it to the big leagues until age 26 or 27. "I wanted him to understand not to change anything," Maddon said. "You've gotten here, you've done a lot of good stuff to get here, don't think you have to do anything differently by being here. "That's always the danger. Sometimes, guys want to do something different to get out major-league hitters. I don't want him to feel that way. Give him his opportunities when they present themselves." --

CSNChicago.com Cubs didn't consider themselves serious players for Justin Verlander By Tony Andracki Regardless of where Justin Verlander ultimately hoped he'd end up, the Cubs didn't consider themselves to be serious players in the veteran pitcher's market this August. The waiver deadline passed Thursday with the Cubs only making one move - acquiring outfielder Leonys Martin as a pinch-runner/defensive replacement type of guy. Verlander, meanwhile, went to the Houston Astros, with the Detroit Tigers receiving three prospects in return. The Cubs have been one of the teams linked to Verlander in rumors for months and while they did check in on him even after the nonwaiver trade deadline passed on the first day of August, GM Jed Hoyer said they never even got to the point where they discussed untouchable prospects with the Tigers. "Houston was pretty aggressive early on," Hoyer said Friday morning at Wrigley Field. "They didn't make a big starting pitching deal at the deadline, so I think they were aggressive with their offer right away. "Detroit kinda liked that offer all along. I think they were pretty focused on Houston all along. Because of that, because they had a deal they liked that they sat on for a bunch of weeks, we never got deep into it. In the end, I think it worked out for Detroit and for Houston. But I think that was gonna be the result for almost the entire month." At best, Hoyer described the Cubs' interest as a fallback option. "Early on, they had a deal on the table that was really appealing to them that their process was run with that in mind," Hoyer said. The 34-year-old veteran has rebounded after a rough start to the season and is now 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 176 strikeouts in 172 innings. He finished second in AL Cy Young voting last year with a 16-9 record, 3.04 ERA and league-leading 1.00 WHIP. Verlander also has two full years and around $60 million left on his current contract with a vesting option for his age-37 season in 2020. The Cubs are in a totally different position now than they were a month ago when the Verlander rumors were hot and heavy. The starting rotation has keyed the second-half surge with Kyle Hendricks regaining health and production while Jake Arrieta once again looks like his Cy Young self. John Lackey has also been better since the All-Star Break, tossing seven shutouts in Friday's 2-0 win over the Braves. Even the Jon Lester injury proved to be minor as the Cubs ace makes his return Saturday against the Atlanta Braves. Assuming Lester's start goes off without a hitch, the Cubs are at the point where they're seriously considering keeping Mike Montgomery as a starter (he'll get the ball Sunday) and rolling with a six-man rotation. And with the Jose Quintana deal coupled with the prior trade with the Tigers for Justin Wilson and Alex Avila, the Cubs don't have much in the way of enticing prospects left to deal, even if the Verlander talks with Detroit never advanced to that stage. So Verlander wound up with the team with the best record in the American League over the defending World Champs, even if the Cubs were his first choice. --

Chicago Tribune Red-hot Cubs looking for another September to remember By Paul Sullivan The Cubs went into September with a vote of confidence from upper management that spoke volumes, even though no words were spoken. What the Cubs didn't do resonated. They didn't go out and get another big-name starter like Justin Verlander, or try to get another shortstop to take some pressure off Javier Baez. Their only waiver-deadline acquisition was reserve outfielder Leonys Martin, who basically is a spare part on a luxury automobile. The message was clear: This is the core that got us to the promised land last year, and this is the group we believe can bring us back. "If they were going to add something to better the team, they would have," Anthony Rizzo said. "But I think this team is Ford tough." September has been a time for the Cubs to shine the last two seasons. They have gone a combined 41-20 from Sept. 1 to the end of the regular season, sliding into the postseason with a running start. It may seem like it's just for show, but the annual American Legion Week rules, which dictate players just show up a couple of hours before the game, and optional batting practice have had a positive effect on the Cubs' mental preparation. "I think all that matters," Maddon said. "It's all rooted back to my time with the Angels, when we were always bad in September, and I thought the workload in September was way too heavy, like hitting on Sunday mornings, hitting for an hour at a time, with extra work constantly." In 1995, when Maddon was first-base coach with the then-California Angels, they blew an 11-game division lead, losing 29 of their last 43 games. In '96, when he came over to the White Sox from the Angels, Tony Phillips said the reason for the collapse was simple: "We just choked. Our butts were so tight you couldn't put a toothpick in 'em." The combination of pressure and fatigue are difficult to overcome at this time of the year, but the lessons Maddon learned from those Angels played a big role in his effort to try to find ways to keep the Cubs relaxed and rested. Rizzo said the Cubs welcome the pennant-race pressure and catch a second wind in September. "The grind of the season now is behind you, and it's kind of that last push and (individual) numbers don't really matter," Rizzo said. "The only thing that matters is really getting that win, and everything comes together even more when that's going on." Maddon said hard work obviously is important, but added: "You have to work smart sometimes, too. And that's it. I don't think it's any more complicated than that." The Cubs led the majors with 191 runs in August and tied the Indians for best run differential (plus 58). The hitters who slumped together in the first half finally broke out together in the second. They began September ranked third in the NL in runs, and they tallied 15 or more runs four times in August, the first time they have accomplished that in a month since June 1930. "It's great to score 15 runs, but we know in the most important games that's not going to happen," general manager Jed Hoyer said. "Games at the end of September and against teams you're in competition with and then obviously if you play in October, those are one-run games. "You have to be comfortable playing tie games, one-run games, because that's what happens once it gets colder out and the pitching gets more consistent."

Hoyer and President Theo Epstein are talking with Maddon and pitching coach Chris Bosio about how to handle the rotation in September. Left-hander Mike Montgomery's success as Jon Lester's fill-in added another dimension to the debate. Most starters, including Lester, John Lackey and Jake Arrieta, prefer a between-starts routine that can go by the wayside with a six-man rotation. On the other hand, an added day of rest could help the starters down the stretch. Montgomery will start Sunday against the Braves, and perhaps get some spot starts down the stretch, based on matchups. "He certainly earned being a member of the starting rotation," Hoyer said. "There's no question. We have to make some decisions based on our schedule and based on rest. "Right now we're playing a stretch of 20 in a row, and so I think giving guys an extra day makes a lot of sense. How we proceed going forward I'm not sure." Whatever happens down the stretch, the Cubs likely will head into the postseason as underdogs to the Nationals in the Division Series, and to the Dodgers if they both get to the Championship Series. The Nats and Dodgers have been the two most dominant teams in the National League all year, while the Cubs have been one of the best in the second half. "Whoever we play is not going to want to play us," Rizzo said. "That's the sense I get coming off last year and the year before, talent-wise. We have the resume to compete with anyone. "Underdog? Hmm. Would we be favored? No, but I don't know if we'd be true underdogs." -- Chicago Tribune John Lackey, Javier Baez lead Cubs past Braves for fifth straight win By Paul Skrbina Kyle Schwarber thought the reaction to his 30-foot single in the third inning Friday was a bit exaggerated. Then he turned around and saw Javier Baez emerge from a cloud of dust at home plate. The shortstop scored the Cubs' first run from second base on Schwarber's swinging bunt, which was the team's first hit during its 2-0 victory against the Braves in front of 37,280 on a crisp afternoon at Wrigley Field. "I didn't know he was going; I just hit the bag, and I thought I was safe," Schwarber said of the call, which stood up to replay scrutiny. "Then I hear everyone going crazy. I'm like, 'What just happened?' I looked back, Javy scored. "You can't talk about how much baseball instinct that is." The Cubs, who won their fifth in a row and moved to a season-high 14 games over .500 , also couldn't stop talking about some other things — namely Schwarber's defensive prowess and starter John Lackey's mound masterpiece. Schwarber's "acrobatic" catch of Nick Markakis' sinking fly ball counted as the first out of the second inning. The left fielder was all grass stains and smiles after his "diving" effort. Even Lackey cracked a smile and teasingly labeled it a "bull-in-the-China-shop" catch. "I would describe it as a tumble and a somersault and didn't stick the landing," Schwarber said with a grin.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon joked that Schwarber "got a 10 from the Latvian judge on that." Lackey's performance — seven innings, no runs, three hits, no walks and five strikeouts — also played to rave reviews after the team's eighth straight home victory, which matched a season high. Ender Inciarte hit Lackey's second pitch of the day for a soft single to left that fell in front of Schwarber. The next pitch, to Ozzie Albies, was too wild for Alex Avila to grasp, allowing Inciarte to stroll into second. Albies then fouled one by the slimmest of margins off the wall in left before the 20-year-old struck out. Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp suffered the same fate, spelling the end of the inning and the beginning of Lackey's dominance. After allowing consecutive two-out singles to Rio Ruiz and Dansby Swanson in the second, the soon-to-be 39-year-old Lackey retired 16 straight. The seven innings tied a season high for Lackey, who is 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA in his last five home starts. And while each start increases in importance as the Cubs fight to hold on to the top spot in the National League Central, Lackey is keeping his eyes away from the looking glass. "You definitely feel that what you've been working for is around the corner, but ... we're not there yet," he said. When asked to look even further ahead, about his potential postseason role should the Cubs make it, Lackey cracked wise. "I just work here," he said. And he made the most of his shift Friday. Lackey threw an economical 83 pitches with the wind blowing in at 17 mph to help render the Cubs' second run, courtesy of Anthony Rizzo's double and Ian Happ's RBI single in the fourth, unnecessary. Baez's run, though, was put on hold for 55 seconds while replay officials in New York reviewed the call at first base. Schwarber's foot reached the base just as the ball, fielded by pitcher Mike Foltynewicz from his knees, met the glove of first baseman Freeman. "He thought that the moment the ball was hit," Maddon said of Baez. "You can't decide halfway there, 'I'm gonna do that.' That was very large for us." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs prospect Dillon Maples finally gets call he’s been waiting for By Paul Skrbina Good things happened when Dillon Maples phoned first. So it only made sense that he called his father again after he received a call of his own informing him he had been called up by the Cubs on Friday. The 25-year-old right-handed reliever, who began this season in Single-A, informed his father after a game last season that he was done playing ball, frustrated with subpar performances and lacking passion he once had. But his dad, who was working on the family’s lawn when he heard his son’s pleas that day, convinced Maples to stick with it.

The plan finally paid off when Maples, who was picked by the Cubs in the 14th round of the 2011 draft, was in uniform at Wrigley Field. “He was the guy I called last year when I wanted to hang it up,” said Maples, who struck out 100 in 63 1/3 innings at three minor-league stops this season. “I had lost passion, lost drive. “It was only appropriate he would be the first one I call.” Maples said his mother was in the car during the call. “I heard her scream,” he said. “It’s definitely been a crazy ride.” But neither could make it to Chicago this weekend because they are visiting Maples’ younger brother, who is in the Air Force Academy. “It’s going to be a big relief for him for them to spend time with him off base,” Maples said. “I know they’ll come see me as soon as possible.” Cubs general manger Jed Hoyer said he is not a fan of the expanded September roster setup in general, but is glad it exists in this case. “It’s a really fun moment for us to see a guy like that … went through ups and big downs, where he might even hang it up,” Hoyer said. “For him to be here today, those are the special moments you try to enjoy. You try to take a step back and realize for someone like him to realize this dream after all that hard work.” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said he’s heard great reports about Maples and his happy to have him for some depth in the bullpen. More moves: The Cubs activated right-handed reliever Justin Grimm from the disabled list and recalled catcher Victor Caratini from Triple-A Iowa before Friday’s game. After selecting the contracts of infielder Mike Freeman and Maples from Iowa, the team designated for assignment right-handed pitcher Seth Frankoff and Jose Rosario. Coming soon: New Cubs outfielder Leonys Martin, acquired from the Mariners on Thursday night for a player to be named later or cash, is expected to join the team Saturday. The speedy outfielder batted .174 with three home runs in 115 at-bats with Seattle this year and .307 for at Triple-A. -- Chicago Tribune Cardinals dealing Mike Leake before stretch run leaves everyone puzzled By Paul Sullivan Before a game against the Brewers last Tuesday in Milwaukee, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny denied the Cardinals felt a renewed sense of urgency as the third-place team in a three-way National League Central race. "Same urgency," Matheny said. "We've been fortunate around here where we've had Septembers, and we still are, right in the middle of everything. Just to have the excitement of the push down to the wire, and playing games that matter all the way through.

"It's fun. I keep explaining to a lot of these young players who never have been here before just how different it is once you get to October baseball, if you're fortunate enough to be in the mix right now to have a chance to do that is special. You don't take any of these years for granted." The next day, the Cardinals traded starter Mike Leake to the Mariners in what was perceived as a salary dump, suggesting the real urgency was payroll relief for 2018 and beyond. Was general manager John Mozeliak taking 2017 for granted in dumping a highly-paid starter? From a business standpoint, dealing Leake was probably the right move. He was owed around $50 million from now until the end of his contract in 2020, and he hadn't lived up to expectations with a 4.21 ERA in 26 starts for the Cardinals. But in the Cardinals clubhouse, the reaction was one of disbelief. "I said, 'Is this a joke?'" Tommy Pham told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "April Fool's was months ago. It was shocking to all of us. Leake's a true pro. There are not too many guys who show up every day and just do their job. He's the last of a dying breed." While other teams were looking to improve their chances to get into the postseason or go farther, the Cardinals' move was quite the opposite. "If you look at everything that has happened so far, there have been no acquisitions," starter Lance Lynn said to the Post-Dispatch. "There has been taking away — whether that has been injuries or trades. Whoever's coming up to make that start (prospect Jack Flaherty), we're going to need something good from them — testing our depth from within." It isn't like the Cardinals to "White Flag" it, a term stemming from the 1997 White Sox decision to unload veterans at the trade deadline despite being just 3 1/2 games behind the division-leading Indians. The Cardinals were only five games behind the first-place Cubs when they dumped Leake, and still have seven games remaining against their arch rivals. Leake was 9-7 against the Cubs over his career with a 3.63 ERA. Whether he would have been a factor in the NL Central race never will be known. "Each organization is going to do what they feel is best," Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. "If they think trading Leake is best for them, it's best for them. I have no idea." Cubs manager Joe Maddon admitted the deal "surprised" him, though he wasn't sure about the reasons. "I don't know what their issues are or what their situation is," he said. "He's really tough on us, I know that. So just purely from that selfish perspective, I liked him not being there. Because that's all I look at it as: What does it mean to us specifically when we play them? "That's up to the Cardinals to decide their big picture. But I know on the micro basis, more recently, this guy knows what he's doing out there. He's a great athlete. He's another guy, I think, that is an acquired taste. The more you watch him pitch, the more you like him. "Honestly, all I'm looking at with that is that here's a guy who has pitched well against us. He's going to the American League. I'm happy with that." The Cardinals are second in average attendance at 42,589 per game, so saving money wouldn't seem a huge concern. It appears they simply decided to cut their losses with Leake, basically declaring the signing a bust.

When I asked Matheny before the trade if he expected the Cubs, Cardinals and Brewers to be in a tight race to the finish, he replied: "I don't get too caught up with the other teams. I expect us to play better, and to be right there." Maybe the Leake trade will make the Cardinals stronger for their stretch run. Fifth starters aren't that hard to replace. But if Leake performs well in Seattle and the Cardinals fold down the stretch, it may be another long, cold winter for Mozeliak. -- Chicago Tribune Archaic September call-up rule leads to crowded bullpens and longer games By Paul Sullivan The Cubs added two more relievers to their bullpen Friday, giving them 10 and making you wonder if they have enough room in the enclosed pen for everyone to dance after home runs. The archaic rule allowing rosters to expand in September usually leads to every team adding bullpen depth whether they need it or not, meaning more pitching chances, longer games and more empty stadiums in the ninth inning. Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer spoke this week of "the balance between interrupting everyone's routine by having too many guys down (in the pen) and making sure we have enough pitching to make sure guys don't get tired." It's a delicate balance, but the Cubs, like everyone else, tend to opt for "too many" over "interrupting routines" because you can never have enough pitching. Baseball is the one sport that plays by one set of rules (25-man rosters) for five months and another for September (up to 40-man rosters) before returning to the original rules for the postseason. General managers say that it's debated during their annual meetings every year, but nothing changes. Teams like having extra players just in case, even if it's someone whose only job is to come off the bench from time to time. The Cubs acquired outfielder Leonys Martin from the Mariners on Thursday even though they don't really need another outfielder. "I don't love the rules in September, but if we're going to play by these rules, having a guy who can pinch-run late in a game and steal a base or is more likely to score from second, it is really valuable," Hoyer said. "Our roster has a lot of strengths, but that's not one of them this year so he helps to fill a hole that we have. "It's going to be a really close race. We have really good teams chasing us, and you try and shore up every area of depth." Manager Joe Maddon said he's OK with having call-ups in September, but would like to have a limited number available every game, like selecting 25 or 26 players every day from a 33-man roster and having the rest inactive. "I don't know what that number should be, but to have 33 guys on your roster and 33 available is kind of difficult to manage sometimes," Maddon said. Don't look for the rule to change any time soon, even as MLB complains about games that drag on and on because of so many pitching changes. Big Fish: The Astros made the biggest splash in baseball last week with the acquisition of Tigers starter Justin Verlander for three prospects, a deal that had been discussed for more than over a month.

"Nothing forces a deal like a deadline, as we all know, and (Thursday) night at midnight Eastern was the last moment we could add someone to our organization and have them be available for the postseason," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow told the Houston Chronicle. "So, it was now or never." The Tigers paid $8 million of Verlander's $28 million salary in both 2018 and 2019 in exchange for a better set of prospects, including 19-year-old right-hander Franklin Perez and outfielder Daz Cameron, son of former White Sox center fielder Mike Cameron. The Cubs were rumored to be in on Verlander, but Hoyer said they weren't really close to a deal. "(The Tigers) were pretty much focused on Houston all along," he said. "And so because they had a deal they liked that they sat on for a bunch of weeks, we never got that deep into it. In the end, it worked out for Detroit and Houston, but I think that was going to be the result for almost the entire month." Back to earth: The Dodgers suffered their first five-game losing streak this week and lost back-to-back series to the Brewers and the Diamondbacks, who swept them in Phoenix. It was the first time they had dropped two consecutive series since late April, or lost as many as four games in a row. "You always want to win baseball games," manager Dave Roberts said after the streak hit four. "Obviously we'd rather take it now than after September." Obviously. The dream of breaking the all-time record of 116 victories (1906 Cubs and 2001 Mariners) seems to be a long shot now, and the Dodgers have to hope they didn't peak too soon. Clayton Kershaw made his return from the disabled list Friday night in San Diego, hoping to snap the skid. If the Diamondbacks manage to win the wild-card game, they will play the Dodgers in a division series. That could be more interesting than anyone imagined only a week ago. The Diamondbacks are 8-8 against the Dodgers this year, and don't seem at all intimidated by the team Sports Illustrated recently put on its cover with the headline "Best Team. Ever?" -- Chicago Tribune How close were Cubs to landing Justin Verlander? By Paul Skrbina How close were the Cubs to landing Justin Verlander before Thursday night’s waiver trade deadline? Not even, according to general manager Jed Hoyer, who said Friday he figured for a while the Astros were the front-runners to acquire the ace right-hander from the Tigers. “We never got that deep into it,” Hoyer said. “I think that was going to be the result for almost the entire month (of August). “Houston was pretty aggressive early. I think Detroit liked that offer (and) they were pretty focused on Houston all along.” The Astros shipped prospects Franklin Perez, Daz Cameron, and Jake Rogers to the Tigers in exchange for Verlander and cash, reportedly about $8 million per year for the next two seasons to help offset some of the $56 million left on his contract. Verlander waived his no-trade clause to allow the deal to happen.

Verlander, 34, is a six-time All-Star who was 183-144 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 seasons with the Tigers. He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2006 and won the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards in 2011. Verlander led the AL in strikeouts four times, including 2016, when he fanned 254 batters in 227-plus innings. In 28 starts for the Tigers this year, Verlander was 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA. -- Chicago Sun-Times Will John Lackey — dominant on Friday — be the odd man out in October? By Steve Greenberg A little over six weeks ago in Atlanta, after he shut down the Braves to start a personal stretch of five victories in five starts, John Lackey sneered at any talk that the Cubs might be better off stashing the 38-year-old right-hander (and occasional home-run magnet) in their bullpen. “That ship sailed,” he said then. “That ain’t gonna happen.” But Lackey added an important qualifier: “Except for the playoffs. In big games, we can compromise.” Jump ahead to Friday at Wrigley Field, where Lackey turned in arguably his best outing of the season. Again flummoxing the Braves — whose last 16 batters against Lackey were set down in order — he pitched seven scoreless innings in the Cubs’ 2-0 victory. Yes, Lackey has surrendered long balls at a higher rate than anyone in the National League. Indeed, his 4.74 ERA — down a quarter of a run from where it was entering the game — is rather unsightly. No, this isn’t Lackey, a three-time World Series champion, at his career best. But the Cubs are 9-1 in his last 10 starts. He’s 3-0 with a natty 2.48 ERA in his last five home starts. And he has taken his record from 4-9 to 11-10, a heck of an accomplishment for a guy many Cubs fans worried was washed up. Lackey is as important as any pitcher to the Cubs’ effort to lock down a division title. But the question will hang over him — and manager Joe Maddon — for all of September: Is he the odd man out come playoff time? Cue that Lackey sneer. “I just work here,” he said. So does Jose Quintana. Why mention him? It’s pretty simple. Assuming Jon Lester has an issue-free return from the 10-day disabled list Saturday and regains his usual form, he’ll be an obvious lock for a postseason spot in the rotation. The same certainly can be said of Jake Arrieta and the resurgent Kyle Hendricks. That leaves room for one in a four-man rotation, which surely will be the approach in the playoffs. So: Lackey or Quintana? “Baseball’s got a cruel way of taking care of its own moments and decisions like that,” Maddon said. “If everybody stays well and healthy, then you’re just going to have to make your best call at the moment. But you don’t get too far ahead of yourself right now. You just watch. “Johnny has been there and done that before. ‘Q’ would like to get [to the postseason]. But we’ll make those decisions later. We just want to get there.”

At a season-high 14 games over .500, with five consecutive victories on this homestand and a 3½-game division lead on the Brewers, the Cubs are holding all the cards as they power into the final full month of the season. But they’re going to have to discard a starting pitcher, and it might not be all that easy to do. The Cubs signed Lackey before last season for one reason above all others: his experience when all the chips are on the table. As for Quintana, acquired from the White Sox in July, his next meaningful October start will be his first. Yet Quintana is 28, a left-hander in his prime. True, the Cubs didn’t get Lackey so they could stash him in their bullpen — or leave him off the postseason roster altogether — at money time. But they sure as heck didn’t get Quintana so he could play a bit part in another World Series push. It was an easy call a year ago to make Jason Hammel — even with his 15 victories — the odd man out. Any other move would’ve been unthinkable. This time around, it’ll be a much tougher call. And, in the case of Lackey, a much bigger personality to deal with. -- Chicago Sun-Times Dillon Maples gets his shot to inject 100 mph power into Cubs bullpen By Steve Greenberg Friday morning was a busy one for the Cubs. They activated reliever Justin Grimm off the 10-day disabled list, recalled catcher Victor Caratini from Class AAA Iowa and welcomed veteran infielder Mike Freeman — at Iowa since signing with the Cubs on Aug. 7 — into the fold. Let’s see, anything else? Ah, yes — the Cubs also promoted Dillon Maples from Iowa, giving the 25-year-old flame-throwing right-hander his first shot at the big leagues. It’s a shot absolutely no one could’ve seen coming as recently as a year ago. More players will come and go — mostly the former — as the team expands its roster in September, but none will have a more compelling baseball story than Maples, who was a 14th-round draft pick by the Cubs in 2011. The story took a dark turn last summer when Maples — buried at Class A South Bend — made up his mind to bag his career. Five years as a professional, and Maples still hadn’t ascended to even Class AA. It didn’t matter that he had lightning in his arm. He wasn’t big-league material. Or so he’d decided when he called his dad, Tim, to deliver the news. “I’d lost that passion,” he said, “lost that drive.” Tim was a second-round draft pick and a five-year pro who never made it out of the minor leagues. He urged his son to keep his dream alive. Thursday night, Maples got to call his dad with some of the greatest news ever. “It’s been a crazy year,” he said, “but I’m ready for this.” Maples has had a breakthrough season, striking out 100 in 63„ innings and getting his first experience at Class AA Tennessee and Iowa. Opponents have hit a paltry .192 off Maples, whose hard slider and curveball have been wonderful complements to his sizzling 100 mph heater. The slider, especially, has been a put-away pitch. “He has a special ability to spin the ball,” Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. The message to Maples from manager Joe Maddon was simple: Don’t change a thing.

“You’ve done a lot of good stuff to get here,” Maddon told him. “Don’t think you have to do anything differently by being here.” Just being here is quite a victory in itself. A dive and a ‘drive’ Kyle Schwarber was involved in both of the standout plays in the Cubs’ 2-0 victory against the Braves. In the top of the second, the left fielder charged in on Nick Markakis’ sinking liner and made a diving grab that ended with quite a flourish. Schwarber described it as a “tumble with a somersault — and I didn’t stick the landing.” Starting pitcher John Lackey was less charitable, referring to his teammate as a “bull in a china cabinet.” In the bottom of the third, Javy Baez scored from second on Schwarber’s ringing line drive … oops, make that his swinging-bunt dribbler in front of the mound. Braves pitcher Mike Foltynewicz threw late to first baseman Freddie Freeman — impressive job of getting down the line by Schwarber — and Freeman’s throw home had no chance to nab the hustling, ever-exciting Baez. Mark your calendars The start time for the Cubs’ game Sept. 16 against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field was switched from 12:05 p.m. to 3:05, and it will air on CSN+. -- Chicago Sun-Times Cubs score another ‘W’ in court battle with Right Field Rooftops By Madeline Kenney The Cubs scored another win Friday in a nearly three-year legal battle with a nearby Wrigley rooftop business, winning a round in appellate court. It all started in 2015, when the Cubs installed a video board that blocked the lucrative view of the seats of Skybox on Sheffield and Lakeview Baseball Club, both owned by Right Field Rooftops LLC. The owner of the rooftops accused the Cubs of monopolization, defamation and breach of contract for erecting the video board. In November 2015, U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Kendall dismissed the federal lawsuit filed against the Cubs earlier that year, prompting an appeal. Lawyers for Right Field Rooftops argued that the video board breached a 2004 revenue-sharing agreement the business had cut to prevent future Cubs construction projects from blocking its views of Wrigley. But the 7th Circuit Appellate Court noted that pact included language that exempted Wrigley construction projects approved by government entities — and that the video board was approved by the city of Chicago. Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney didn’t respond to a request for comment. -- Daily Herald Who needs Verlander? Lackey comes through for Cubs again By Bruce Miles No Justin Verlander, no problem for the Cubs. General manager Jed Hoyer said the Cubs didn't get too far in talks for Verlander, who went from Detroit to Houston late Thursday in a trade.

The way the Cubs' starting rotation is going, it may not matter. Veteran warhorse John Lackey turned in another solid start Friday as he pitched 7 scoreless innings in a 2-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. The Cubs (74-60) have won five in a row, and a lot of the success has to do with starting pitching, which sports a 25-7 record and 3.22 ERA since the all-star break. What's more, the Cubs are six deep in starters now. Although Verlander would have been a nice addition, the Cubs are more than getting by. "I think they were pretty focused on Houston all along," Hoyer said of Detroit. "Because of that, because they had a deal they liked, that they sat on for a bunch of weeks, I think that we never got that deep into it." Lackey went deep, tying his season-high with 7 innings as he improved to 11-10 with a 4.74 ERA. He retired the final 16 Braves he faced. "It gives you a good chance to win," Lackey said of the depth in the rotation. "Starting pitching is probably the best way to win consistently, and we've got that lately." Lackey got help via a tumbling catch from left fielder Kyle Schwarber on a Nick Markakis liner to start the second. That catch was big because the Braves got 2 hits later that inning. Lackey called it a "bull-in-a-china-cabinet catch." "It was a tumble and a somersault," Schwarber said. "Didn't stick the landing." Schwarber and Javier Baez teamed for some excitement in the third as the Cubs scored the first run. Baez led off with a walk and was bunted to second by Lackey. After Ben Zobrist flied out, Schwarber topped a swinging bunt down the third-base line, where it was fielded by pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, who threw to first too late to get Schwarber. Baez came charging all the way home from second base to score. "I didn't know that he would go," Schwarber said. "I just hit the bag, and I thought I was safe, and I hear everyone going crazy. I'm like, 'What just happened?' Then I looked back, and Javy scored. I can't talk (enough) about how much baseball instinct that is right there." The Cubs got another run in the fourth. Anthony Rizzo doubled and came home on Ian Happ's single. But in addition to the pitching, Baez was the show again. "I love it, 100 percent," he said. "It's business, but before business, it's a game. It will be a game forever. It will be business forever, but it will be a game before anything." Baez will see to that himself. -- Daily Herald After long journey, Cubs rookie Maples gets his reward By Bruce Miles The first thing Dillon Maples did was make a phone call after getting the news he was getting promoted to the Cubs from Class AAA Iowa. "My reaction was nothing over the top off the bat," Maples said Friday. "But I remember going to the hotel room, calling my dad because he was the guy I called last year when I wanted to hang it up.

"I had lost passion. I had lost drive. I just remember calling him last year. So I knew it was only appropriate that he be the first one I call. My mom was in the car so she found out right away. I heard her scream. It's definitely been a crazy ride for all this." Maples, 25, became a September call-up after a long road that began when the Cubs took him in the 14th round of the 2011 draft. This year, he has risen from Class A ball to the major leagues. In three minor league stops this season, he was 6-3 with 13 saves and a 2.27 ERA in 52 relief outings. He struck out 100 batters in 63 ⅓ innings Where it stops: It has been a whirlwind year for infielder Mike Freeman. "This is the sixth clubhouse I've walked into," he said Friday after his contract was selected from Iowa. "It's certainly an interesting year to say the least. Wherever there's opportunity, I'm happy to go." Freeman, 30, saw time with the Mariners and Dodgers this year. The Cubs signed him to a minor league deal in August. He will be a backup to Javier Baez at shortstop while Addison Russell recovers from a foot injury. Russell has been on the disabled list since Aug. 3, and he's likely out another three weeks. Making room on the roster: The Cubs activated reliever Justin Grimm off the disabled list and recalled catcher Victor Caratini from Class AAA Iowa. They'll likely add outfielder Leonys Martin on Saturday. They obtained him in a minor trade Thursday night. To make room on the roster for Mike Freeman and Dillon Maples, the Cubs designated pitchers Seth Frankoff and Jose Rosario for assignment. -- Cubs.com Lester to return from DL to face Sims, Braves By Mark Bowman Though the Cubs did not land Justin Verlander, their rotation should be strengthened by the return of Jon Lester, who is scheduled to come off the disabled list to make Saturday afternoon's start against the Braves at Wrigley Field. Lester has been sidelined since experiencing discomfort caused by a left lat strain and left shoulder fatigue that developed as he allowed nine runs (seven earned) in just 1 2/3 innings on Aug. 17 vs. the Reds. The veteran southpaw also gave up 10 runs (four earned) to the Pirates before exiting during the first inning of his final start before the All-Star break. It didn't take Lester long to calm concerns after that, as he came out of the break and limited the Braves to one run over seven innings at SunTrust Park. He had produced a 3.26 ERA over a six-start stretch before enduring the rough outing in Cincinnati. As the Cubs attempt to maintain their lead in the National League Central, the Braves will spend the season's final months evaluating young players like Lucas Sims, who will oppose Lester. Sims had won two straight starts before allowing four runs over a career-high 6 1/3 innings in Philadelphia on Monday. The rookie right-hander limited the Phillies to three hits and one run through the first five innings. Things to know about this game

• Freddie Freeman is hitting .167/.281/.333 against left-handed pitchers since the All-Star break. The Braves' first baseman batted .382/.447/.706 against them before the break. • With shortstop Addison Russell sidelined, the Cubs added infielder Mike Freeman to their expanded roster on Friday. Freeman could get a start in one of the final two games of this series. -- Cubs.com Lackey, Cubs blank Braves for 5th straight win By Carrie Muskat and Mark Bowman CHICAGO -- John Lackey took advantage of the wind blowing in at Wrigley Field, throwing seven scoreless innings, and Javier Baez scampered home from second base on a swinging bunt to spark the Cubs to a 2-0 victory over the Braves on Friday afternoon. Chicago finished Day 1 of the final month of the regular season holding a 3 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee in the National League Central. With the win, the Cubs now are a season-high 14 games over .500. "You definitely feel that what you've been working for is around the corner, but you have to keep working, keep pushing," Lackey said. "It's not there yet." Baez sprinted home on Kyle Schwarber's dribbler up the third-base line in the third inning and Anthony Rizzo doubled and tallied on Ian Happ's single in the fourth to give Lackey all the offense he needed. The veteran right-hander retired the last 16 batters he faced and scattered three hits over seven innings, striking out five. The Cubs are 9-1 in Lackey's last 10 starts, and he's 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA in his last five starts at Wrigley Field. The right-hander picked up his 11th win, matching his 2016 season total. "If we continue to pitch this well, we can fill it in on the field," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "The starting pitching is trending in the right direction at the right time." The Braves' Mike Foltynewicz, eager to turn the calendar after going 1-4 with a 8.61 ERA in five August starts, lost his fifth straight outing, although he did post a quality start, giving up two runs over 6 1/3 innings. He's regained some consistency with his offspeed stuff, as he has allowed three runs over his past two starts (11 1/3 innings). Foltynewicz's recent struggles were influenced by his inability to keep his emotions in check after encountering adversity. But he showed some poise as he retired nine of the final 11 batters he faced after allowing three straight to reach to begin the bottom of the fourth. "I think he was back to where he was before those few outings that got away from him," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "I thought he hung in there, kept competing and kept getting back in the strike zone." Wade Davis pitched the ninth for his 28th save in as many chances, extending the franchise record. MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Magic act: Baez never ceases to amaze. He walked to open the Cubs third and advanced on Lackey's sacrifice. One out later, Schwarber's swinging bunt sent the ball toward third and Foltynewicz grabbed the ball, then threw to first. Schwarber was safe -- although the Braves did challenge the call -- and Baez scampered home on the play to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead. "He's got all of that in his bag of tricks," Schwarber said of Baez. "It's fun to watch -- you see him make the backhand in the hole or steal home or whatever it is. It's a lot of fun. I know it's fun for everyone else to watch. We're wowed as well."

The Braves were hoping the call at first would be overturned. "That play could have gone both ways there during the replay," Foltynewicz said. "But during the last three or four bad starts, I think I would have gotten a little negative minded there and started speeding up and not really staying focused on what I needed to do at that moment." Using your head: The wind definitely favored the pitchers on Friday, blowing in from the east at 17 mph. It also made catching fly balls tough. Schwarber found that out in the second when he got a little bit of a late start on Nick Markakis' fly ball to left. Schwarber was able to catch the ball as he fell, although he appeared to roll headfirst. When he uprighted himself, Schwarber pointed to his head. He said it was an inside joke. "He got a '10' from the Latvian judge on that," Maddon said. "It was kind of a bull-in-the-china-cabinet kind of catch," Lackey said. "He's going to play hard and that's all you can ask for." And Schwarber's take? "I would describe it as a tumble and a somersault and I didn't stick the landing," he said. "It was a ball you have to go after and go get. It's a ball you have to take a chance on. Lackey was out there pitching really well, and you want to get him some outs when you can." QUOTABLE "[Lackey] was just keeping everybody off balance throwing curveballs. He never really had a sequence to where you could sit on a certain pitch. Everything was different in different counts, and in certain situations he threw offspeed heaters. Hats off to him. He's a veteran pitcher and he knows what he's doing." -- Rio Ruiz, who had two of the Braves' four hits SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS This was the Cubs' fifth shutout of the season, and first since July 16 at Baltimore. WHAT'S NEXT Braves: Lucas Sims will take the mound when this series resumes Saturday at 2:20 p.m. ET. Sims had won two consecutive starts before allowing four runs over 6 1/3 innings in Philadelphia on Monday. The rookie right-hander will be making his seventh career start.. Cubs: Jon Lester will make his first start since Aug. 17 on Saturday. He's been sidelined with left shoulder fatigue, which hindered him in that last outing against the Reds when he gave up seven earned runs on seven hits over 1 2/3 innings. He threw 47 pitches in a simulated game on Monday to tune up. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. -- Cubs.com Baez wows with 2nd-to-home dash on dribbler By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO -- When Kyle Schwarber hit a dribbler toward third and sprinted to first base in the third inning on Friday, he heard the crowd of 37,280 at Wrigley Field cheer. It wasn't for him, though, as the fans were reacting once again to Javier Baez. Baez raced home from second on Schwarber's swinging bunt to help spark the Cubs in a 2-0 win over the Braves.

"I didn't know he was going," Schwarber said of Baez, who apparently surprised the Braves as well. "I just hit the bag and thought I was safe. I heard everyone going crazy and I thought, 'What just happened?' I look back and saw that Javy scored. "I can't talk enough about how much baseball instinct that is right there," Schwarber said. "He saw the pitcher [Mike Foltynewicz] go over there and he made a nice play on it and threw to first, and as soon as [Baez] saw him throw, he took off. It's a great baseball instinct play right there." It's just Javy being Javy. Baez, who has become the Cubs' full-time shortstop since Addison Russell was sidelined Aug. 3 with a right foot strain, has had a busy week. He stole home on Wednesday against the Pirates and has made one defensive gem after another. "To be a good baserunner, you have to anticipate in advance," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "You have to see things. I've compared it to a good running back in football. They talk about how he sees his blocking schemes, he sees his holes. [Baez] sees things that most other guys don't see in advance of the moment. He just has that quickness about his mind when it comes to a lot of things on the field." What impressed Maddon was that Baez knew he was going to score the moment Schwarber made contact. "You can't decide halfway there, three-quarters of the way there, 'I'm going to do that,'" Maddon said. "I know [third-base coach Gary Jones] is being aggressive sending him, but Javy has to be invested fully that, 'I can do this,' and that was very large for us." It's not exactly clear whether Jones was waving Baez home. "I saw the ball off the bat well and the third baseman [Rio Ruiz] was almost at short, and it was Schwarber running, and I knew [Foltynewicz] was going to try to throw to first and throw him out," Baez said. "I didn't see 'Jonsey' and if he was stopping me or waving me. I was just going for it all the way, and made it." Schwarber is amazed almost daily by Baez's skills. "He's got all of that in his bag of tricks," Schwarber said. "It's fun to watch -- you see him make the backhand in the hole or steal home or whatever it is. It's a lot of fun. I know it's fun for everyone else to watch. We're wowed as well." Baez began this season as a part-time player, but with the injury to Russell, he's getting the chance to show he can play every day. You don't want to miss Baez's at-bats or his baserunning or his play in the field. Does he just rely on his instincts or does he think about the play? "It's probably 50-50," Baez said. "I was just trying to get there." -- Cubs.com Maples relishing inaugural callup after long road By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO -- A year ago in September, Dillon Maples thought his baseball career was over. The Cubs' highly regarded prospect had struggled while pitching for two Class A level teams. "It's been a pretty crazy 180 [degree turn]," Maples said Friday. "The way this year has progressed, I expected to be here -- well, I wouldn't say, I 'expected' to be here, but I was ready to be here if I was called on." Maples is now with the Cubs, getting his first callup to the big leagues on Friday. The 25-year-old began this season at Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach, moved up to Double-A Tennessee, then Triple-A Iowa. In 52 relief outings, he

struck out 100 batters over 63 1/3 innings and posted a 2.27 ERA. To record that many strikeouts, something has to be working right. "You have to have that one unhittable pitch -- whether it's a fastball or an outstanding breaking ball -- and in his case, I guess it's the slider," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Maples, who complements the nasty slider with a fastball that can reach the upper 90s. When Maples got the news about the callup, he called his father. "He's the guy I called last year when I wanted to hang it up," Maples said. "I'd lost passion, lost drive. I remembered calling him last year. It was appropriate that he would be the first one I called to tell, and my mom was in the car, and she found out right away. I heard her scream. It's definitely been a crazy ride for all of us." Maples' parents weren't at Wrigley Field on Friday. His brother, Carson, is a freshman at the Air Force Academy and just finished boot camp. "He hasn't seen any of our family for a long time," Dillon said of his brother. "I wanted them to go out there and spend time with him." They'll have plenty of time to catch up with the right-hander, ranked 14th on MLBPipeline's list of top 30 Cubs prospects. Maples was actually projected as a second-round pick in 2011, but had made a commitment to the North Carolina football team. The Cubs signed him for $2.5 million, which is still a Draft record for after the third round. But he struggled with control and injuries in his first five pro seasons. That's why Friday was so special. "It's been a long road," Maples said. "There's been issue after issue, injuries, mental funks, zero confidence. It's been a roller coaster, and I've arrived. I'm just ready to get out there and throw." Maples said there were so many coaches and teammates who had faith in him and his ability. "When I didn't believe in myself and had zero ounces of confidence, I had people who believed in me," he said. "It's strange to think how you could have that faith in somebody who has been so bad. They never lost sight. I'm thankful for all of them." When Maddon met with Maples prior to Friday's game, he also gave him a vote of confidence. "I just wanted him to know in my experience, really good Major League pitchers don't show up until they're 26, 27 years of age," Maddon said. "The other part I wanted him to understand is to not change anything: 'You've gotten here, you've done a lot of good stuff to get here. Don't think you have to do more.'" What's been the difference? Maples has always had the pitches and ability. This year, his preparation has been "astronomically better" than before, he said. "It's a really fun moment for us to see a guy like that who was a high-profile guy, went through ups and big downs and might even hang it up, so for him to be here today, those are the special callups," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. "For someone like him to realize that dream after that much hard work, it's a great thing for our game." Said Maples: "It's been a crazy year, but I'm ready for this." -- Cubs.com Hoyer reflects on Verlander talks, Martin deal By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- The Cubs talked to the Tigers about possibly acquiring pitcher Justin Verlander, but Chicago general manager Jed Hoyer said Friday that it appeared that Detroit had a deal with Houston and wasn't going to budge. "I think Detroit liked that offer all along," Hoyer said of the deal Thursday that sent Verlander to the Astros. "I think they were pretty focused on Houston all along. "Because they had a deal they liked, we never got that deep into it," Hoyer said. "In the end, it worked out for Detroit and for Houston. That was going to end up being the result for almost the entire month." The Cubs may have been able to handle Verlander's contract, but they had tapped into their farm system earlier this year to acquire Jose Quintana and Alex Avila from the Tigers. The Astros acquired Verlander for three top prospects. • The Cubs did make a move late Thursday, acquiring outfielder Leonys Martin and cash from the Mariners for a player to be named or cash. Martin is expected to join the Cubs on Saturday, when the team will have to make a move on the 40-man roster. "Joe [Maddon] always asks us for a guy who can steal a base, play outfield defense in September and, hopefully, play well enough to play in October," Hoyer said. "Martin provides that. He's a good baserunner, good basestealer, good defender." • The Cubs added four players on Friday, the day Major League rosters expand, selecting the contracts of infielder Mike Freeman and reliever Dillon Maples, recalling catcher Victor Caratini and activating reliever Justin Grimm from the disabled list. To make room on the 40-man roster for Freeman and Maples, right-handed pitchers Seth Frankoff and Jose Rosario were designated for assignment. Freeman will provide some backup at shortstop, which is needed with Addison Russell being sidelined an additional three weeks after he aggravated plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Hoyer said the Cubs looked at the waiver wire for other options as well. "The list of guys who cleared waivers at that position was small," Hoyer said. "There wasn't anything more appealing." Russell, who has not played since Aug. 2, has now missed 26 games, counting Friday's contest against the Braves. There isn't much time left in the season for him to return. "I'm optimistic," Hoyer said. "Our defense is notably better with both Javier Baez and Addy in the lineup at the same time. We have to get this guy healthy and hopefully not have a setback." Freeman was released by the Dodgers earlier this year, then signed as a free agent with the Cubs. He batted .306 in 80 games at Triple-A. "I'm prepared for any role I'm put into," Freeman said. "You hate for a guy like Addison to go down. I know how much he means to this team. My role can vary day to day. I'm ready for whatever opportunity comes my way." Freeman played eight positions this year, and even pitched. "I know Joe likes versatility, so I like the fit here," Freeman said. He's changed uniforms a lot. "This is the sixth clubhouse I've walked into," Freeman said. "It's certainly been an interesting year, to say the least. Wherever there's opportunity, I'm happy to go. Whatever role I can fill and however I can help the team win, I'll do that."

• The Cubs announced the Sept. 16 game against the Cardinals, currently listed as 12:05 p.m. CT, will now start at 3:05 p.m. CT. --