August 31, 2017

Daily Herald, Young Chicago Cubs pile on Pirates http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170830/young-chicago-cubs-pile-on-pirates

Daily Herald, Constable: How these Cubs can win it all again http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170831/constable-how-these-cubs-can-win-it-all-again

Daily Herald, Chicago Cubs get mixed injury news http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170830/russell-scratched-from-rehab-game-lester-back-saturday

Cubs.com, Baez steals home; defending champs flying http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251569156/javier-baez-ian-happ-lead-cubs-past-pirates/

Cubs.com, Baez steals home with some razzle-dazzle http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251543990/cubs-javier-baez-steals-home-vs-pirates/

Cubs.com, Lester to start Saturday vs. Braves http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251519926/jon-lester-may-return-to-cubs-on-saturday/

Cubs.com, Hendricks out to keep strong form vs. Braves http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/251437120/hendricks-out-to-keep-strong-form-vs-braves

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs can survive (maybe even thrive) without Addison Russell http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/45551/cubs-can-survive-maybe-even-thrive-without-addison-russell

ESPNChicago.com, Five Cubs players age 25 or younger hit 20-plus homers this season http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20512086/chicago-cubs-become-first-team-5-players-age-25-younger-hit-20-plus-hr-season

ESPNChicago.com, Cubs to use 6-man rotation; Addison Russell to have foot examined http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20511392/addison-russell-chicago-cubs-setback-return-foot-injury

CSNChicago.com, Is Jose Quintana feeling pressure to live up to The Trade? http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/jose-quintana-feeling-pressure-live-trade

CSNChicago.com, Game on: Jon Lester cleared to rejoin Cubs rotation http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/game-jon-lester-cleared-rejoin-cubs-rotation

CSNChicago.com, Setback for Addison Russell means Cubs could be looking for another shortstop http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/setback-addison-russell-means-cubs-could-be-looking-another-shortstop

CSNChicago.com, Cardinals raising the white flag? How Cubs manager Joe Maddon reacted to Mike Leake trade http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/cardinals-raising-white-flag-how-cubs-manager-joe-maddon-reacted-mike-leake-trade

CSNChicago.com, One swing by Ian Happ set Cubs and MLB record http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/one-swing-ian-happ-set-cubs-and-mlb-record

CSNChicago.com, Are the Cardinals waving the white flag? http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/are-cardinals-waving-white-flag-nl-central-mike-leake-mariners-wainwright

Chicago Tribune, Cubs crush Pirates 17-3 to maintain 3.5-game lead in Central http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-pirates-spt-0831-20170830-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Roster decisions loom in wake of Addison Russell's setback http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-addison-russell-roster-spot-20170831-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Jose Quintana rebounds on the mound: 'I still think he is settling in' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-cubs-sullivan-jose-quintana-pressure-spt-0831-20170830-column.html

Chicago Tribune, Javier Baez steals home: 'Not everybody can do that. He’s got the chip.' http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-javier-baez-20170830-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Back to basics for Cubs during bunting and baserunning practice session http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-notes-cubs-bunting-practice-spt-0831-20170830-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Tommy La Stella in good standing with Cubs http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-tommy-la-stella-20170830-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs shortstop Addison Russell scratched from rehab assignment with foot soreness http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-addison-russell-20170830-story.html

Chicago Sun-Times, Is Jose Quintana ready for prime time in September for the Cubs? http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/is-jose-quintana-ready-for-prime-time-in-september-for-the-cubs/

Chicago Sun-Times, Jon Lester will come off DL to start Saturday against Braves http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-eye-return-to-full-rotation-strength-after-jon-lester-throws-pen/

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs’ Addison Russell aggravates foot injury, DL return uncertain http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/addison-russell-suffers-setback-returns-from-iowa-rehab-assignment/

-- Daily Herald Young Chicago Cubs pile on Pirates By Bruce Miles Youth not only has been served on the Chicago Cubs this year. It's been seated at the head table. The Cubs' kiddie corps sent some records spinning and some heads turning Wednesday night during a 17-3 rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. In doing so, the Cubs compiled 20 hits. The victory completed a three-game series sweep and improved the Cubs to 72-60 for the season. The Cubs took care of things with a dazzling display of offense led by their younger players. Ian Happ hit a 2-run homer in the 3-run third. He also had an RBI single in the first and a 2-run double in the fifth, when the Cubs scored 7 runs. The home run gave the 23-year-old rookie 20 for the season.

Anthony Rizzo, no old man he at 28, hit his 31st of the season. Kyle Schwarber, 24, his 23rd and 24th. When the dust -- and the baseballs -- had come to earth, the Cubs found themselves with a franchise-record six players with at least 20 home runs in a season: Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras, Rizzo, Schwarber, Happ and Javier Baez, who contributed with a steal of home on a missed safety-squeeze. They also established a major-league record by getting 20-homer seasons from five players in their age-25-or-younger season: Bryant, Contreras, Schwarber, Baez and Happ. "We've got a lot of good hitters here, a lot of young guys that have learned a lot and are putting good swings on baseballs," Happ said. "You can see that, especially on a night when we get 20 hits as a team." All of this was to the benefit of starting pitcher Jose Quintana, the subject of much talk since the Cubs acquired him from the White Sox in July in a deal that included prospects Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease. Quintana gave up a pair of first-inning runs, throwing 31 pitches. He hit a pair of batters on 0-2 counts. Quintana settled in nicely after that and worked 6 innings, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs to improve to 5-3 with the Cubs. When Quintana has pitched well, talk has been that the Cubs got the best of the deal. When he hasn't pitched well, the trade has been perceived as a win for the Sox. The final verdict won't be in for some years. "I think sometimes they apply a little bit of pressure to themselves to live up to the moment," manager Joe Maddon said. "That's human nature. With him, I still think he is settling in. He's such a wonderful young man, and he's so concerned. He wants to do well. Listen, I know he's going to be really good for a long period of time." Quintana said he his not trying to live up to the trade. "I feel comfortable here," he said. "All the coaches and teammates made it easy to be here. It's new for me. I feel really good here. Just try to do my job. It's the same game." -- Daily Herald Constable: How these Cubs can win it all again By Burt Constable It's a gorgeous night at a rockin' Wrigley Field. Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta is slicing up the Pittsburgh Pirates. Cubs batters are doing their jobs. Ben Zobrist delivers a clutch home run. Jason Heyward gets two hits and drives in a run and lovable Anthony Rizzo smacks the ball all over the place. Kris Bryant and Javier Baez make slick fielding plays. The Cubs' closer barely takes the mound in the ninth inning, and my wife already is talking about how the victory anthem of "Go, Cubs, Go" will start playing the second the Cubs record that third out. And she is right. It sure does feel like 2016. The biggest difference is that instead of fireball closer Aroldis Chapman strutting to the mound to the blazing guitar riff from Libertyville's Tom Morello in the pounding "Wake Up," by Rage Against the Machine, Cubs closer Wade Davis just sort of appears on the mound while a 16-year-old ditty from Dr. Dre plays unobtrusively in the background. With his 27th save in 27 opportunities, Davis quietly sets the Cubs' record for most consecutive saves. The 2017 Cubs (except maybe on the charity front) are quieter than the 2016 Cubs. Gone is all that noise about how the Cubs could end 108 years of goats and black cats, and curses and jinxes, and foul balls and Cubbie occurences. While the 2016 Cubs boasted the entire starting infield for the 2016 All-Star Game, pitchers Arrieta and Jon Lester and outfielder Dexter Fowler, the 2017 Cubs sent only Davis. Bryant won't win the National League MVP award this year, but he's having a productive season. Rizzo won't win it either, but he deserves to be in the

discussion. Pitcher Kyle Hendricks won't turn in the lowest earned run average in baseball, but he's pitched more like his 2016 self since recovering from an injury. While I loved Fowler playing center field for the Cubs in 2016, current Cubs center fielder Jon Jay, with help from occasional center fielders Albert Almora Jr., Ian Happ and Heyward, have put up similar numbers. As much as fans loved backup catcher David Ross and cheered clutch hits by fellow backup catcher Miguel Montero in 2016, the Cubs are getting better production this year from rising star Willson Contreras and new additions Alex Avila and Rene Rivera, who are holding down the spot until Contreras returns from his hamstring injury. The Cubs clearly have all the ingredients needed to win the World Series again. As long as they make the playoffs, September doesn't even matter. To see how this is done, we need to study our old nemesis, the St. Louis Cardinals. Google "worst team to win a World Series," and the 2006 Cardinals pop up on your screen. That team finished the regular season with a mediocre record of 83-78. The Cardinals were 71-61 on Aug. 31. Our 2016 Cubs were 71-60 going into their game against the Pirates Wednesday. The 2006 Cardinals went 12-16 in September, lost their last game of the season on Oct. 1 and backed into the division title when second-place Houston lost its last game. Once those Cardinals limped into the playoffs, their pitchers found some magic. In the National League championship series, pitcher Jeff Suppan, who started the year as the Cardinals' fourth starter, was awarded the MVP. In the World Series, the surging Cardinals beat the favored Detroit Tigers four games to one. Rookie pitcher Anthony Reyes, who won five games all season for St. Louis, pitched a gem in winning the opening game of the Series. Diminutive 5-foot-6-inch shortstop David Eckstein drove in four runs while hitting .364 to win the MVP honors. The Cardinals' pitching staff compiled a 2.05 earned run average. That's a blueprint for the way the Cubs, who have a better roster than those 2006 Cardinals, could win the 2017 championship. The pitchers rediscover their 2016 form. The Cubs best hitters perform the way they should, and a player under the radar (Almora, Tommy LaStella, a rehabbed Contreras or Addison Russell, or maybe even Ben Zobrist again) gets hot and earns World Series MVP honors. In the meantime, Wrigley Field remains a magical place to watch a baseball game. -- Daily Herald Chicago Cubs get mixed injury news By Bruce Miles The Chicago Cubs got a mixed bag of injury news Wednesday, the most disconcerting of which is that shortstop Addison Russell has suffered a setback. Russell was supposed to start Wednesday for Class AAA Iowa at Memphis, but the team said he experienced soreness in his right foot during pregame work and had to be scratched from the lineup. He will return to Chicago to be checked out. Russell has been on the disabled list since Aug. 3 with a right-foot strain. On the other side of the ledger, ace lefty Jon Lester threw 50 pitches in his bullpen session, and he will start Saturday against the Braves, with Mike Montgomery going Sunday. Jake Arrieta will be pushed back to Monday's series opener at Pittsburgh. Lester has been on the DL since Aug. 18 with tightness in his lat and fatigue in his shoulder. Catcher Willson Contreras put on the gear and had a full session of catching and throwing during early work on the field. Contreras will have a lighter day of work Thursday. He has been on the DL since Aug. 11 with a right-hamstring strain, and the Cubs say the injury is a 4-6-week situation.

Reliever Justin Grimm (finger) had his appearance for Iowa moved from Thursday to Wednesday because of bad weather expected for the Memphis area. Grimm has been on the DL since Aug. 18. There will be no impending personnel crunch because rosters may expand from 25 men beginning Friday. Fall is in the air: The Cubs took the field before batting practice for early work. Specifically, they worked on executing the safety-squeeze bunt. It's a sure sign that fall baseball is fast approaching, and manager Joe Maddon says he wants his team ready for it. "We normally like to do things like this when we get to this part of the year," Maddon said. "Actually, the weather is cooperating, too. It just feels that way. "When you're in pretty good position in your division and you're playing well and then you ask guys to do this kind of thing, it's not difficult. It's not that difficult of a get. They're happy to do it. They understand the importance of doing it. "When when you go out there and Davey's (bench coach Dave Martinez) talking to them or Hyder (first-base coach Brandon Hyde) is talking to them, you can see they're actually listening, not just a lipservice kind of thing. "They're actually listening, and that's good. It's something I've always done in the past. You get to this time of the year and you want to just bring whatever's in the back of your mind, bring it back to the front so that when the situation occurs, it's not a surprise." Becoming an important guy: Tommy La Stella did not start Wednesday after starting in four straight games and going 6-for-14 with 2 home runs. That prompted a little kidding from Joe Maddon. "Here's an example like today," Maddon said. "We were doing the safety squeezes. I think Javy (Baez) was bunting, and Tommy was considerably close to the left-handed batter's box. We chased him out of there. And I said, 'Tommy, about a month ago, it wouldn't have mattered. But now that you're a starter, I don't want you standing that close to that batter's box, so please move.' " -- Cubs.com Baez steals home; defending champs flying By Carrie Muskat and Adam Berry CHICAGO -- Rookie Ian Happ drove in four runs and joined the 20-homer club while Javier Baez added a two-run double and stole home to spark the Cubs to a 17-3 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday and complete a sweep. Kyle Schwarber belted a pair of two-run homers and Anthony Rizzo added his 31st blast of the season to help the Cubs improve to a season-high 12 games over .500 and maintain a 3 1/2-game lead over the Brewers in the National League Central. Happ became the sixth Cubs player to hit 20 homers this season, joining Rizzo, Schwarber, Baez, Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras, which set a franchise record. The Cubs also set a Major League record for most players age 25 or younger to hit 20 home runs; the old mark was five, shared by the 2007 Brewers and 1979 Expos. "We have a lot of good hitters here, a lot of young guys who have learned a lot and are putting good swings on the baseball, especially on a night when we get 20 hits and score 17 runs," Happ said. "We had a lot of good [at-bats]."

Happ smacked an RBI single in the first, a two-run homer in the third and an RBI double in the fifth. It's the fourth time this season he's driven in four runs in a game. He flied out to left in the sixth but, needing a triple for the cycle, he ran hard all the way to third unaware that Starling Marte had made the catch. Happ did pause at third before heading to the dugout. "I loved the faux triple down the left-field line -- that was outstanding," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. Said Happ on the potential cycle: "I hit it -- I was hopeful." The Cubs now have outscored their opponents 270-180 in the second half, and the plus-90 run differential is tops in the Majors. Jose Quintana picked up his second career RBI with a run-scoring single in a seven-run fifth. More important to the Cubs, the lefty overcame a rocky first inning. David Freese hit an RBI single and another run scored when Quintana hit Marte to load the bases, then plunked Jordy Mercer to force in a run. But the lefty settled down and retired 14 in a row before Josh Bell's solo homer with one out in the sixth. "The first inning was tough but his stuff was really good from jump street," Maddon said. "He's just over-amped. This guy is still trying to make an impression for us and with us, and I just love his methods. He's such a professional." Ivan Nova also had a long first inning, throwing 32 pitches, and took the loss, lasting three innings. He's now 1-6 in his last eight starts and has given up 10 homers over 42 innings in that stretch. The Pirates have lost 13 of their last 18 games, and their starting pitchers are 3-9. "We got hit hard. We made a lot of mistakes up in the zone," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Breaking balls that were left elevated got hit hard. Fastballs that missed locations up got hit hard. We weren't sequencing as well as we've shown the ability to do in the past. Everything we left out over the plate was hit and hit well." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED On the run: Baez took advantage of Pirates mistakes in the second to score. He reached on a fielding error by third baseman Freese, then stole second and reached third on a throwing error by catcher Chris Stewart With Quintana at the plate showing bunt, Baez took a big secondary lead and then stole home when Stewart threw to third, tying the game at 2. He's the first Cubs player to swipe home in the regular season since Starlin Castro did so in 2010. Cubs fans probably remember Baez stealing home in Game 1 of the NL Championship Series against the Dodgers last year when he wasn't supposed to. "We had a safety squeeze," Baez said of the play on Wednesday. "It was the same error as last year [in the NLCS]. We practiced today in early work, and even during the early work I was going to the plate too fast and breaking to the plate pretty fast. I think on the play [Quintana] squared the bunt too early. I reacted early, too. I was making sure that didn't happen again and it did." "He's just one of those wild cards out there," Stewart said. "He does things you don't expect and catches you off-guard. He caught me off-guard." Glovework: Chicago's Jon Jay starred in the field in the third with back-to-back outstanding catches in center. He robbed Andrew McCutchen of a potential extra-base hit when he snared the fly ball at the warning track, falling to the ground after making an over-the-shoulder catch. Jay then grabbed Bell's fly ball toward the gap in right-center on the run. According to Statcast™, McCutchen's ball had a hit probability of 75 percent, while Bell's was 60 percent. "The play by Jon Jay was very instrumental," Maddon said. "[The first one] was the really spectacular play. The second one, good play -- the first one, great play. That's two really good plays that helped settle that inning."

QUOTABLE "They've been the same lineup. If you makes pitches, you're going to have success. If you don't make pitches, you're going to get hit." -- Nova, who suffered his first loss in four career starts against the Cubs SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Happ hit his 20th homer in his 89th career game. No player in Cubs franchise history has hit 20 homers in fewer games to start their career. The 17 runs allowed by the Pirates were a season high; the previous high was 14, which the Cubs scored April 24 in Pittsburgh. The Cubs totaled a season-high 20 hits, their first 20-hit game since May 12, 2014, when they did so against the Cardinals. Bell's 23rd homer tied him with McCutchen for the team lead. It also tied him for second on the Pirates' all-time list of home runs by a rookie, joining Ralph Kiner (1946) and Johnny Rizzo (1938) behind only Jason Bay (26 in 2004). WHAT'S NEXT Pirates: After an off-day Thursday, the Pirates will return to PNC Park to begin a three-game series against the Reds on Friday night at PNC Park at 7:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Gerrit Cole will start for the Bucs after throwing seven shutout innings and homering against the Reds at Great American Ball Park on Saturday. Pittsburgh could receive some reinforcements from Triple-A Indianapolis and the disabled list as Major League rosters expand from 25 to 40 players. Cubs: Kyle Hendricks will open the four-game series against the Braves on Thursday. The right-hander has an impressive 2.48 ERA in seven starts since the All-Star break but he's only 1-1 in that stretch. This will be his third career start against the Braves and first since Aug. 21, 2015. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT from Wrigley Field. -- Cubs.com Baez steals home with some razzle-dazzle By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO -- In Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers last year, Javier Baez stole home when he wasn't really supposed to. Baez did it again on Wednesday in the Cubs' 17-3 romp over the Pirates. "I told [bench coach Dave Martinez], 'It worked,'" said Baez, who was the co-MVP with Jon Lester in that NLCS. "I messed it up again and fixed it again." The Pirates led, 2-1, in the second inning when Baez led off and reached on a fielding error by third baseman David Freese, who couldn't handle the hard-hit ball. Baez then stole second and reached third on a throwing error by catcher Chris Stewart, whose throw to second sailed into center field. It was the second time this series that the Pirates have made two errors in one inning. With pitcher Jose Quintana at the plate, Pittsburgh starter Ivan Nova delivered a pitch while Baez took a big secondary lead. As Stewart bounced his throw to Freese at third, Baez didn't hesitate, broke for home and slid in without a return throw.

Before the game, the Cubs did some extra work on bunting and baserunning. Baez apparently had some timing issues. "I told [manager Joe Maddon] I'm going too early and I don't know why," Baez said. "He got off pretty far -- he got off farther than normal," Maddon said of Baez's secondary lead. "What you have right there is you've got an out and your pitcher is hitting. You're going to try to steal this run somehow. If [Baez] is over-aggressive right there, I'm OK with it." Quintana did square to bunt but the pitch was high. "I wanted to get out of the way," Quintana said of his reaction when he saw Baez coming down the line. "We had a safety squeeze," Baez said. "It was the same error as last year [in the NLCS]. We practiced today in early work, and even doing the early work I was going to the plate too fast and breaking to the plate pretty fast. I think on the play [Quintana] squared the bunt too early. I reacted early, too. I was making sure that didn't happen again and it did." It's tough to predict what Baez will do sometimes. "He's just one of those wild cards out there," Stewart said. "He does things you don't expect and catches you off-guard. He caught me off-guard." Baez, who has taken over the shortstop duties since Addison Russell went on the disabled list Aug. 3, added a more conventional two-run double in the fifth. Maddon's favorite Baez at-bat of the game came in the eighth when he singled to left. "I went up to him and said, 'Go look at that swing [in the eighth] -- no stride, head down, everything was beautiful,'" Maddon said. "It was a well-struck line drive to left field. "How about his baserunning? His stealing of second base, his stealing home, reading the catcher -- the things that not everybody can do. He's just got the chip, he's got it." -- Cubs.com Lester to start Saturday vs. Braves By Carrie Muskat CHICAGO -- Jon Lester will return to the Cubs' rotation Saturday, but the news on shortstop Addison Russell wasn't as encouraging Wednesday. Russell, who was to make his second Minor League rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday night in Memphis, experienced some pain in his right foot and will be examined in Chicago on Thursday. He's been sidelined since Aug. 3 with a right foot strain and the Cubs were optimistic he'd return this weekend. "All I know is there was a setback," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said about Russell after Wednesday's 17-3 win over the Pirates. "You look at the shortstop position, and of course, [Javier Baez] is doing a wonderful job, but after that, it becomes different," Maddon said, noting the lack of depth at that spot on the roster. "Hopefully, it won't be anything prolonged [for Russell]. We'll see." On Monday, Russell went 1-for-3 with Iowa, hitting a double in his first at-bat. He was to have played six to seven innings in the field Wednesday.

"Addy's a big part of the team," Baez said. "Hopefully, he comes back soon." Lester, who has been out since Aug. 18 because of fatigue in his left shoulder, threw 50 pitches in a side session Wednesday and will return against the Braves at Wrigley Field. "He's smiling, which is always a good sign," Maddon said of Lester. "It's always good when a player is coming off an injury that he's smiling easily. I'm seeing everything trending in the right direction." The Cubs will go with a six-man rotation for now, keeping lefty Mike Montgomery in the mix and having him start Sunday in the series finale against the Braves. Montgomery was 2-0 and had given up one run over 13 innings in two starts subbing for Lester. Willson Contreras, who is also on the disabled list, had an active day on Wednesday, handling balls behind the plate from a pitching machine and also throwing to second base. Contreras, out since Aug. 11 with a right hamstring strain, was expected to be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, and that timeline has not changed. Reliever Justin Grimm (right index finger infection) allowed two hits and fanned two during a scoreless inning of relief on Wednesday night with Iowa. Worth noting • The Cubs had a refresher course on bunting prior to Wednesday's game. It's part of Maddon's plan. "In lieu of traditionally trying to hit balls in the seats [during batting practice], I prefer doing work like this, especially at this time of the year," Maddon said. The drills will continue in September as the coaches pick one day each week to go over fundamentals. "We like to do things like this at this time of the year," Maddon said. "When you're in a pretty good position in your division and playing well and ask guys to do this, it's not difficult. They understand the importance of doing it. "You get to this time of the year and bring whatever is in the back of your mind to the front, so when the situation occurs, it's not a surprise." • Koji Uehara served up one home run in 33 games before the All-Star break, and he's given up six in 15 games since entering Wednesday, including a solo homer on Tuesday night to the Pirates' John Jaso. Uehara had a 2.73 ERA in the first half; he had a 7.11 ERA in the second half entering Wednesday. "I'm trying to get him to understand -- when you give up a home run like that, you think you're not throwing well, but he is," Maddon said. "We're doing some work to try to figure out exactly what's going on here. This is one of those things you have to drill down into, because from the side he looks exactly the same. It's the homer, then he gets an out, then he gets a blooper to left field." The Cubs' video crew is studying video to see if it can pick up something. "A lot of times you look at something like that and say, 'His mechanics are off, he's got to throw another pitch,' all this crazy stuff," Maddon said. "We're working on something now and there's some relevance to what I heard, and the next step would be to take that to him specifically. "For my money, he does not look any different than he did at the beginning of the year. They've squared some balls up on him lately. I believe that as long as he's healthy, that will go away." • Tommy La Stella was batting .333 this month entering Wednesday and has provided a spark, especially with Russell sidelined. How important is he? During drills on Wednesday, La Stella was standing near the batter's box when Baez was bunting. Maddon asked La Stella to step back to avoid being accidentally hit.

"I said, 'Tommy, about a month ago, it wouldn't have mattered,'" Maddon quipped. -- Cubs.com Hendricks out to keep strong form vs. Braves By Ben Harris When the Cubs completed a three-game sweep against the Braves in mid-July in Atlanta, they stood 1 1/2 games back of the National League Central lead behind the surprising Milwaukee Brewers. Since then, only four teams in baseball have won more games than Chicago's 23. That streak has propelled the defending World Series champs atop the NL Central, sitting 3 1/2 games ahead of Milwaukee, which beat St. Louis on Wednesday. The Braves have faltered against the Cubs the last three years, going a combined 4-12 and 1-7 at home. Braves rookie prospect Sean Newcomb (2-7, 4.36 ERA) gets the ball for Atlanta in the series opener. While his record looks unencouraging, Newcomb has been better than that. He's gotten just 3.48 runs of support per game while striking out a respectable 76 batters in 74 1/3 innings. Newcomb had a great June to begin his career, posting a 1.48 ERA in four starts before struggling in July and righting the ship, more or less, in five August starts. In those five, Newcomb holds a 4.10 ERA. For the Cubs, right-hander Kyle Hendricks (5-4, 3.45 ERA) looks to continue a phenomenal second half of the season after the former Ivy Leaguer missed a month and a half with hand tendinitis. His seven starts since returning have resembled his 2016 season when he led the National League with a 2.13 ERA. In those games, Hendricks posted a 2.48 ERA, with 38 strikeouts and four homers allowed over 40 innings. Three things to know about this game • Hendricks' 21.1-percent swinging-strike rate in his last outing was the second highest of his career and highest this season. The righty got 16 of his 19 total whiffs with his changeup, the most for any pitcher in a single game in 2017. • Shortstop Addison Russell, on the disabled list since Aug. 3 with a right foot strain, was scratched from a scheduled rehab start on Wednesday and headed back to Chicago to be examined. He went 1-for-3 with a double on Monday in his first game since going on the DL. • Jon Lester (left shoulder fatigue) will return to the Cubs' rotation Saturday after he threw 50 pitches in a side session on Wednesday. -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs can survive (maybe even thrive) without Addison Russell By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- There aren’t many teams that can lose their starting catcher and shortstop and not miss a beat, but the Chicago Cubs aren’t like many teams. They’ve had their struggles this season, but at the end of the day they have tons of talent across the board. The news Wednesday afternoon that Addison Russell had suffered a setback in his recovery from a foot injury was offset by a 17-3 blowout victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, in which Russell's replacement played flawless defense while adding a two-run double and scoring three runs. But everyone knows Javier Baez is a good player; the bigger storyline is who has been replacing Baez at second base while he fills in at shortstop, and whether they could pull it off in a playoff setting.

On Wednesday it was Ian Happ, who homered and had three hits. The day before, Ben Zobrist hit a home run to break a scoreless tie, and days before that Tommy La Stella carried the offense while playing second base. The Cubs have plenty to fall back on without Russell, just as they did without Kyle Schwarber last season. “Have been working on a lot of stuff,” Happ said after the win. “Right-handed. Two-strike approach, left-handed. Be a little simpler and make some adjustments.” Happ homered for the 20th time this season while also adding a single and double. The rookie even thought he had hit for the cycle for a moment, as he couldn’t tell if Pirates left fielder Starling Marte had caught a ball he hit that way in the sixth inning. He just kept running. The Cubs will need more from Happ as well as Zobrist and even La Stella. With Baez entrenched at shortstop however much longer, manager Joe Maddon understands he’s turning to inferior defenders at second, though they’ve gotten the job done lately. “When you have [Russell] and [Baez] out there it’s different,” Maddon said. “I can’t deny that. It’s different. The other guys have been fine. Happ hasn’t been challenged, Tommy hasn’t been challenged. ... Overall, the second-base position hasn’t been challenged.” Even if the Cubs have proper depth at second base, they certainly don’t at shortstop. “You look at the shortstop position and Javy is doing a wonderful job, but after that it becomes different, so we were counting on [Russell's return] to happen,” Maddon explained. “[Russell] getting back quickly, hopefully it’s not anything prolonged. That’s such an important position. Just imagine without either one of them out there. Very difficult to imagine.” Of course, that’s worst-case-scenario thinking, which is the job of a front office. Could the team be looking for a shortstop, even as Chicago was in the process of finishing off a three-game sweep of the Pirates on Wednesday? There’s not much to rely on from the minors, while the deadline to add someone to be eligible for the playoff roster is midnight ET Friday. Zack Cozart of the Cincinnati Reds is a pending free agent, and Asdrubal Cabrera of the New York Mets is another name who could be of interest. At this point, the Cubs might just need a body -- anybody -- who can naturally play that position in case Baez needs a day off or gets hurt. Even a September trade isn’t out of the question. The good news is the Cubs have plenty of offense these days to help smooth things over. They reached a few milestones in Wednesday's 20-hit outing: Became the first team since the 1998 Red Sox to score 15 or more runs in at least four games in one calendar month. They’re the first team in history to have five 20 home run hitters all age 25 or younger. With Happ hitting his 20th homer, they set a franchise record by employing six players with at least 20 in one season. The 20 total hits were their most since May 14, 2014. Yes, Russell will be missed, but the Cubs can survive just as they have in the short term without Willson Contreras and Jon Lester. More nights featuring 17 runs could help, along with some added depth at shortstop. But the front office still might have some work to do. --

ESPNChicago.com Five Cubs players age 25 or younger hit 20-plus homers this season By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- Home runs are up everywhere and that includes Chicago, where the Cubs on Wednesday night became the first team in major league history to have five players record at least 20 home runs in their age-25 season or younger. Ian Happ, 23, went deep against the Pittsburgh Pirates to join Javier Baez (age 24), Kyle Schwarber (24), Willson Contreras (25) and Kris Bryant (25) in the exclusive club. Cubs skipper Joe Maddon said he didn't know of the impressive feat until he saw it displayed on the scoreboard. "That's pretty impressive. That's never been done, right? That's a long time," Maddon said after the Cubs' 17-3 rout over the Pirates. Happ's home run in the third inning off Pirates starter Ivan Nova also set a franchise mark as he became the sixth different Cubs player with at least 20 home runs this season. Anthony Rizzo has 31. "There are lot of good hitters here. A lot of young guys that have learned a lot and are putting good swings on baseballs," Happ said. "You can see that, especially on a night where we score 17 and gets 20 hits. A lot of good at-bats." -- ESPNChicago.com Cubs to use 6-man rotation; Addison Russell to have foot examined By Jesse Rogers CHICAGO -- The Cubs got some good and bad news on the injury front, as they plan to activate lefty Jon Lester (shoulder) from the disabled list in time to start Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves but shortstop Addison Russell experienced a setback in his recovery from a foot injury. "They have to re-evaluate it and look at it more closely," manager Joe Maddon said after the Cubs 17-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. "Obviously there was something that was sorer. It's a tough one." Russell hasn't played since Aug. 2 with a severe case of plantar fasciitis in his right foot, but he was preparing to return to the Cubs after a short rehab stint at Triple-A Iowa. He was scheduled to play his second game with Iowa on Wednesday night but instead was scratched and told to fly back to Chicago to get examined by doctors on Thursday. The Cubs are very thin at shortstop behind current starter Javier Baez. "You look at the shortstop position and Javy is doing a wonderful job but after that it becomes different, so we were counting on this to happen," Maddon said. "Addy [Russell] getting back quickly, hopefully it's not anything prolonged. That's such an important position. Just imagine without either one of them out there. Very difficult to imagine." The first-place Cubs could add from outside the organization, but if they want a player eligible for the postseason roster they need to acquire him by midnight on Friday. Meanwhile, Lester threw a bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon and the Cubs declared him ready to return. They plan on using a six-man rotation partly because Lester's replacement, Mike Montgomery, gave up just one run in 13 innings over two starts. It means the rest of the staff will get an extra day of rest during a stretch of 20 games in 20 days. Jake Arrieta will start on Monday with Montgomery getting the ball the day after Lester. --

CSNChicago.com Is Jose Quintana feeling pressure to live up to The Trade? By Patrick Mooney Do you feel pressure to live up to The Trade? “No, no,” Jose Quintana insisted late Wednesday night, surrounded by reporters at his locker inside the Wrigley Field clubhouse after a football-score win (17-3) over the Pittsburgh Pirates. “Sometimes, with the bad innings, I feel frustrated, because I want to try to help more. But I’m just focusing (on what’s) next.” This game looked like it might spin out of control for Quintana, creating more questions about his state of mind, what the Cubs were thinking with that blockbuster trade and how fragile the defending World Series champs could be in October. Even if the Cubs made that shocking deal with the White Sox while projecting the 2018, 2019 and 2020 rotations, nothing will be guaranteed then, and right now the rest of the National League Central is either conceding the division race or hedging for the future. The Cubs expect the boom-and-bust periods with their offense, understanding that they earned championship rings with a pitching-and-defense formula. After a rocky first inning that led to scattered boos from the crowd of 36,620, Quintana settled down against the Pirates, looking like someone who could someday front a postseason rotation. “I feel comfortable here,” Quintana said. “All the coaches and teammates make it easy to be here. Sometimes, it’s new for me. I’ve never been in that (position before). But I feel really good here. “The game never changes. It’s the same game. I’m here to do my job for one reason: I want to help this team and make the playoffs.” That is still the biggest takeaway from a wacky night where Javier Baez showed off his new braids and stole home plate: “I went too early. I messed it up. And I don’t know if you call that fixing it, but it worked.” Ian Happ almost hit for the cycle and became the sixth Cub with 20 homers this season, setting a franchise record. Kyle Schwarber blasted two homers and called out Happ for sprinting to third base on a flyball to left field. Quintana missed those fireworks as a hard-luck pitcher on bad White Sox teams, and it will be interesting to see how he responds in the heat of a pennant race. This is the trade-deadline parallel to Jon Lester signing a $155 million megadeal and needing an entire season to feel more comfortable, except Quintana didn’t ease into this at all with six weeks of spring training in Arizona. “I think sometimes they apply a little bit of pressure to themselves to live up to the moment,” manager Joe Maddon said. “That’s just human nature. I think he’s still settling in. He’s such a wonderful young man and he’s so concerned. He wants to do well. But, listen, I know he’s going to be really good for a long period of time. “We could talk about (how) curveball command hasn’t been as good, or maybe the changeup (wasn’t) utilized enough. But the fastball location hasn’t been what it had been. And that’s what you got to figure out: Why? Things like that are very correctable. Part of it might be just because I’m trying too hard. Sometimes it’s just simple as that.” Coming off an ugly loss to a Philadelphia Phillies team racing to the bottom for the No. 1 overall pick, Quintana gave up three singles and drilled back-to-back hitters with pitches in the first inning, putting the Cubs in a 2-0 hole. But from the moment Quintana’s pitch hit Jordy Mercer’s right foot and forced in a run, the lefty retired 14 batters in a row – until Josh Bell drove a ball toward the top of the left-field bleachers – and 16 of his last 17. Quintana – who’s now 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA through nine starts as a Cub – lasted six innings and finished with nine strikeouts and zero walks.

This wasn’t a prove-it start as much as a confidence boost for the pitcher who’s so crucial for a first-place team that’s up 3.5 games on the Milwaukee Brewers. “He’s just over-amped, man,” Maddon said. “This guy is still trying to make an impression for us and on us and with us. I just love his methods. He’s just such a professional. And hopefully that’s going to be kind of a catapult for him right there to get back into it." -- CSNChicago.com Game on: Jon Lester cleared to rejoin Cubs rotation By Patrick Mooney The Cubs are now a season-high 12 games over .500, 29-15 since the All-Star break and prepared to reincorporate their $155 million ace this weekend at Wrigley Field. The Cubs cleared Jon Lester to rejoin the rotation that has fueled this second-half surge and will start their ace on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, curious to see how he ultimately responds to a diagnosis that could have been so much worse: general left shoulder fatigue/lat muscle tightness. Mike Montgomery will make at least one more spot start on Sunday – the lefty swingman also matches up well with Atlanta – while Jake Arrieta will be pushed back to Labor Day against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. This is about as good as the defending World Series champs could have hoped for on Aug. 17 when Lester (8-7, 4.37 ERA) waved at the home dugout during a blowout loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Lester passed two more tests this week – Monday’s simulated game and Wednesday’s bullpen session – to convince the Cubs that he’s ready for the stretch run. -- CSNChicago.com Setback for Addison Russell means Cubs could be looking for another shortstop By Patrick Mooney Just when it looked like the Cubs were on the verge of getting their All-Star shortstop back for a September sprint toward the playoffs, Addison Russell experienced another setback while trying to recover from a nagging foot problem. The Cubs scratched Russell from Wednesday’s Triple-A Iowa lineup after he felt soreness in his right foot and will bring him back to Chicago for an evaluation on Thursday with Dr. Stephen Gryzlo. Russell – who was eligible to be activated from the 10-day disabled list on Aug. 13 – has been dealing with a strained muscle and plantar fasciitis during a disappointing season marked by off-the-field issues. Even though Javier Baez has already shown that he can be a dynamic two-way big-league shortstop, this could still leave the Cubs vulnerable at a crucial spot and searching for a waiver deal as insurance. The deadline to become eligible for a postseason roster is Thursday at 11 p.m. Chicago time. “I’m sure we’re always looking,” manager Joe Maddon said after a 17-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I’ve not heard anything right now.” Russell began his Triple-A rehab assignment by getting three at-bats in Monday’s game at Memphis and then taking a scheduled day off for recovery purposes. The initial plan for Wednesday was Russell playing six or seven innings. By the ninth inning of a blowout win at Wrigley Field, Ben Zobrist went back to his super-utility roots and took over at shortstop.

“Of course, Javy’s doing a wonderful job, but after that it becomes different,” Maddon said. “We were counting on this to happen – Addie getting back quickly. Hopefully, it’s not going to be anything prolonged, but that’s such an important position. Just imagine it without either one of them out there. Very difficult to imagine. We’ll see tomorrow.” After an underwhelming start to this season – 10 homers, 36 RBI, .722 OPS through 97 games – the Cubs hoped a strong September would give Russell a confidence boost heading into the winter. At the beginning of this seven-game homestand on Monday, general manager Jed Hoyer said the Cubs didn’t have an update on Major League Baseball’s seemingly stalled investigation into that domestic-abuse allegation made by a third party on social media. Hoyer declined to comment on whether or not it’s fair to have that hanging over Russell – without any public resolution – nearly three months later in the middle of a pennant race. -- CSNChicago.com Cardinals raising the white flag? How Cubs manager Joe Maddon reacted to Mike Leake trade By Patrick Mooney Maybe the St. Louis Cardinals engineered the type of move nimble, forward-thinking organizations make if this sets up the big deal – Trading for Giancarlo Stanton? Signing Manny Machado? – that leads to the franchise’s 12th World Series title. But dumping an established major-league starting pitcher with no-trade protection – in the second season of a five-year, $80 million contract when your team’s only five games behind the Cubs in the division race and less than six games out of a wild-card spot – still isn’t a good look. Whether or not trading Mike Leake to the Seattle Mariners for a minor-league infielder – and reportedly kicking in $17 million – signifies the Cardinals waving the white flag, it again highlights how the National League Central is set up for the Cubs and what a massive failure it would be if the defending World Series champs don’t make the playoffs. “I was surprised,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday at Wrigley Field. “But, again, I don’t know what their issues are or what their situation is. 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 that’s pitched well against us. He’s going to the American League. I’m happy with that.” At a time when the Cubs are anticipating Jon Lester’s return to the rotation and counting on their $155 million ace, the Cardinals are looking ahead to 2018, creating financial flexibility for the future and focusing on developing their enviable collection of young pitching. The Cardinals will face the Cubs seven times between Sept. 15 and Sept. 28. Leake – a first-round pick drafted and developed by the Cincinnati Reds – is 9-7 with a 3.63 ERA in 25 career starts against the Cubs. Maddon usually enjoys trolling the Cardinals, once comparing them to “The Sopranos” during an epic rant in the old Wrigley Field interview room/dungeon and bending the Busch Stadium rules with his “Try Not To Suck” T-shirt line.

But Maddon didn’t have to go there this time. All on its own, this is a stunning statement on where the rivalry is at now, the Cardinals having to deal with the fallout of being sellers. “It’s always the perception of the group,” Maddon said, “how much he’s well-liked, his impact, how it’s perceived within the clubhouse. Sometimes there’s addition through subtraction. I don’t know. I have no idea how he’s perceived there. None. “Again, that’s a Cardinal gig. They know what they want to do. They’ve been an outstanding organization for so many years. “I just look at it: What does it mean to me – us – right now? This guy’s good. I’m glad he’s in the American League.” -- CSNChicago.com One swing by Ian Happ set Cubs and MLB record By Paul Roumeliotis The Cubs made MLB and franchise history on Wednesday night. Ian Happ belted his 20th home run of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which made the Cubs the first team in MLB history to have five players hit 20 or more homers at the age of 25 or younger in a single season. The previous record was four, held by the 2007 Milwaukee Brewers and 1979 Montreal Expos, according to CSN stats guru Chris Kamka. The Cubs also set a franchise record by having six players with 20 or more home runs this season: Anthony Rizzo (30), Kris Bryant (24), Kyle Schwarber (22), Willson Contreras (21), Javier Baez (20), and Happ (20). In case you were wondering, the next Cubs player(s) to 20 home runs are Addison Russell and Ben Zobrist, who have 10. -- CSNChicago.com Are the Cardinals waving the white flag? By Tony Andracki The St. Louis Cardinals woke up Wednesday morning five games behind the Cubs in the National League Central. With just over a month left to play in the 2017 regular season, the Cardinals are putting emphasis on the future, even if they're not fully throwing in the towel. Wednesday morning, the Cardinals traded starting pitcher Mike Leake to the Seattle Mariners: Leake, 29, signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Cardinals before the 2016 season. He's made 56 starts in a Redbird uniform over the last two years, posting a 4.46 ERA. He is 7-12 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.325 WHIP in 154 innings in 2017. The move doesn't hurt the Cardinals a ton for the rest of this season, as they still have five solid starters once Adam Wainwright returns from the disabled list. It also frees up $55 million in cash for the Cardinals as they enter the offseason, putting them in a position to go hard in free agency or on the trade market. Or maybe they're opening up salary to acquire somebody (*cough* Justin Verlander *cough*) before the waiver deadline?

The Cardinals just blew out the Brewers Tuesday night, doing the Cubs a favor as Milwaukee fell 3.5 games back in the division. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs crush Pirates 17-3 to maintain 3.5-game lead in Central By Mark Gonzales The Cubs have survived without Addison Russell for four weeks, and they didn't seem fazed by the prospect of losing their shortstop for an indefinite period. Shortly after learning Russell was scratched from his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Iowa due to soreness in his recovering right foot, the Cubs produced a season-high 20 hits Wednesday night in a 17-3 win against the Pirates that completed a three-game sweep. Thanks to three hits and four RBIs by rookie Ian Happ and two home runs by Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs maintained their 3 1/2-game lead over the Brewers in the National League Central. Happ hit a two-run home run in the third inning to become the sixth Cub to hit at least 20 home runs this season. Five of those sluggers — Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber — are 25 or younger. Schwarber's first homers Wednesday capped a seven-run fifth. The Cubs smacked four homers to increase their second-half total to 75, second only to the Orioles' 80. The Cubs anticipated that Russell, who will have his foot examined in Chicago, would rejoin them this weekend. Russell went 1-for-3 with a double in his first rehab game Monday and was scheduled to play six or seven innings and get three or four at-bats. Without Russell, the Cubs might have to seek a backup shortstop to Baez before Thursday night's waiver trade deadline. One scout who watched Iowa play recently raved about the defense of Iowa shortstop Elliot Soto but questioned whether he could hit at the major-league level. "It's such an important position," manager Joe Maddon said. "I'm sure we're always looking." As of now, their only true option is Ben Zobrist, 36, who has played nine innings there in four games this season after Wednesday's ninth-inning appearance. Before Russell's latest setback, general manager Jed Hoyer said the Cubs would continue to talk to other teams but seemed skeptical that any deals would be made to be made due to waiver claims designed to block other teams from making deals. Meanwhile, Baez continues to play fearlessly, as evidenced by his baserunning in the second. With Baez at third, pitcher Jose Quintana squared to bunt but pulled his bat back as Baez broke toward home. Catcher Josh Stewart made a one-hop throw to third, only for Baez to break toward home and score easily without a throw. The offensive surge alleviated the heavy freight on the left shoulder of Jose Quintana, who was tagged for six runs on nine hits in a loss to the lowly Phillies on Friday. Quintana's first-inning struggles continued when he hit consecutive batters on 0-2 counts during a two-run first, but he retired 14 consecutive batters and didn't issue a walk while striking out nine in six innings. Jon Jay played a large role in Quintana's success. The center fielder made an over-the-shoulder catch of a drive by Andrew McCutchen before in center field for the first out of the third.

Josh Bell followed with a deep drive to right-center that forced Jay to sprint to the warning track to make the catch at full speed. -- Chicago Tribune Roster decisions loom in wake of Addison Russell's setback By Mark Gonzales The Cubs should know the extent of soreness in Addison Russell's right foot well before Thursday night's trade deadline. And that should give them some idea as to how seriously they will need a backup shortstop to Javier Baez while Russell is sidelined. Since taking over for Russell on Aug. 3, Baez played every inning at shortstop until the ninth inning of Wednesday's 17-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ben Zobrist, 36, took over for Baez, but he's more valuable at second base and left and right field. Zobrist has played only nine innings at shortstop this season and doesn't possess the same range as Baez or Russell. The Cubs have been realistic about their chances of adding a player before Thursday night's deadline, in which a player must clear waivers to be traded or have a deal worked out after claiming that player. The Cubs don't have a realistic option on their current 40-man roster. One option from within the organization is Elliot Soto of Triple-A Iowa, who has played 73 games at shortstop and 509 during his professional career. Soto, 28, received positive reviews from a scout who watched him play recently but questioned his ability to hit major league pitching. Another player making a push for a major league promotion Friday (when 25-man rosters can be expanded) is Iowa outfielder Jacob Hannemann, who extended his hitting streak to 13 games Wednesday night while hitting a three-run home run and stealing his 21st base. Hannemann could serve as a pinch-runner. -- Chicago Tribune Jose Quintana rebounds on the mound: 'I still think he is settling in' By Paul Sullivan Jose Quintana was sitting alone in the Cubs dugout before Wednesday night's game against the Pirates while madness swirled around him. Tommy La Stella pantomimed shooting Alex Avila with his index finger, and Avila pretended to be blown backward by the shot. Jason Heyward hung from the dugout roof, and Ben Zobrist and staff assistant Franklin Font practiced a synchronized routine in which they removed their caps in fast motion at the same time. It wasn't really much different from a pregame scene in the White Sox dugout, but Quintana's world has changed drastically over the last seven weeks, jumping from a pressure-free environment on the South Side to the heat of a pennant race only 8.1 miles north. Coming off his worst start as a Cub, Quintana pitched well in Wednesday's 17-3 win over the Pirates, recovering from a shaky first to throw six strong innings.

Aided by Jon Jay's Cirque du Soleil act in the third, when the center fielder followed a sensational, over-the-shoulder, diving catch near the 400-foot marker with another nice running grab on the warning track, Quintana allowed three runs on four hits while striking out nine. "Amazing, amazing," Quintana said. "When you've got guys like that making really good plays on defense, your confidence is so high." Manager Joe Maddon said Quintana was "over-amped" because he wants to make a good impression, and got better as the game wore on and he used his fastball more. "Hopefully that can be a catapult for him," he said. "He was very good." With the July 13 trade that brought Quintana to the Cubs already being second-guessed thanks to his inconsistency and Eloy Jimenez's sizzling bat in the Sox system, Wednesday's start figured to be a big one. Quintana had given up six runs twice in August, and every outing's importance was now magnified by the dwindling baseball calendar. Joe Maddon, naturally, declined to label it as such, saying he doesn't "like to apply more weight" to one outing over another. Statistically speaking, Quintana's numbers with the Cubs going into Wednesday's start were almost exactly the same as his first-half numbers with the Sox. He had a 4.49 ERA in 18 starts with the Sox with a .735 OPS against. In his first eight starts as a Cub, he posted a 4.50 ERA with a .734 OPS against. Still, most expected Quintana to be more dominant coming over to the National League, especially after the Cubs gave up both Jimenez and top pitching prospect Dylan Cease to get him. Quintana got off to another rough start in the first, trailing 1-0 before hitting Starling Marte and then Jordy Mercer with the bases loaded to force in another run. The crowd of 36,628 began to uncomfortably shift in their seats, but Quintana escaped further damage, and Javy Baez provided some electroshock therapy in the bottom of the second, stealing home to tie the score after Quintana missed a safety squeeze attempt. After Jay's theatrics in center in the third, Anthony Rizzo's RBI double and Ian Happ's two-run homer gave Quintana a three-run lead. He retired 14 straight batters from the first to the sixth before Bell homered to cut the deficit to 12-3. Along with his fifth win as a Cub, Quintana doubled his pleasure by singling home a run in the seven-run fifth, giving him two career hits and RBIs in 42 at-bats. If the Cubs hold on to their NL Central lead, soon it will become a simple math problem for Maddon, who has five starters and only a four-man rotation in the postseason. That means Quintana and John Lackey are not only trying to help the Cubs get into the playoffs, they're likely battling for one starting spot if they make it. Jason Hammel was the odd man out last year despite winning 15 games. Someone has to go, at least to the bullpen. Quintana showed Wednesday why he was a highly sought-after starter despite some mediocre first-half numbers. He said he wasn't bothered by the pressure of trying to live up to the hype surrounding the crosstown trade, though Maddon suggested it may have been Quintana's biggest obstacle.

"With him, I still think he is settling in," Maddon said. "I do. He's such a wonderful young man and he's so concerned. He wants to do well ... I know he's going to do good for a long period of time." -- Chicago Tribune Javier Baez steals home: 'Not everybody can do that. He’s got the chip.' By Mark Gonzales Javier Baez corrected a mistake on the base paths with one of his most daring and successful plays of the season. After wandering too far off third base on a bunt attempt by pitcher Jose Quintana, Baez believed he had little choice but to sprint home after seeing Pittsburgh catcher Chris Stewart rush his throw to third base. Stewart bounced his throw to David Freese, who held onto the ball and could only watch Baez score easily with a head-first slide for the Chicago Cubs’ first run in a 17-3 rout Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. “I went too early,” Baez said. “I messed it up and I don’t know if you call that fixing it, but it worked.” Manager Joe Maddon confirmed Baez moved too far off the third base bag but praised him for reading Stewart’s instincts correctly. “Not everybody can do that,” Maddon said. “He’s got the chip.” The Cubs will rely on Baez even more after learning that shortstop Addison Russell will be examined Thursday by Dr. Stephen Gryzlo in Chicago after feeling soreness in his right foot before his second minor league rehab game for Triple-A Iowa. “I’ll do my best to help the team,” said Baez, who has started at shortstop in place of Russell for the last four weeks. “Addi is a big part of the team, and Willson (Contreras), too. Hopefully (Russell) keeps working on getting better and getting back soon.” Baez also was sporting corn rows under his cap. “I decided to do it for a couple weeks and see how it goes,” Baez said. -- Chicago Tribune Back to basics for Cubs during bunting and baserunning practice session By Mark Gonzales The first of Cubs manager Joe Maddon's late-season back-to-basics sessions was conducted Wednesday with an eye on details. "You do different things like this in lieu of hitting balls into the seats," Maddon said after the Cubs worked on bunting and baserunning. "I'd prefer doing more work like this, especially this time of the year. "We'll augur moments at home to continue along the same path — simple fundamentals, nothing crazy." Many players bought into the drills and seemed to have a good time under the leadership of bench coach Dave Martinez.

Maddon has conducted similar tailored workouts in the past, but not with so many games left in the regular season. "Something in the back of your mind you bring to the front," Maddon said. "That's so when the situation occurs, it's not a surprise. Communication from the dugout is not a surprise. Put on a play, it's not a surprise, because it can happen." Duensing dealing: Brian Duensing has pitched in 56 games entering Wednesday and has an outside chance to match his career-high 73 with the Twins in 2013. Eight of Duensing's last 10 outings have lasted less than one inning. He's thrived in the role, especially against left-handed batters. "These guys are so good at walking you through an at-bat, having the scouting reports so you know how to go about facing a certain hitter," said Duensing, who has limited left-handed hitters to three hits in 22 at-bats since the All-Star break. "They guide you through how to make them put it in play where you want them to or put it in play weakly." Injury update: Left-hander Jon Lester threw a 50-pitch bullpen session without discomfort and will rejoin the rotation Saturday. Left-hander Mike Montgomery will be pushed back to Sunday, and Jake Arrieta will pitch Monday at Pittsburgh. Catcher Willson Contreras went through a series of running, agility and catching drills prior to the Cubs' bunting workout. -- Chicago Tribune Tommy La Stella in good standing with Cubs By Mark Gonzales The Cubs were in the midst of working on safety squeeze bunts Wednesday when Tommy La Stella was told he was standing too close to the batter's box. "About a month ago, it wouldn't have mattered," manager Joe Maddon joked. "But now that’s he’s a starter, I don’t want him standing that close to the batter’s box." In a span of 13 months, La Stella has progressed from an outsider to a popular member of the Cubs. Maddon was one of La Stella's biggest supporters after La Stella initially declined to be optioned to Triple-A Iowa and sat out a few weeks before reporting to Iowa and eventually rejoining the Cubs last September. "When that all came down last year, there was nothing to not like about him," said Maddon, adding that there were issues to be addressed on both sides. "He’s totally on board right now," Maddon added. "Watch him in the dugout when he’s not playing. Guys gravitate toward him. And his sense of humor in the dugout is another unifying situation. And he’s playing very well on top of all that." La Stella is batting .390 since July 8 and went 6-for-14 during four consecutive starts at second base. "We joke, but this guy can come off the bench and give you a good at-bat," Maddon said. "And then against better pitching — not just a bunch of rummies — this guy will give you a better at-bat, and that’s the attractive part of it." La Stella was amused to learn that he was spotted eating lunch Wednesday at a Gold Coast restaurant with ace Jake Arrieta.

-- Chicago Tribune Cubs shortstop Addison Russell scratched from rehab assignment with foot soreness By Mark Gonzales It doesn't appear shortstop Addison Russell will rejoin the Cubs soon. Russell felt soreness in his right foot during pregame work Wednesday before Triple-A Iowa's game at Memphis and was scratched from the lineup. Russell, who hasn't played for the Cubs since Aug. 2 because of soreness, will return to Chicago to be examined. The Cubs had anticipated that Russell, 23, who is bating .241 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs, could rejoin them as soon as the end of this weekend. But the latest development places pause on his return, especially due to the delicate nature of the injury. Russell went 1-for-3 with a double and handled two grounders flawlessly Monday night in his first game on a minor-league rehab assignment. The plan was for Russell to play Wednesday and perhaps Thursday, or get a day off before playing on consecutive games. In the meantime, Javier Baez will continue to handle the shortstop duties for the Cubs. The only other player on the active roster who has played shortstop this season is Ben Zobrist. Heading into Wednesday night, Zobrist had played a total of eight innings at the position over three games this year. Russell had played 729 of the 1,168 total innings (62 percent) while Baez had played 431 (37 percent). -- Chicago Sun-Times Is Jose Quintana ready for prime time in September for the Cubs? By Gordon Wittenmyer If left-hander Jose Quintana ever figures out how to get started, he can really help the Cubs finish off the National League Central. For the fourth time in six starts, Quintana labored through a long, ugly first inning. But he suddenly regrouped to retire 14 consecutive Pirates and win a game the Cubs turned into a 17-3 rout on the strength of a seven-run fifth. Acquired from the White Sox for the Cubs’ top two prospects at the All-Star break, Quintana and his slugging teammates finished off a sweep of the Pirates on Wednesday that — along with the Cardinals’ surrender earlier in the day — set the stage for a two-team division race in September. “He’s just over-amped, man,” manager Joe Maddon said. “This guy’s still trying to make an impression on us. “But he was very good tonight. Hopefully, that’s going to be a catapult for him to get back into it.” One of the more significant values the Cubs saw in trading for Quintana was that he’s under club control for three more years and able to fill upcoming rotation needs. But with the second-place Brewers only 3½ games behind the Cubs, Quintana’s greatest value could be in the present. So which Quintana are the Cubs getting for that last month?

Is it the dominant, confident ace who shut down the Orioles on three hits for seven scoreless innings in his Cubs debut last month? The commanding pitcher who retired 16 of the last 17 he faced Wednesday? Or is it the guy who gave up three hits and a run to the first five batters he faced, then hit back-to-back batters with 0-2 pitches to fall behind 2-0 before his teammates got up? The shaky southpaw with 11 runs allowed (including four homers) in the first innings in his last six starts? Quintana said he doesn’t feel pressure to live up to the expectations after the trade and — despite Maddon suggesting he’s still settling in — is comfortable six weeks after the deal. “It’s the same game,” Quintana said. “I’m here to do my job and for one reason: I want to help this team make the playoffs.” Maddon said the staff worked with Quintana on his approach between starts and believes the sharper curve and better overall command were a result. “Outside of the first inning, he pretty much nailed it,” Maddon said. “You can see the look in his face. The guy is ready. If you can just keep him that ready and get him to make his pitches early on, [that’s key] because he keeps getting better game in progress.” Take those four bad first innings away, and he has a 3.13 ERA in the 46 other innings he has pitched for the Cubs. Quintana admits he might be trying to do too much early in games but remains confident. How will he hold up in his first pennant race? Who will show up? “We have so much faith in the guy,” Maddon said. The Cubs got another boost of faith in the division race with the news that the Cardinals had traded Mike Leake — the $80 million free agent they signed before last year — to the Mariners for a minor-leaguer and international signing-cap space. “I was surprised,” Maddon said. The Cardinals acknowledged the move was about looking ahead to next year. Maddon stopped short of calling it the white-flag trade that it was. “He’s really tough on us, I know that,” Maddon said. “Go to the American League; I’m happy for that.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Jon Lester will come off DL to start Saturday against Braves By Gordon Wittenmyer The Cubs have opted for a six-man turn through their rotation. They’re activating Jon Lester from the disabled list to start Saturday against the Braves. Lester, who was deemed fit to return from the DL after a 50-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, will make his first start since leaving the mound Aug. 18 in the second inning with lat tightness and shoulder fatigue. “He’s come out of these different moments well, and he’s smiling, which is always a good sign,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I’m seeing everything trending in the right direction with him.”

Lester’s return won’t bump anybody from the rotation, at least the next time through. Mike Montgomery, who looked sharp in winning both of his starts in Lester’s place, starts Sunday against the Braves, pushing red-hot Jake Arrieta back one day, into the series opener in Pittsburgh on Monday. The Cubs are in the midst of 20 games in 20 days. Montgomery allowed only one run in 13 innings filling in for Lester. The two-week stretch on the DL ultimately might amount to a breather for Lester, who said he had pitched through the lat tightness for several starts. He has pitched in the postseason the last four years, including five starts and a relief appearance last fall, when he earned co-MVP honors in the National League Championship Series. Lester, who hadn’t been on the DL since 2011, was 8-6 with a 3.88 ERA before giving up 16 earned runs in four starts in August (7.85 ERA). NOTES: Fearing rain in Thursday’s forecast, the Cubs moved up reliever Justin Grimm’s second rehab appearance to Wednesday night for Class AAA Iowa. He pitched an inning, allowed two hits and struck out two. Grimm (finger) also pitched an inning Monday, allowing a solo home run and striking out two. He’s expected to be activated from the DL this weekend. • Rookie Ian Happ’s 20th homer, a two-run shot in the third inning, meant the Cubs had a franchise-record six players with at least 20 homers. Five of them are 25 or younger, breaking the major-league record. -- Chicago Sun-Times Cubs’ Addison Russell aggravates foot injury, DL return uncertain By Gordon Wittenmyer Cubs shortstop Addison Russell aggravated his foot injury during his minor-league rehab assignment, a setback that could push his return from the disabled list back by two weeks or more. Russell, who has been on the DL for the last month with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, was scratched from a start with Class AAA Iowa on Wednesday night and was to return to Chicago to be examined Thursday by team orthopedist Stephen Gryzlo. “It’s not ideal,” said general manager Jed Hoyer, who wouldn’t speculate on how close to the end of the season the setback could push Russell’s return. “I don’t think we know enough at this point.” The news was a significant blow to a team that holds a 3½-game lead over the second-place Brewers with 30 games to play and counted on a return to full strength for a successful playoff push. “Of course Javy [Baez is] doing a wonderful job, but after that it becomes different,” manager Joe Maddon said of Russell’s replacement, who has played daily at short since Russell went on the DL. “We were counting on Addy getting back quickly. Hopefully, it’s not going to be anything prolonged. That’s such an important position.” With Russell’s return pushed back indefinitely, Maddon already has talked with veteran Ben Zobrist about spot duty at short to give Baez a breather. Baez said he’s prepared to keep playing every day.

“I’ll do my best to help the team,” said Baez, who wound up with a steal of home during the 17-3 victory over the Pirates after a missed squeeze bunt in the second inning. “Addy’s a big part of the team. Hopefully, he keeps working on getting better and gets back soon.” Russell had been expected to return from the DL within the next week. He went 1-for-3 with a double Monday in his first rehab game and looked good in his four innings in the field. “So much of last season and even 2015 was fueled by great defense, and that starts with Addison and Javy,” Hoyer said. “A big part of our success has been those two guys playing defense. “Guys have stepped up and played well, but it’s just so hard replacing them.” --