Plus the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Need to Sweep the Angels. Here’s the Math.
Anything less than a sweep this weekend and the Cubs’ playoff chances are probably over. Also: Luis Robert Jr.’s gaffe, Angel Reese is an all-star, the Zach LaVine spat, and Cooper Rush as a possible Bear.
Stu’s Notes: Aaron Rodgers Was in Egypt, Not Doing Drugs
Not drugs!
Joe’s Notes: The Splash Brothers Showed How Millennial Athletes Can Thread the Needle
Klay Thompson and Steph Curry managed to be both competitive and cool.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Keep Losing Numbers Games
In catcher’s interference as in life. Also: Zach LaVine is not worth a first-round pick (it’s worse than it sounds).
Off the Lake: How Bad Are the Cubs’ Playoff Chances?
They’re bad, but *how* bad? Also: Matas Buzelis, Connor Bedard, a little Sky, and a little Sox.
Joe’s Notes: Who Are Baseball’s Biggest Stars?
Objectifying the subjective, as much as one can. Then: Rich Paul’s Australia threat, the USMNT’s failure, and Purdue Pharma’s House v. NCAA parallel.
Off the Lake: Shōta Imanaga Is Probably Fine. The Cubs Need Him to Be Great.
Also: Miguel Amaya, Angel Reese, Paul DeJong, a Bulls’ mock draft roundup, and the Bears’ offensive line.
Stu’s Notes: If the Panthers Blow a 3–0 Lead
Don’t bother making fun of Panthers fans. They have you outmatched.
Off the Lake: Ryne Sandberg’s Weekend Arrives at Wrigley
The Cubs prepare to honor an all-time great, and the Bulls traded Alex Caruso for more of the thing they already have.
Stu’s Notes: Remembering Willie Mays
A collection of tributes, memories, and reactions from last night and today.
Off the Lake: The Cubs Are Maddeningly Consistent
Plus: The Sky are not victims, the White Sox already killed Drew Thorpe, and what the Bulls shouldn’t do when it comes to trading up.
Stu’s Notes: The NIT Was Way Better Than the NBA Playoffs
Another triumph by basketball’s greatest tournament.
Stu’s Notes: Where Is Aaron Rodgers This Time?
The Jets have misplaced their quarterback again. Also! Luka Dončić, painkillers, cigarettes, Joey Chestnut, and hockey players hitting each other in the nuts.
Stu’s Notes: Poor Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum might not deserve our respect. But he probably doesn’t deserve this. Also: Yusei Kikuchi lit up Tyler Soderstrom and Dan Campbell committed a very Dan Campbell rules violation.
Off the Lake: Thank Goodness for Ian Happ
An Ian Happ appreciation post, plus: Drew Thorpe’s South Side call-up, Angel Reese’s double–doubles, and RIP Chet Walker.
Stu’s Notes: What Does America’s Newfound Cricket Dominance Mean for USA–Pakistan Relations?
Team USA has changed the game. Will this affect the war on terror?
Off the Lake: The Cubs Need More Mike Tauchmans
The Cubs don’t need a Shohei Ohtani. They need an army of Mike Tauchmans. Also: Pedro Grifol needs to go, and are the Sky the WNBA’s Pistons?