CUBS
The Cubs dropped their weekend series to the Brewers in Milwaukee and entered Monday with a .500 record. The Cubs won the Friday game 7–6 behind four home runs; Dexter Fowler, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler, and Starlin Castro each went yard. Chicago dropped Saturday’s matchup 12–4, but there was a bright spot for the club. Rookie Kris Bryant hit his first major league home run—a third-inning, three-run blast off of Brewers starter Kyle Lohse. Sunday’s game featured a pitchers’ duel between former Cub and current Brewer, Matt Garza and Cub, Kyle Hendricks. The Brewers won 3–2 in the bottom of the 11th, even though Cubs manager Joe Maddon played a five-man infield with the bases loaded. The Cubs host the New York Mets for four games this week, then the Pittsburgh Pirates for three over the weekend. The Cubs left field bleachers opened Monday night, but construction continues at Wrigley Field on the right field bleachers, which are expected to be completed by the middle of June.
WHITE SOX
The White Sox won their second series in a row this weekend against the Cincinnati Reds. After a Friday night rainout, the Sox split a Saturday doubleheader with the Reds. Rookie Carlos Rodon made his debut as a starter in the nightcap, yielding two earned runs over six innings, while racking up eight strikeouts. The Sox won on a walk-off Sunday in the rubber match, beating the hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman. Sox closer David Robertson had his first blown save of the season, failing to protect a 3–1 ninth inning lead. The game headed to the bottom of the ninth tied 3–3. Avi Garcia started the rally with a two-out single and Alexei Ramirez followed with a single of his own. The runners moved up to second and third on a wild pitch during Gordon Beckham’s at-bat, and Beckham’s subsequent single gave the Sox a 4–3 victory over Chapman and the Reds. The Sox will follow in the Cubs’ footsteps this week, heading to Milwaukee for a three-game set. After that, they’ll spend their weekend in Oakland for a three game series.
BLACKHAWKS
The Blackhawks sealed a series sweep over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. They’ve been idle since, but await the Anaheim Ducks in the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The exact times and dates of games will not be posted until the Eastern Conference semifinals conclude tomorrow night.
BULLS
The Bulls won one and lost one this weekend in their Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls won Friday’s game at the United Center on a Derrick Rose buzzer-beater. On Sunday, the Cavs followed suit with a buzzer-beater from a star of their own: LeBron James. With the Cavs missing Kevin Love, and with Kyrie Irving injured, the Cavs will have to rely on LeBron James more than ever this series. The series shifts backs to Cleveland for tonight’s Game 5, with the series tied 2–2. Game 6 will be in Chicago on Thursday, and, if necessary, Game 7 will take place on Sunday in Cleveland.
