Cubs Daily Clips

May 1, 2016

Daily Herald Baserunning just one of the many things Cubs doing right By Bruce Miles

The Chicago Cubs ended April wielding umbrellas instead of baseball bats.

For the second time on this homestand, the Cubs were washed out by rainy and cold weather. Saturday's scheduled game against the Atlanta Braves was postponed, with no makeup date announced. The two teams will try it again Sunday.

So the Cubs enter May with a record of 17-5, good for first place in the National League Central. They went into Saturday second in the NL in runs scored and on-base percentage. No doubt you've heard about their crazy run differential of plus-79.

If all that weren't enough for opponents to handle, the Cubs are doing something else very well: running the bases.

It was all encapsulated in one play last week. Against the Milwaukee Brewers, Anthony Rizzo hit a ball against the shift into short right field, and none of the Brewers could quite flag it down. Rizzo looked up, saw that no one was covering second base and hustled into the bag for a double.

"To this point, I've thought we've run the bases really well," said manager Joe Maddon. "We do emphasize it a lot in spring training. I've talked about that a lot. I thought Kris Bryant is among the best baserunners in baseball. Then you get Jason Heyward, who I also believe is among the best baserunners in baseball.

"Anthony Rizzo is not the fastest, but he's a very good baserunner. You've got those three guys. Dexter (Fowler) is good on the bases also. Zo (Ben Zobrist) is here. Zo is very good on the bases. Addison (Russell) has gotten better. (Jorge) Soler has gotten better."

The Cubs entered Saturday ranked seventh in stolen bases, but good baserunning goes well beyond that. Good baserunning is what Rizzo did. It's also going from first to third, second to home and even first to home, if the opportunity arises.

The stats-oriented site FanGraphs (fangraphs.com) went as far last week to say the Cubs are the best baserunning team in baseball.

"The area where the biggest impact can be made is taking extra bases and avoiding extra outs, and it's also the area where the Cubs have been the best in baseball," the FanGraphs article said. "They've done a better job advancing on tag-ups and taking advantage of balls that get past the catcher. They've made fewer outs on the bases, while being more aggressive. They've gone first-to-third, first-to-home, and second-to-home all at a better- than-average rate. There isn't anything not to like here.

"Last year's Cubs were the second-best baserunning team in the league, and now they look better. The obvious place to look is the additions, and therefore Jason Heyward. Heyward hasn't yet hit much this year, but he's played his always-stellar defense in right field, and has also been the best individual baserunner in the game."

I went to the source and asked Heyward about the importance of baserunning.

"We as players all understand how much weight that can take off the guy behind you," Heyward said of good baserunning. "You're not always going to get hits. Sometimes playing against the better teams, little things like that help you get a slight edge, help you push a run across, help you keep that pitcher out there for an extra batter. And that helps your offense out.

Heyward seems to relish his reputation as one of the best baserunners in baseball.

"I love it," he said. "I love every aspect of the game. Once you get on base as an offensive player, there are other things you can do help your team win. I feel that the work never stops. If you hit a single or draw a walk or hit a double, even if you get to third base with less than two outs, there are still things you can to to have yourself ready to help the team. I feel if you're not trying to do that every time out, you're selling yourself short and selling your team short."

Yes, the Cubs may run into an out on the bases now and then, but Maddon isn't going to get all over a player for making a smart aggressive play.

"I think when you have a couple guys who really set the tone out on the bases, that is something that bleeds into the rest of the group," he said. "It comes down to the one things I've talked about: We're going to err on the side of aggressiveness. We're not worried about making mistakes. Historically, you screw up baserunners or baserunning when you get punitive, when you get angry with them when they make a mistake on the bases. That's when you get a station-to-station ballclub.

"So right now, I think our guys are out there looking to make things happen. They're proactive, and that's the way I like it."

Rain alters rotation:

Saturday's rainout will alter the Cubs' pitching rotation slightly. John Lackey will pitch as scheduled in Sunday's series finale.

The Cubs travel to Pittsburgh for three before coming home Thursday to face Dusty Baker's Washington Nationals.

In the series at Pittsburgh, the Cubs will go with starting pitchers Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. No. 5 starter Kyle Hendricks moves behind Arrieta and Lester to pitch Thursday night at home.

One zany trip coming:

Last year it was the onesie pajama trip to the West Coast, highlighted by Arrieta's no-hitter against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

For this week's short hop to Pittsburgh, Maddon has designated it "minimalist zany suit trip." Maddon said his suit will feature tulips.

"If you're seen at any time without part of your suit, it's a $100 fine, unless you're working out," Maddon said. "One hundred bucks if you're seen without part of your attire, like going to and from the ballpark and the hotel, going out for Starbucks in the morning. It can just be the tie, the pair of pants, your shoes and socks, some form of the outfit."

For a look at what the Cubs might look at as they board Sunday's charter to Pittsburgh, Maddon urged the media to visit shinesty.com, although he said multiple companies are involved.

Daily Herald Otto: Chicago Cubs adjust nicely to help out Lester By Dave Otto

Jon Lester might be one of the toughest players to ever put on a big league uniform.

Lester's performance on Friday against the Atlanta Braves is an example of just how mentally strong he is.

With men on first and second, nobody out, and a tie ballgame in the seventh inning, Lester fielded a bunt right back at him. What ordinarily is an easy toss to first base for most pitchers, looks to be pure anguish for him to execute. To use a baseball term, Lester instead "ate" the baseball, and did not make a throw to first base.

In post-game comments, Lester mentioned he did not have a good handle on the baseball. Regardless, if he did not feel confident about making that toss, he probably would've launched it over first base, and one run, maybe two runs would have scored on the play.

Instead Lester was faced with a bases-loaded situation. His reaction to that situation defines how tough he is. Instead of crawling into a hole, Lester attacked the next three hitters, getting 2 strikeouts and one weak groundball out to first.

Amazingly, no runs scored, and Lester kept the Cubs in position to win the ballgame, which they ultimately did.

So how can a pitcher throw a baseball 60 feet 6 inches to home plate with pinpoint accuracy, yet struggle making a simple toss to one of the bases?

The simple answer is, it happens. It might be one of the greatest mysteries in the game and there are many players that have gone through what is commonly referred to as the "thing."

One theory is that pitchers spend most of their time on the pitcher's mound either competing or practicing. Their pitching motion is fine-tuned through years of hard work, and they can practically pitch blind-folded. Lester is one of those truly gifted pitchers … on the mound.

Off the mound, when throwing to a base or making a pickoff attempt, that is where Lester looks awkward.

What's impressive is how this Cubs team has adjusted and worked on helping him get through this.

Every opposing team is well-aware, and will continue to exploit with bunt attempts, big leads on the bases, or anything else that will force Lester to make a throw.

When a bunt is a possibility, Joe Maddon and the Cubs have aligned their infield in a way that has minimized Lester's exposure to fielding a bunt. Sure, you might be giving up a few base-hits by playing further in at third than you normally would, but with the first baseman and third baseman charging on bunts there is a better chance that one of them could field that bunt. From the second base and right field position, Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward are doing their part by hustling to back up on plays.

As for controlling the running game, Lester has an extremely quick delivery to the plate, which gives Cubs catchers a better chance of throwing out a would-be basestealer.

David Ross chipped in Friday by gunning down Daniel Garcia from Atlanta at second base. Anthony Rizzo also does his part by screening base-runners on first base by constantly moving and playing off the bag when holding a runner on.

As a former pitcher who went through something similar, it can be brutal on a player's psyche. Yet, it appears that Lester is unfazed, and the seventh inning in Friday's game is a prime example.

In the bizarre world of baseball, Lester will discover or learn something, and this problem of throwing to the bases will gently slip away. Until that time comes, Jon Lester and his teammates will continue to adjust, because on the mound he remains one of the best in the business.

• Dave Otto, a standout athlete at Elk Grove High School, pitched from 1987-1994 for four MLB teams, including the Cubs. A former analyst for WGN Radio, FoxSportsNet and Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Otto also is a member of the University of Missouri Hall of Fame.

Cubs.com Cubs-Braves game postponed due to weather By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Saturday's game between the Cubs and Braves was postponed because of inclement weather. No makeup date was announced.

The two teams do have a mutual off-day on July 7 before Atlanta starts a three-game series against the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Fans are encouraged to retain their tickets from today's postponed game to use for the rescheduled contest.

This is the Cubs' second postponement. Their game Wednesday against the Brewers also was postponed because of rain. No make up date for that game has been set. It's the first postponed game for the Braves this season.

To accommodate the postponement, Saturday's original starter, John Lackey, will be pushed back to Sunday's series finale, while Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester will face the Pirates in order in the three-game series that starts Monday at PNC Park. Kyle Hendricks, who was scheduled to start Sunday, was skipped and will now start Thursday when the Cubs open a series against the Nationals at Wrigley Field.

"Kyle's fine, he doesn't need any extra time," Maddon said of the right-hander, who is 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA. "It's just something we chose to do. He actually, on paper, matches up well against Washington. It's one of those things. The weather permitted us to do these things, so we're going to do it."

Cubs.com Cubs approach club records in memorable April By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Rain on Saturday ruined the Cubs' attempt to set a franchise record for most wins in the first month of the season. Chicago finished April at 17-5, which is tied with the 2008 team for the most wins in an opening month.

The Cubs also have a 2.39 team ERA, the lowest in the opening month of the season since the 1985 team had a 2.16 ERA in April. Chicago's starters have 17 quality starts, tied for the Major League lead, and the bullpen has totaled 53 innings, fewest in the big leagues.

"Everybody is talking about the offense, but primarily the pitching and defense has set this up," manager Joe Maddon said of the strong start.

There's talk about the offense because the Cubs have outscored opponents, 136-57, the best run differential in the Majors. And Maddon sees the young players making progress. Javier Baez, for example, drew a walk in the eighth inning on Friday against the Braves. Baez has walked twice in 29 at-bats, but that's far better than last season, when he walked four times in 76 at-bats.

"That might be part of the conga line that really does it all the time, and these guys are watching," Maddon said of the patient approach at the plate. "To me, last year, [Baez] is swinging, he's trying to hit a ball over the wall right there, and [taking a walk] was not part of his thought process. When you're willing to accept your walks, you have a much better chance of hitting for a higher number."

Anthony Rizzo finished April with 24 RBIs, the third most by any Cubs player in the opening month. Derrek Lee drove in 28 runs in April 2005, and Hall of Famer Billy Williams finished the month with 25 RBIs in 1970.

• When Baez doubled in the fifth inning on Friday, he lifted his arms and did a little wiggle move. When David Ross singled Baez home two batters later, he made a slashing move across his chest. What's going on?

"It's our little inside man thing," Ross said Saturday. "What you're doing is you're giving a high-five to the bench in a different way. Your buddies on the bench are in the at-bat with you. We're grinding with you, We're rooting you on, so give me some love, whatever it is. Everybody has a different thing. Tommy La Stella has a little meditate [sign]."

Last year, the Cubs players put their hands on their heads. This year, some just point to the base, sort of an "all in" type gesture. None of it is done to show up their opponents.

• With Saturday's postponed game, the Cubs tweaked their pitching. Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester will face the Pirates in the three-game series that starts Monday at PNC Park. Kyle Hendricks, who was scheduled to start Sunday, was skipped and will now start Thursday when the Cubs open a series against the Nationals at Wrigley Field.

Tuesday will be Arrieta's first start at PNC Park since he shut out the Pirates in the National League Wild Card Game last Oct. 7.

• Third baseman Kris Bryant received treatment Saturday on his right ankle, which he sprained on Thursday while running the bases. An MRI confirmed a mild ankle sprain, and he was on deck to pinch hit Friday but did not get an at-bat. Maddon said athletic trainer PJ Mainville was pleased with Bryant's progress.

"I'll debate whether to play him or not [Sunday]," Maddon said of Bryant, who could simply be sidelined because the forecast isn't good for the series finale. "If we don't start him for sure, he'll be able to come off the bench."

Cubs.com Maddon picks 'zany' first theme trip for '16 By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Last year, the Cubs wore pajamas on the flight back from Los Angeles and players could wear shorts to Miami. The first theme trip this year will be Sunday when they travel to Pittsburgh for a three-game series, and it will be what manager Joe Maddon called "a minimalist zany suit trip."

"It's not your typical Hugo Boss thing, not Italian cut by any means," Maddon said Saturday. "Mine will feature tulips."

In Spring Training, Maddon was surfing the Internet for ideas and found a website that featured unique suits. Some are camouflage colored, some are harlequin patterned. Maddon bought two -- the tulip suit and a leopard print. "Being a Lafayette [College] Leopard, I thought it was appropriate," he said.

Catcher Tim Federowicz, called up from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, may borrow the leopard print suit. He didn't have time to shop.

There's more to the theme trip than just wearing the outrageous outfit on the team plane.

"If you're seen at any time without part of your suit on, it's a $100 fine -- unless you're working out," Maddon said. "Like going to the ballpark, in the hotel, going out for Starbucks in the morning, if you're seen without any part of the suit -- [you could wear] the coat, tie, pair of pants, shoes, socks, some method or form of the outfit. If you're seen without it, it's a [$100]."

The money will go to the Cubs clubhouse guys.

The reason for the theme?

"Part of it was that we never get dressed up," Maddon said. "We're going to get dressed up with this suit. I didn't want it to be a conventional suit. And I found these. ... It was my weird mind working."

So, heads up Pittsburgh.

Cubs.com Lackey to make delayed start in finale vs. Braves By Cody Stavenhagen

Same starters, different day.

After Saturday's rainout, the Cubs and Braves will push back their starting pitchers for Sunday's series finale at 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will throw right-hander John Lackey and Braves will counter with right-hander Julio Teheran.

Lackey is 3-1 this season with a 4.97 ERA and is 1-1 with a 2.76 ERA in three career starts against the Braves.

Teheran is 0-3 with a 4.60 ERA and winless in his first five starts for the first time in his career. It also ties Teheran's longest span of starts without a win.

He faces a Cubs team that is off to its best 22-game start in 109 years, but in two career games at Wrigley Field, Teheran is 2-0 with a 3.46 ERA.

Three things to know about this game

• Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Kris Bryant is making progress with his mild right ankle sprain. Maddon said the Cubs will wait to decide whether he starts Sunday, but he will be available off the bench if he does not.

• With Saturday's rainout and an off-day coming Thursday, it's likely the Braves will no longer have reason to carry 13 pitchers. That could set up the promotion of utility man Emilio Bonifacio from Triple-A Gwinnett. Bonifacio played for the Cubs in 2014 before he was traded to the Braves in July of that year. Bonifacio spent 2015 in the White Sox and Cubs organizations and re-signed with the Braves this offseason.

• Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is on a five-game hitting streak, batting .526 (10-for-19) with two home runs in that span.

ESPNChicago.com Cubs shuffle rotation after Saturday's rainout By John Jackson

CHICAGO – With an unexpected day off because of the postponement of Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs decided to shuffle the pitching rotation to keep starters Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester going on normal rest.

John Lackey, who was to pitch on Saturday, will start in the finale of the series with the Braves on Sunday. Jason Hammel has been pushed back a day and will start Monday in the opener of a three-game road series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Because Arrieta and Lester each had an extra day before their previous outings, the Cubs preferred to keep them pitching on four days of rest. Arrieta will go Tuesday followed by Lester on Wednesday.

Kyle Hendricks, who originally was to start the opener in Pittsburgh, has been pushed back to Thursday for the opener of a four-game home series with the Washington Nationals.

"We can manipulate right now, so we chose to do that," manager Joe Maddon said. "Of course, Kyle’s fine. He doesn’t need any extra time. It’s just something we chose to do. On paper, he matches up well against Washington. It’s one of those things where the weather permitted us to do these things, so we’re gonna do it."

The rainout also provided slugger Kris Bryant an extra day of rest and treatment as he recovers from a mild right ankle sprain.

"He was doing really well this morning, by the way," Maddon said. "(Trainer) PJ (Mainville) came in and was pleased with his progress."

Although Bryant wasn’t in Saturday's starting lineup, he would have been available as a pinch hitter. There’s a possibility Bryant will be ready to return to the lineup Sunday, but a chance of rain in the forecast might encourage Maddon to hold him out another day.

"It’s gonna be, I guess, not as nasty (as Saturday) but still can be somewhat nasty, so I’ll debate whether to play him or not," the manager said. "But if we don’t start him, for sure he’ll be able to come off the bench."

There has been no official makeup date for Saturday’s game, but both teams have a day off on July 7, a day before the Braves open a three-game series against the White Sox in Chicago.

Sharp Dressed Men: The rainout also afforded the Cubs players a chance to do some last-minute shopping ahead of Sunday’s themed road trip to Pittsburgh. Maddon has dubbed it the "Minimalist Zany Suit Trip."

The players, coaches and staff all will be required to wear suits and ties -- but not just any kind of suit. Some sort of unusual pattern or design is required. Maddon got the idea in spring training while visiting the website shinesty.com.

"Mine will feature tulips; I’ll give you that much," he said. "I saw the website and bought two of them. The other is leopard."

The theme will be in effect for the entire trip to Pittsburgh.

"If you’re seen at any time without part of your suit, it’s a hundred dollar fine unless you’re working out," Maddon said. "Going to the ballpark, in the hotel, going out for Starbucks in the morning. It can be just like the coat, a tie, the pair of pants, your shoes, the socks. Some form of the outfit."

CSNChicago.com Adam Warren Emerging As Essential Piece On Cubs Pitching Staff By Tony Andracki

Adam Warren was the lowest-profile addition of the Cubs' offseason, but he's already emerged as a vital part of the team out to the hottest start in baseball.

Jason Heyward, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist (plus the re-arrival of Dexter Fowler in spring training) got all the headlines as new acquisitons over the winter.

In fact, Warren wasn't even the main focus in the deal that made him a Cub as the return from the New York Yankees for Starlin Castro, the former face of the franchise who tallied 991 hits in six seasons in Chicago.

Yet where would the Cubs be right now without Warren?

The 28-year-old right-hander has pitched the most innings in the National League without giving up an earned run this season (8) and has allowed just two hits and three walks for a sparkling 0.625 WHIP.

"Just as I thought: outstanding," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "I try not to abuse him, pretty much. ... I"m very comfortable pitching him in the latter part of the game, whether it's the seventh, eighth, ninth — it doesn't matter to me.

"I think this guy could finish games. He's got that kinda ability; he's got that makeup. You got that kinda weapon in your toolbox — he's good against righties and lefties, he's durable, he's got all this variety of different pitches, fits our culture beautifully. I just don't want to abuse the guy."

Warren has worked as a starter in the past and said the Cubs initially told him they wanted him to work in the rotation at some point down the road.

But for right now, Warren is set as a jack of all trades in the bullpen pitching with confidence.

"I like being versatile," Warren said. "I like being able to do a lot of different things. So if I can continue to do that, that's where I like to be in the bullpen, just because I feel like that helps our team out the most."

Warren — like the rest of the Cubs — doesn't like to think too far ahead. He doesn't worry about what his "title" is in the bullpen, which is a necessary attitude to have with a manager that loves to play the matchups and is constantly tinkering with his relievers.

But Warren has emerged as a high-leverage arm Maddon can combine with Pedro Strop (2.89 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, 4 holds) and Hector Rondon (0.00 ERA, 0.29 WHIP, 4 saves) at the back end of the bullpen.

As the new guy on the pitching staff, Warren made it a point to get out to a good start.

"With a new team, you really want to prove yourself," he said. "So I think you have that chip on your shoulder a little bit to want to go out there and start off hot. But really, I think it's just going out there, having a gameplan with our scouting report and just executing."

Warren feels comfortable with his new team and in the bullpen, crediting his teammates and the Cubs coaching staff for welcoming him in.

Coming from the Yankees — a historic franchise with 27 World Series championships and a penchant for doing things a certain way (such as their no facial hair policy) — it was a little bit of a culture shock for Warren to come to a Cubs team that hasn't won the World Series in more than a century and essentially has no rules in a clubhouse designed to let everybody be themselves.

But the transition has gone as smoothly as possible, Warren said.

"It's completely different," he said. "Here, they've created the atmosphere of just be yourself, be laid back. I like that. I like being able to grow facial hair if you want.

"You start focusing completely on baseball. The atmosphere that fans create out there has been unreal to me. Even when it's been cold, they've been up for every pitch. It's really refreshing to see the excitement around the team."

Chicago Tribune Here's the pitch: Cubs' patience at plate key to success By Paul Skrbina

Dexter Fowler followed the foul line to first base after ball four during the first inning Friday, the 115th Cub to take that walk in his team's 22-game-old season.

Two batters later, Ben Zobrist became No. 116.

Seven times in all the Cubs coaxed a walk from a Braves pitcher during a 6-1 victory at Wrigley Field.

But Javier Baez's during a five-run eighth, the one that boosted their baseball-best total to 121, really grabbed the attention of his boss.

Patience, just what Joe Maddon and his staff ordered.

"Last year he's swinging, trying to hit a ball over the wall right there," the manager said after Saturday's game with the Braves was postponed because of rain. "(Walking) was not part of his thought process."

But it's a high priority for the Cubs, who addressed this part of the game specifically in a meeting during spring training.

While Baez, a 23-year-old middle infielder, has walked just twice in 31 plate appearances this season, the number of pitches he sees per plate appearance sits at a team-best 4.19. The sample size is small thanks to his early season injury, but the point remains.

The allure of taking pitches is tiring — for pitchers.

Three times the Cubs have taken 10 or more walks in a game, best in the big leagues and equal to the number of times they did it combined from 2010-15. Anthony Rizzo (18) is tied for third in the National League, with Fowler and Zobrist at 17 apiece.

Not surprisingly, Fowler (4.1) and Zobrist (3.92) are tops among Cubs regulars in pitches seen per plate appearance.

"These pitchers just can't keep making that many good pitches if you force them to throw so many," Maddon said. "That's part of the concept people don't get into enough. It's not easy to keep dotting corners, getting the breaking balls underneath the bat, elevating when you want to."

Extended at-bats are old hat for the Cubs, though, who were second in the majors in walks last season with 567, just three shy of the Blue Jays. (The flip side is they led the majors, by a lot, in strikeouts with 1,518. They currently are 26th.)

Fowler accepted 84 walks, first on the team, so it's no surprise he saw an average of 4.08 pitches per plate appearance, second on the team to Addison Russell's 4.12. Kris Bryant was second in walks with 77 (4.06), when the Cubs led the majors with 3.97.

This year, in addition to their safe lead in walks, the Cubs were fourth in P/PA going into Saturday's games at 3.99.

"The possibilities are endless when you have people who are walking," Russell said.

Walking goes against most instincts of a hitter. But Russell cautioned that he doesn't obsess about them. Walks, he said, come to the hitter.

They involve trust, he said, in the next man up.

"You're battling with the pitcher, you really want to get a hit," he said. "He ends up throwing a 3-2 (pitch) in the dirt. The bat's not really taken out of your hands, but you didn't hit the ball, so you … leave it up to the next guy."

Something Russell said he has no problem doing. The Cubs have baseball's best record at 17-5 and have won four in a row. A bulk of the credit belongs to the pitchers and the defense.

But a little walking never hurt anyone either.

"Unless you have the right people who know how to do that, you can't necessarily teach people how to do that," Maddon said. "That just might be being part of that conga line that really does it all the time and these guys are watching."

Many times from first base after the umpire barks, "Ball four!"

Chicago Tribune Manager Joe Maddon eager for Cubs to 'suit up' for trip to Pittsburgh By Paul Skrbina

Cubs manager Joe Maddon didn't have to look far for alternative arrangements — or formal wear — after Saturday's game with the Reds was postponed to a yet-to-be-determined date because of inclement weather.

He planned to celebrate his wife Jaye's birthday with an earlier-than-expected night on the town.

"How's that for timing?" he said at mostly empty Wrigley Field Saturday morning.

Maddon and the Cubs will stuff their suitcases full of ugly suits after Sunday's game for what the manager deemed a "minimalist zany suit" excursion to Pittsburgh, the first planned theme trip of the season.

Last year, Jake Arrieta donned a onesie during his meeting with the media post-no-hitter in Los Angeles during another theme trip.

Maddon said he was perusing the web during spring training when he came up with the idea. He bought two suits — one with tulips and one leopard skin, which he might loan to recent call-up Tim Federowicz.

"Not your typical Hugo Boss thing. Not Italian cut by any means," Maddon said. "Part of it was we never get dressed up. I didn't want it to be a conventional suit. That was my premise. Then I found these."

Maddon said the dress code will be strict in Pittsburgh. Any player caught not wearing any part of his suit at any time, excluding workouts and on the field, will be fined $100. Proceeds likely will go to Cubs clubhouse attendants.

"I don't know whether it's going to fit (Federowicz) or not, but I'm going to give him this chance to wear the leopard suit," Maddon said.

The rotation, for starters: Maddon said Saturday's scheduled starter, John Lackey, instead will pitch Sunday. Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester will throw in Pittsburgh beginning Monday, with Kyle Hendricks pushed back to Thursday's home game with the Nationals.

"We can manipulate it right now, so we chose to do that," Maddon said of moving Hendricks' start back. "Kyle's fine. He doesn't need any extra time. … On paper he matches up well against Washington."

Bryant update: Saturday's rainout gave third baseman Kris Bryant an extra day to rest his mildly sprained right ankle. Maddon said Bryant was "doing really well" Saturday morning and that if he doesn't start Sunday, he'll be available off the bench.

"Pleased with his progress," Maddon said.

Chicago Tribune Chicago baseball is ready for its close up with Cubs and White Sox By David Haugh

Say goodbye to Draft Town.

And welcome to Baseball City.

Sorry, St. Louis. But this year it can be found 300 miles north on I-55.

From Bridgeport to Wrigleyville, the signs everywhere are the ones workers won't be taking down Sunday around Grant Park. Ignore the football weather. Just look at the baseball standings.

You will find the Cubs and White Sox with the best records in the National and American leagues, respectively. The last time that happened this late into the season, Whitey Lockman managed the Cubs, ace pitcher Wilbur Wood dominated for the Sox, the Sears Tower opened downtown and gas cost about 40 cents per gallon.

It was May 29, 1973. A whole generation of the city's baseball fans never has experienced what it is like for the Cubs and Sox to be this good this soon simultaneously. A once-in-a-lifetime vibe at times has accompanied both fast starts. Not since 1907 when they were World Series champions have the Cubs won 17 of their first 22 games. And never have the Sox allowed one or fewer runs in 11 of their first 22 games, according to CSN Chicago.

For a change, the arrival of May Day in the city no longer represents baseball's first sign of distress.

Who needs the Stanley Cup playoffs and NBA lottery? And what is the hurry to get to Bourbonnais anyway?

This year, Chicago baseball no longer provides a bridge connecting the Blackhawks, Bulls and Bears seasons that nobody wants to cross. Instead, the bandwagons have begun filling fast on both sides of town as fans anticipate the ride of their lives. Before the first day of May, the Cubs and Sox already have given us reason to imagine October. Both the Cubs and Sox made the playoffs in 2008 but this feels different in ways difficult to describe in 140 characters or less or on SnapChat, perhaps because the Sox are such a big surprise and the Cubs have been so accepted as heavy favorites.

When Cubs manager Joe Maddon removed pitcher Jake Arrieta after five shaky innings Thursday on a cold day at Wrigley Field, for example, nobody rolled their eyes when Maddon's explanation referenced keeping Arrieta fresh for the World Series. With Anthony Rizzo hitting home runs at a record rate and Dexter Fowler playing at an MVP level, to name just two contributors on a team loaded with them, next year actually seems here for the Cubs.

Journeyman catcher Tim Federowicz, Saturday's temporary fill-in starter, probably will remember his cup of coffee with this Cubs team as vividly as his ninth-inning, game-winning home run for North Carolina in the 2008 College World Series. And the most die-hard of Cubs fans never will forget how to spell Federowicz.

A sense of history looms over every Arrieta start and a buzz accompanies every Cubs game because you never know when, say, Matt Szczur will bring the crowd to its feet with a grand slam. Szczur spelled backward, by the way, is pronounced Friday's Hero.

Likewise, nobody paying to watch the Sox snickers when analysts have compared the improved baseball intelligence manager Robin Ventura's team consistently displays with the 2005 World Series champions. Nobody on the South Side needs Stevie Perry to tell them don't stop believin' yet. They see opportunity. They watch a Sox team getting historically dominant starting pitching, running the bases well and playing defense like a group that benefited from the shrewd late addition of center fielder Austin Jackson.

Chris Sale looks headed for a Cy Young season, Jose Quintana continues to establish himself as baseball's best pitching secret, Adam Eaton appears on his way to the All-Star game and Mat Latos keeps proving the rest of league wrong, one hitter at a time. The Sox bullpen shows signs of being able to protect leads throughout the summer if only an offense that lacks oomph can provide enough of them.

Enter general manager Rick Hahn. Hahn, who deserves credit for finding bargains like Jackson and Latos, faces the problem every executive wants: His team proved early it is good enough to help contend. Now help it by finding another bat the Sox need and fixing the fifth starter dilemma. Even John Danks admitted after his last lousy start how much he is hurting his team. Either Erik Johnson or Jacob Turner at Triple-A Charlotte offer smarter alternatives to Danks, unless pitching coach extraordinaire Don Cooper can fix Miguel Gonzalez after his forgettable Sox debut.

The thing about winning early is that it creates pressure to sustain the success. That's the kind of heat Hahn likes.

As for the Cubs, they have fewer holes to fill on the majors' most complete roster. At some point, perhaps Cubs executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will want to kick the tires on veteran starting pitchers if Jason Hammel slides in the second half, as he tends to do, or search for catching depth once David Ross comes back to earth. But given the Cubs' talent, their biggest threat isn't the Pirates or Cardinals as much as complacency or injury, as Kris Bryant spraining his right ankle and Miguel Montero going on the disabled list reminded us. Both Bryant and Montero received promising diagnoses.

And Chicago baseball never has looked healthier. Savor it.

Chicago Tribune Cubs-Braves game postponed By Paul Skrbina

Rain, rain it didn't look like it would go away, so the Cubs and Braves will play another day.

Saturday's game, scheduled for a 1:20 p.m. start at Wrigley Field, was postponed due to impending inclement weather. No makeup date was announced.

Fans began lining up early outside the park in anticipation of a Ron Santo statue giveaway.

John Lackey was scheduled to pitch for the Cubs, who at 17-5 have the best record in baseball.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Lackey instead will pitch Sunday. Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester will throw in Pittsburgh beginning Monday, with Kyle Hendricks pushed back to Thursday’s game in Washington.

The Cubs were coming off a 6-1 victory Friday behind a 10-strikeout performance from Jon Lester and a grand slam from Matt Szczur.

The off day allowed third baseman Kris Bryant another day to rest his mildy sprained right ankle. He didn't play Saturday but Maddon said it's possible he makes an appearance Sunday.

Chicago Sun-Times Cubs cap April with best record in game, and they’re winning big By David Just

An April rainout in Chicago is nothing new, but the Cubs in first place? That’s something baseball fans around town could get used to.

At 17-5, the Cubs closed the first month of the season with the best record in baseball.

“Coming out of spring training, we talked about getting off to a good start,” manager Joe Maddon said after the game Saturday against the Braves was postponed because of rain. “I don’t think it could have gone any better. You’re not going to be perfect.”

What has been most awe-inspiring is how they’ve won.

Baseball isn’t a sport that inspires much conversation about margin of victory, but the Cubs are beating opponents by an average of 3.6 runs. The Mets and Cardinals entered the day a distant second at 1.9.

To put those numbers in perspective, the best average margin of victory by any team last season was the Blue Jays at 1.4.

The Cubs owe much of their success to pitching, which by nearly any metric has been the best in baseball.

The rotation and bullpen have combined for a 2.39 ERA, second-best in the majors behind the -Nationals (2.36).

“You can’t ask for a better month out of the entire group, starting and relieving,” Maddon said.

On offense, the Cubs haven’t put up particularly overwhelming individual numbers, hitting just .255. Anthony Rizzo is batting .218. But Maddon has been impressed with the quality of his team’s at-bats.

The Cubs have drawn 121 walks, the most in the majors, and scored 136 runs, which is second to the Cardinals’ 142. Even with his lowly average, Rizzo has driven in a team-best 24 runs, which is tied with Bryce Harper for the league lead.

“What Rizzo has done this month, those RBIs with a low batting average,” Maddon said, “it’s good to see because you know he’s going to hit even better average-wise as we move further along.”

Perhaps the least discussed element of the team’s success is the defense. The Cubs have the best total defense, according to the advanced metrics at FanGraphs.com.

Maddon has done his part by nurturing a loose, fun atmosphere in the clubhouse. In fact, the Cubs will have their first themed road trip of the season next week in Pittsburgh. Maddon is coining it the “zany minimalist suit trip.” He said he’ll be wearing a suit with -tulips on it.

“I would not want to be a part of another kind of locker room, one that is the opposite of this,” Maddon said. “I’ve been there. I don’t like it. It’s counterproductive.”

Needless to say, whatever he’s doing is working.

Notes: John Lackey, who was supposed to pitch Saturday, will start the finale Sunday. Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester will pitch in Pittsburgh, and Kyle Hendricks will face the -Nationals on Thursday.

No makeup date for the game Saturday was announced.