July 1, 2018

• Chicago Tribune, Cubs bats as hot as the weather: 20-, 14-9 win over Twins is 3rd straight game with -digit runs http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-twins-20180630-story.html

• Chicago Tribune, 'on target' to return to Cubs next week, but says they won't push it http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-cubs-kris-bryant-return-disabled-list- 20180630-story.html

• Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs reach halfway point with wild win over Twins https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-reach-halfway-point-with-wild-win-over-twins/

• Chicago Sun-Times, ‘More definition’ a positive for Yu Darvish, Cubs https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/more-definition-a-positive-for-yu-darvish-cubs/

• Chicago Sun-Times, leaves Saturday’s Cubs game with leg cramps https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/albert-almora-leaves-saturdays-cubs-game/

• Daily Herald, ' Almora, Baez not thinking about beings all-stars http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20180630/chicago-cubs-almora-baez-not-thinking-about- beings-all-stars

• Daily Herald, Singularly offensive: Cubs use small ball to beat Twins 14-9 http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20180630/singularly-offensive-cubs-use-small-ball-to-beat- twins-14-9

• The Athletic, What we’ve learned about the Cubs at the season’s midpoint https://theathletic.com/415144/2018/06/30/what-weve-learned-about-the-cubs-at-the-seasons- midpoint/

• Cubs.com, Cubs beat heat, outlast Twins in hitfest win https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/cubs-outhit-twins-win-on-hot-day-at-wrigley/c-283636020

• Cubs.com, Almora has 3-for-3 day, but exits with leg cramps https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/albert-almora-jr-exits-after-big-day-at-plate/c-283652624

• Cubs.com, Hendricks 'focusing on every throw' to improve https://www.mlb.com/cubs/news/kyle-hendricks-working-to-improve-mechanics/c-283637804

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Chicago Tribune Cubs bats as hot as the weather: 20-hit, 14-9 win over Twins is 3rd straight game with double-digit runs

By Phil Rogers

The finish line is exactly as far away as the starting point for the Cubs, and that should be a welcome development. Recent history says they’re about to get rolling, and the way they’re swinging the bat says maybe the turnaround has already begun.

Despite weather hot enough to force four players out of the game, the Cubs scored in double digits for the third game in a row Saturday, beating the Twins 14-9 before 40,950 at Wrigley Field.

Jason Heyward’s bases-loaded single broke a 9-9 tie in the seventh, and the Cubs added four more runs in the inning to make the lead as comfortable as it could be on a day like this.

The Cubs finished with a season-high 20 hits, 17 of them singles. All three extra-base hits were doubles.

Manager Joe Maddon said the game reminded him of one in the Texas League in which his Midland team lost to El Paso 30-5 despite El Paso not hitting a .

“That’s impossible,” Maddon said. “The park is smaller than this, the wind blows out harder than this, but that occurred. For those that have never experienced West Texas baseball, you just saw it today. That’s exactly what it looks like, what it’s played like, what it feels like. Fortunately we kicked the last field goal.”

Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario and Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. exited in the fifth — Rosario for a defensive replacement mid-inning, Almora for a pinch runner because his legs were cramping — when the temperature had climbed to 96 with a 107 heat index.

The Twins switched catchers in the sixth after Bobby Wilson looked wobbly running the bases, and they replaced center fielder Max Kepler in the eighth because of another apparent case of dehydration.

“Not everybody is used to this,” said Javier Baez, who was 2-for-6 and made his usual share of outstanding fielding plays. “I was fine, but I’m used to it.”

The Cubs are 46-35 at the midpoint of the season — short of where they hoped to be but well within sight of President Theo Epstein’s annual goal of 95-plus wins.

They have consistently played better in the second half of the season since Maddon arrived. They’ve built their .597 winning percentage (338-228) in the Maddon era by going 157-85 after the 81st game, with 52 or 53 true second-half wins in each of the last three seasons.

“The big thing is, if you’re doing well, it’s nice (to have a good record halfway through),” Maddon said. “If you’re not where you want to be, don’t panic, there’s a lot of time left, obviously. I’ve learned that over time.”

Maddon expects better from a Cubs team that has led the National League Central for only five days this season. “We’ve played well in spurts but still haven’t played to our capabilities yet,” he said. “Part of it is we missed KB (Kris Bryant) for a bit. We missed (Carl) Edwards and (Brandon) Morrow for a bit and got through that moment. Our starting pitching hasn’t nailed it down like we thought they would. There’s been some things that have happened, and in spite of it, we’re still in pretty good position.”

The Cubs have scored double-digit runs in their last three games, including two victories over the Twins. They go for a sweep Sunday with facing Lance Lynn.

Tyler Chatwood got off the hook Saturday despite allowing a season-high seven runs. Maddon was hoping to get him into the seventh, but Chatwood imploded in a four-run fifth, when the Twins took a 7- 4 lead. The Cubs jumped back ahead 9-7, but the Twins tied it 9-9 before the Cubs took control for good with five runs in the seventh.

“We’re in a good spot,” Chatwood said. “We’re starting to play good baseball. We’re in a good spot in the standings. Everybody’s excited to get going.”

Getting into the air conditioning is nice too.

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Chicago Tribune Kris Bryant 'on target' to return to Cubs next week, but Joe Maddon says they won't push it By Phil Rogers

Kris Bryant is eligible to rejoin the Cubs on Tuesday for the start of a series against the Tigers but might need a little extra time to sufficiently recover from inflammation in his left shoulder.

“He’s doing well,” manager Joe Maddon said Saturday. “He’s still on target maybe (for) Tuesday, maybe Wednesday. We’re not sure. Everything’s going in the right direction, but there would be no sense in pushing it if he’s not 100 percent ready.”

Bryant is on the disabled list for the first time in his career. He and enjoyed good health from 2015 to ’17, their first three seasons together. But Rizzo preceded Bryant on the DL with a 10-day stint in April after trying to play through tightness in his lower back.

The Cubs were 4-4 while Rizzo was out and have gone 4-4 without Bryant. They’re 38-27 when both are active.

Thanks to solid production from four replacements, Bryant’s absence has not had a major effect on scoring. The Cubs are averaging 7.3 runs in the last eight games.

Rookie David Bote was at third base Saturday, his third start in Bryant’s spot. , Javier Baez and Tommy La Stella also have had turns at third, with the group going 10-for-26 with five walks and seven . Baez’s two-homer, five-RBI game Tuesday at Dodger Stadium came when he started at third.

Smoking hot: The game-time temperature Saturday was 91, following a 96-degree reading and 106- degree heat index for the first pitch Friday. It had climbed to 96 with a 107 index by the fifth inning Saturday, when Twins left fielder Eddie Rosario left with a heat-related illness. Albert Almora Jr. left in the bottom of the fifth because of leg cramps.

Maddon said it was so hot, it made him think about when he worked in the instructional league in Arizona.

“I remember one year it didn’t get lower than 100 until Oct. 10 or 11, and we started on Sept. 15,” Maddon said. “You’re doing work every day from 7 o’clock in the morning or 7:30, and we played the game at 1 o’clock and it’s 100 every day. There’s no shade. If you’ve gone through an Arizona or even Florida instructional league as a coach, it’s like that for weeks at a time.”

Maddon spent two years managing the Jackson (Miss.) Mets in the Texas League in the mid-1980s. That’s the hottest he remembers being during a baseball season.

“I was telling somebody during the game yesterday — it was Albert (Almora) — throwing batting practice to Dante Bichette in 1985 in Jackson, when you’re throwing (BP) and you can see water just shooting off the top of your hand, it had to be hot,” he said. “Then you go into a clubhouse that did not have air conditioning. Texas League was pretty rough. Jackson, Little Rock, Tulsa and Beaumont. You got a break in Midland and El Paso because it was dry. But those other cities, man, it was boiling.”

Extra innings: Maddon welcomed the second opinion Yu Darvish received on his ailing right elbow from Keith Meister, the arthroscopic specialist who oversaw Darvish’s Tommy John surgery in 2015. Meister diagnosed Darvish with merely an impingement and inflammation before giving him a cortisone shot. “Whenever you define a situation, it helps the human being deal with it better,” Maddon said. … Carl Edwards Jr. will make at least one more rehab appearance at Triple-A Iowa before being considered for a spot in the bullpen. He missed June with inflammation in his right shoulder. … The Cubs’ seven hits in the fifth were their most in an inning since Aug. 26 last season against the Phillies. … Rizzo picked up his 74th interleague RBI with a second-inning single. Sammy Sosa holds the Cubs record with 100 in interleague games.

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Chicago Sun-Times Cubs reach halfway point with wild win over Twin By Brian Sandalow

There was a lot to remember about the Cubs’ 14-9 win Saturday over the Twins.

The Cubs scored at least 10 runs for the third consecutive game, which they hadn’t done since April 15- 17, 2003. Once again, Wrigley Field was sweltering, with a game-time temperature of 91 degrees and heat index of 101. Those numbers rose to 96 and 107, respectively.

It also marked the halfway point of a season that still has exceedingly high expectations but has been pockmarked with frustrations and injuries.

“We’ve played pretty well in spurts,” manager Joe Maddon said. “We still haven’t played to our capabilities 100 percent yet.”

It’d be hard to perform much better at the plate. The Cubs have scored 35 runs in the last three games, collecting a season-high 20 hits Saturday, including 17 singles.

“I think we’re getting better and better as days go by,” said Albert Almora Jr., who went 3-for-3 to raise his average to .332 before leaving in the fifth inning with leg cramps. “These are great signs of what happened today, getting it done not hitting extra-base hits. That is special. Fourteen runs is awesome.”

It happened on a day that was so hot three Twins players left with heat illness and there were large swaths of empty seats on the first-base side and in the bleachers because of the sunshine. Even Javy Baez, born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, said “it was actually really hot,” but he was used to it because of where he grew up.

“You’ve just got to stay [hydrated] and drink a lot of water,” Baez said. “You know it’s going to happen because, especially here, we’ve been playing in the cold pretty much until now. You’re just trying to get used to it and then play it through.”

The Cubs had to overcome more than the heat. They trailed the Twins 3-0 and 7-4 and were tied 9-9 after six innings.

“Give our guys credit,” Maddon said. “[The Twins] got up, we fought back again and [had] some wonderful at-bats.”

Obviously, more offensive days such as this one would be welcomed by the Cubs (46-35), who trail the National League Central-leading Brewers by 1½ games. They’re in that spot despite an inconsistent rotation and recent injuries to Kris Bryant and , not to mention all the twists and turns with $126 million free agent Yu Darvish.

Their record is six games better this year than it was at this point last year (40-41), but the place in the standings is pretty much the same as 2017, when the Cubs hit the halfway point three games behind the Brewers. The Cubs again are looking up at a Milwaukee team that appears to be much improved and could be primed to make a major move before the trade deadline.

And the Cubs might not be in position to make a splash of their own. The 2016 trade for and last year’s acquisitions of Jose Quintana and Justin Wilson have reduced the prospect capital a team would need to land an elite player.

The biggest improvement might come from lower-tier acquisitions or from within. That would mean injured players returning to form, more long outings from the rotation, the bullpen settling into the order Maddon wants and more of “the natural ascension” the Cubs’ manager is seeing from his players.

“There’s been some things that have happened that, in spite of, we’re still in pretty good position,” Maddon said.

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Chicago Sun-Times ‘More definition’ a positive for Yu Darvish, Cubs By Brian Sandalow

At least Yu Darvish knows what’s wrong. For Cubs manager Joe Maddon, that’s a good thing.

After a second opinion that followed a bullpen session in Los Angeles that didn’t go well, Darvish was diagnosed with an impingement and inflammation in his right elbow. On the disabled list since May 23, Darvish received a cortisone shot and will be re-evaluated in the next few days.

Maddon said it’s important for Darvish to know what he’s dealing with.

“Hopefully this relaxes his mind a little bit also, moving forward,” Maddon said. “Whenever you define a situation, it always helps the human being deal with it better, I think. More definition. I haven’t spoken with him yet directly, so once I do I’ll know better. I always believe in, once you get whatever is bothering you defined, it normally does help.”

Hot town, summer in the city

Twins outfielders Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler and catcher Bobby Wilson left with heat-related ailments. Wilson caught the fifth inning, walked to lead off the sixth and scored before exiting in the middle of the inning.

“I just couldn’t catch my breath. My heart was fluttering. I felt dizzy,” Wilson said. “Started getting a headache. Just felt like a long time out there and trying to rush out to the box to get a hit and of course having that at-bat and tagging from first and tagging from second and tagging from third.

“Just couldn’t even hold a conversation in the dugout. They just wanted me to get looked at. Saw the doctors. One of those days. Hot, long innings. That’s never happened to me before.”

The DL report

Maddon said Kris Bryant, on the DL with inflammation in his left shoulder, is “doing well” and “still on target.” Bryant could return when he’s eligible Tuesday or maybe Wednesday.

“We’re not 100 percent sure, but everything’s going in the right direction,” Maddon said. “There’d be no sense in pushing it if he’s not 100 percent ready, but there’s a chance that he will be.”

Carl Edwards Jr. (right shoulder inflammation) threw 19 pitches in two-thirds of an inning Friday for Class AAA Iowa. Maddon said his velocity was normal and the Cubs wanted him to be around 20 pitches. Maddon also said Edwards should be fine to pitch again Sunday or Monday.

Albert ahead

Albert Almora Jr. hit .363 in June, raising his overall average to .332, which was tops in the National League when he left the game Saturday with leg cramps. (The Reds’ Scooter Gennett later tied him with a 3-for-4 game.) Almora, who didn’t sound concerned about his health, took the news he was leading the NL in stride.

“You can go and sit back and acknowledge what you’re doing in the game, but at the end of the day, tomorrow’s a new day and that’s it,” Almora said. “You can be like, ‘Oh, that’s a pretty cool thing to happen to me right now,’ but tomorrow’s a brand-new game and you’ve got to think about the you’re facing.”

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Chicago Sun-Times Albert Almora leaves Saturday’s Cubs game with leg cramps By Brian Sandalow

Albert Almora is having a breakout season and has been one of the Cubs’ best players.

On Saturday, he and the Cubs got a scare. But it was just a scare.

Almora left during the fifth inning of the game with the Twins with leg cramps. Almora singled and appeared to grab the back of his right leg on the way to first. Almora stayed in the game for a batter but was taken out and replaced on the bases by Mike Montgomery.

“Things happen in games and cramps are definitely a part of it,” said Almora, who didn’t seem concerned about the issue.

Almora was 3 for 3 and left the game hitting .332, which has him tied with Cincinnati’s Scooter Gennett for the NL lead.

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Daily Herald Chicago Cubs' Almora, Baez not thinking about beings all-stars By Bruce Miles

Here's an idea for : Scrap the home run derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities and just let Javier Baez do magic tricks for about an hour.

Baez made more sparkling defense plays in Saturday's 14-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field. He helped Tyler Chatwood end a 4-run Twins outburst in the fifth inning on a groundout and later ranged into the outfield to make a nifty backhand grab of a popout.

But seriously, the Cubs have three serious all-star candidates in Baez, pitcher Jon Lester and center fielder Albert Almora Jr.

Neither Baez nor Almora seemed to be focused at all on being all-stars.

"No," said Baez, who has 16 homers and 59 RBI. "I don't like playing with numbers. That gets to my mind a lot. I try to do everything I can for the All-Star Game but at the same time stay away from the numbers."

Almora raised his batting average to .332, which was good enough to lead the National League before play ended Saturday.

"My plans are on coming back to Chicago after the day game in San Diego (before the all-star break)," Almora said. "If it happens, it would definitely be something special, something I'll cherish with my family and with my teammates. Right now, that's out of my mind."

Injury updates: Reliever Carl Edwards Jr. made a rehab appearance for Class AAA Iowa Friday. He allowed 1 hit and a walk while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning.

"Good one," said manager Joe Maddon. "Two-thirds of an inning, 19 pitches. Velocity was normal. Didn't finish the inning out but wanted him, I guess, right about 20 pitches. Then he should be fine probably tomorrow or the next day pitching again."

Edwards has been on the disabled list since May 30 with right-shoulder inflammation.

Maddon said he hopes pitcher Yu Darvish is feeling better about things after getting a cortisone shot for an impingement in his right elbow. Darvish has been on the DL, effective May 23, with right-triceps tendinitis.

"Hopefully this relaxes his mind a bit, also, moving forward," Maddon said. "Whenever you define a situation, it always helps the human being deal with it better, I think. More definition. I haven's spoken with him yet directly, but once I do, I'll know better. I always believed that once you get whatever is bothering you defined, it normally does help."

This and that: The Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in a major-league-best 13 games this season, including three straight games for the first time since April 15-17, 2003 … Seventeen singles were the most by the Cubs in a game since Aug. 30, 2006, when they had 17 at Pittsburgh … The Cubs went 16-12 in June.

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Daily Herald Singularly offensive: Cubs use small ball to beat Twins 14-9 By Bruce Miles

Warning to major-league baseball teams: If you can't stand the heat, stay out of Wrigley Field.

For the second straight afternoon, the Cubs on Saturday survived a war of attrition and dehydration with the Minnesota Twins, braving a rising heat index that began at 101 and rose to 107 to post a 14-9 victory.

The Twins lost three players to heat-related ailments -- Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler and Bobby Wilson -- while the Cubs' Albert Almora Jr. surrendered with cramping.

Unlike Friday's 10-6 victory, which featured home runs by four different players, the Cubs on Saturday used 17 singles among their 20 hits to move the baseball station to station.

The end goal was victory, but so was survival on another steamy day.

"I think it was exactly what we did and what we were thinking of -- is keep things simple," said Almora who went 3-for-3 with a run scored and 2 RBI before giving way to pinch runner Mike Montgomery in the fifth inning. "You don't want to try to do too much on days like this. You just want to kind of see the ball, hit the ball from the offensive part of it and then on defense, just try to get your job done.

"Try to keep things simple, man, and get a 'W.'"

Maybe that explains the 17 singles, even on a day when it would have been fun to tee it high and watch it fly.

"Home runs are pretty cool, but I think the way we produced runs today was also special," Almora said.

The Cubs scored 3 runs on 5 singles in the third. They sent 10 men to the plate in the fifth, scoring 5 runs on 7 singles. They added another single in the sixth before Ian Happ spoiled the singles party with a double in the 5-run seventh. Javier Baez and Tommy La Stella added a double apiece for the Cubs.

"For those that have never experienced West Texas baseball, that's exactly what it looked like," said manager Joe Maddon, whose team is now 46-35. "That's what it played like. That's what it felt like. Fortunately, we kicked the last field goal."

Baez is a guy who likes to crank the home runs, but he also had a single in addition to his double.

"Really big for us, honestly," he said. "When we play here with the wind, at least me, I forget about singles and everything. For me it's hard to stay focused on line drives because I can use the wind. But I've been staying in my approach and with the things I've been working on in the cage and during batting practice. It's been really good for me."

The only downer for the Cubs was another rough outing for starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood. The Twins took a 3-0 lead in the second on a bases-clearing double by Joe Mauer (5-for-10, 8 RBI in the series). For the day, Chatwood lasted 5 innings, giving up 7 hits and 7 runs while walking three and striking out six. With the Cubs up 4-3, he gave up 4 runs in the fifth after getting the first two batters.

The Cubs have not had a quality start since Jon Lester turned one in on June 20. Four relievers more or less held the fort the rest of the way, with Brian Duensing giving up a pair of runs.

"Chatwood was in great shape, two outs, nobody on, 81 or 82 pitches and it turned into 103 and several more runs," Maddon said. "I was really looking at him, get through this, go out for the sixth and if that's not so bad, go out for the seventh. I was there mentally. And it just did not want to play out."

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The Athletic What we’ve learned about the Cubs at the season’s midpoint By Patrick Mooney

Cubs manager Joe Maddon gets pulled in all these different directions and keeps so many ideas stored in his head that he didn’t even notice that Saturday afternoon marked the season’s halfway point.

“The big thing is if you’re doing extremely well, it’s nice,” Maddon said, tapping the table in the Wrigley Field interview room. “If you’re not exactly where you want to be, don’t panic, there’s a lot of time left, obviously.

“We’ve played pretty well in spurts. We still haven’t played to our capabilities 100 percent yet. The starting pitching has not nailed it down like we thought it would have, so there’s been some things that have happened where — in spite of — we’re still in pretty good position.”

Maddon then sweated through a 14-9 win over the Minnesota Twins that saw a 101-degree heat index at first pitch and four players from the two teams leave the game because of heat illness or cramping. Another suboptimal Tyler Chatwood start (seven runs allowed in five innings) made the bullpen work, with lefty reliever Brian Duensing (6.92 ERA) looking like he will need a timeout on the disabled list. The offense exploded for 20 hits — 17 singles! — and went 11-for-22 with runners in scoring position.

After Game 81, Eddie Money’s “Two Tickets to Paradise” blasted from the stadium’s sound system as Cubs players, coaches and personnel gathered on the field for a family day picnic. Without jumping into the Tommy La Stella-inspired bounce house in the left-field corner, this is what we’ve learned so far about a Cubs team that’s 11 games over .500 and on pace to win 92 games:

• Yu Darvish is an enigma.

Darvish can still be the hero, saving the rotation in the second half and rewriting his legacy after last year’s meltdown with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This also sounds like a realistic scenario: Darvish bouncing on and off the disabled list while Maddon continues to try to explain the differences between feeling sore, stiff and in pain. No one knows if Cubs officials will be popping champagne bottles with Darvish or spending most of next year’s welcome-to-spring-training press conference talking about the first-season pressures that come with a $126 million contract and how much everyone is looking forward to a fresh start.

Darvish traveled to the Dallas area to get another opinion on his right triceps tendinitis from Dr. Keith Meister, the longtime head team physician for the organization that supervised his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2015. Darvish received a cortisone shot to treat right elbow impingement/inflammation.

“Listen, we’re looking forward to getting him out there,” Maddon said. “Hopefully, this relaxes his mind a bit also moving forward. Whenever you define a situation, it always helps the human being deal with it better, I think. I haven’t spoken with him yet directly, so once I do, I’ll know better. But I always believe that once you get whatever is bothering you defined, it normally does help.”

• Jon Lester is the Game 1 playoff starter (if necessary).

The second half of Lester’s six-year, $155 million megadeal — already a spectacular investment — has opened with an All-Star-level performance (10-2, 2.18 ERA). Darvish clearly hasn’t lived up to expectations — 4.95 ERA/one win in eight starts — and would bring his own baggage into October. What Lester thought would be a passing-the-torch moment last year — starting Game 1 against Stephen Strasburg and the — hasn’t gone according to plan. Lester says he feels “completely different” from the World Series hangover.

“I don’t know why, but I just wasn’t able to recover last year as well as I have in the past,” Lester said. “This year, for whatever reason, I’m able to throw my bullpens and take it into my starts. I just feel better physically. I’m able to repeat my mechanics and feel strong out there. So just keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully ride it out.”

• The Professor is still looking for answers.

If anyone has the intellect, composure and athleticism to figure it out, it’s Hendricks. Look at three of the top four names that appear on his Baseball-Reference page under “Similarity Scores” — Jose Fernandez, and Jacob deGrom.

But Hendricks also doesn’t have a lot of margin for error to work with and his ERA (4.21) is now above the league average. His next loss will set a career high (nine). The next home run he gives up will tie a career high (17). His walk rate is up and his strikeouts are down.

The Cubs need Hendricks to be closer to the top-of-the-rotation starter he’s been the past two seasons.

“I feel healthy — I’m just terrible,” Hendricks said. “I’m just searching right now. It’s just bad. I don’t know. Mechanics, I’m just trying to focus mentally, go pitch to pitch, and I’m doing that. But something’s just off.”

• Kris Bryant isn’t a baseball cyborg.

Blessed with the perfect temperament for a big-market franchise player, Bryant admitted that he has temper tantrums (away from the TV cameras) and pouts on the couch when he gets home after bad games. Bryant also had to go on the disabled list for the first time in his career with a sore left shoulder that might explain why he hit only one home run in June while his OPS that month dropped nearly 200 points from May (.904). The Cubs anticipate activating Bryant by the Fourth of July.

“For like a month, it’s been something that he’s noticed,” general manager said. “It’s just something that nagged at him — and I’m sure he has other things on his body that are nagging at him — and it got progressively worse and progressively worse. That kind of shoulder injury is something that you can manage and you can deal with until you can’t. It got to the point where it was painful enough that it was affecting his follow-through and affecting his swing.”

• Albert Almora Jr. is (essentially) playing every day.

The Maddon haters go crazy on Twitter whenever they see Almora isn’t in the lineup. But the Cubs incorporated Almora into their roster as a drafted-and-developed rookie. Almora earned a ring and played in 18 postseason games before his 24th birthday. The Cubs purposely avoided signing a veteran free agent last winter who might have blocked Almora, who’s appeared in 76 games this season and is on pace for 500-plus plate appearances.

FYI: Almora will probably sit Sunday after leaving Saturday’s game with cramps. But super-agent sees the big picture when it comes to a client hitting .332 while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense.

“You may have many choices,” Boras said. “What Albert’s done is he’s patiently earned his way. He’s also, I think, illustrated a defensive contribution above where it’s obvious that he is that type of center fielder. And then his offensive contribution obviously has been both against right-handed and left- handed at a level that you normally see with starting players.”

• is the NL’s best defensive left fielder?

Uh, yeah, according to FanGraphs and its ultimate zone rating (5.9) and defensive runs above average metric (3.2). Or if it’s easier, think of Schwarbs as Sori 2.0. Remember how Dave McKay once coached up Alfonso Soriano, working with a converted player who had energy, a good attitude and a strong arm. Schwarber has 16 homers, eight assists and a growing sense of respect from opponents who might need to adjust the scouting report.

“The more reps you get out there, the better you’re going to be,” Schwarber said. “I’m just out there trying to do my thing. Get to that ball and get it in. And if they want to run, they can run. If not, they don’t.”

• almost certainly won’t use his opt-out clause after this season …

But the Cubs are finally getting the all-around player they envisioned when they finalized an eight-year, $184 million contract with the Gold Glove right fielder in December 2015. Check out Heyward’s 35-game sample since finding a different feel for his hands, clearing his head and coming off the concussion disabled list in the middle of May: .321 batting average, 16 extra-base hits, 20 runs, 21 RBIs, .866 OPS.

• “JAVY! JAVY!”

This is a next level for Javier Báez and he still hasn’t reached the height of his powers or prime years yet. Project this half-season across a 162-game schedule and it looks like this: 32 homers, 118 RBIs, 102 runs scored and 26 stolen bases with the ability to play outstanding defense at three different infield positions. No Cubs player creates the same Twitter buzz, viral highlights and reactions from the crowd and opposing fans quite like Javy Being Javy.

“I still want to see his game mature more,” Maddon said, “because there’s definitely flashes of dynamic play and then there’s the others that are still slightly out of control on occasion. But I think it’s starting to weigh in the right direction now.”

• Cubbie occurrences still happen.

Closer Brandon Morrow hurting his back while taking his pants off — plus Carl Edwards Jr. (right shoulder inflammation) beginning his Triple-A Iowa rehab assignment almost exactly a month after going on the disabled list — reinforced the idea that the Cubs will be looking for bullpen help at the July 31 trade deadline.

Manny Machado-palooza seems like a long time ago. is now hitting .285 with a .762 OPS and is a superior defensive when compared to the superstar. The Cubs may not have one glaring need, but everyone knows how team president Theo Epstein operates. There are no super-teams in the National League and the Cubs will go all-out trying to catch the Milwaukee Brewers and make sure their entire season doesn’t come down to a wild-card game.

“There’s a lot of stuff going that’s really trending in the right direction,” Maddon said. “Let’s just get everybody on the field again. Having the bullpen in order matters — I think that might be the most important.

“More length from the starters. Better health or greater health out of the bullpen. And just the natural ascension I’m seeing among the players — I kind of like the trend.”

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Cubs.com Cubs beat heat, outlast Twins in hitfest win By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- If you didn't watch the Cubs beat the Twins, 14-9, on Saturday at Wrigley Field, and just saw the final score, you're probably wondering how many home runs they hit. The answer is zero.

"Home runs are pretty cool," Albert Almora Jr. said, "but I think the way we produced runs today was also special."

Ben Zobrist talled three RBIs and Almora, Javier Baez and Jason Heyward each drove in two, including a tie-breaking RBI single by Heyward in the seventh inning, to spark the Cubs to victory. The Cubs totaled 20 hits, but 17 were singles.

"For those who have never experienced West Texas baseball, you just saw it today," manager Joe Maddon said of the combination of heat and hits. "That's exactly what it looked like, that's what it played like. Fortunately, we kicked the last field goal."

How hot was it? So hot that three Twins players -- Eddie Rosario, Bobby Wilson and Max Kepler -- had to leave because of heat-related illness. Almora also exited because of heat-related cramping in both of his legs. Home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt kept a wet towel around his neck the entire game. Game time temperature was 91 degrees, but the heat index by the fifth had reached 107.

"Not everybody is used to this," Baez said. "I was fine. It was really hot but where I come from, Puerto Rico. It's this hot, so I'm used to it. We just have to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water. You've got to get used to it and play it through."

The lead changed hands five times, and the two teams were tied at 9 in the seventh. Twins reliever Trevor Hildenberger walked David Bote, and he reached third on Ian Happ's double, the first extra-base hit in the game for the Cubs. Kyle Schwarber was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Heyward lined a single to left to score Bote. Baez followed with a two-run double, which proved to be enough.

"We've been talking about our offense, and we've been talking about trusting everybody in the lineup and making adjustments," Baez said. "I think everybody here is good, great players, but we have to make adjustments. It doesn't matter who it is -- it could be Barry Bonds, but when he misses, he needs to make adjustments, too. That's what we try to do every day is come to work to get better every day."

The wind was blowing in the hitters' favor.

"We can hit homers," Maddon said. "But if you work at-bats like that, that's really fun to watch."

Chicago starter Tyler Chatwood did not get a decision in his first start since June 19. The right-hander had been on paternity leave for the birth of his son, Owen, on June 24, and he had stayed in Chicago while the team was in Los Angeles for a four-game series against the Dodgers.

"It was as normal as you can be with nobody else here with you," Chatwood said.

The Cubs finished June with 16 wins, the most in a calendar month since they won 19 last September. Their record stands at 46-35 at the season's halfway point. Last year, the Cubs were 40-41 and 3 1/2 games back at the midway point.

"The big thing is if you're doing extremely well, it's nice," Maddon said. "If you're not where you want to be, don't panic. There's a lot of time left. We've played pretty well in spurts, but we still haven't played to our capabilities 100 percent yet."

Part of the reason the Cubs aren't at full capacity is because of injuries to key personnel, like third baseman Kris Bryant, Yu Darvish and Carl Edwards Jr. Bryant and Edwards are expected to return this week.

"There's a lot of stuff going on that's trending in the right direction," Maddon said. "Let's get everybody on the field again."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Tip of the cap: The Cubs had a runner on third with one out in the fourth when Almora lined a ball into the gap in right-center field. Jake Cave made a nice running catch, similar to what Almora does often in the outfield. A run scored, giving the Cubs a 4-3 lead, and Almora tipped his batting helmet to Cave to acknowledge the effort.

"I've been on the other side of that," Almora said. "You did all you could in that at-bat to come through for your team. Sometimes you just need to tip your cap. It's about respect."

SOUND SMART This is the first time the Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in three straight games since April 15-17, 2003. The Cubs now have 13 games this season with at least 10 runs, which leads the Major Leagues.

INJURY UPDATE Almora had to leave the game in the fifth because of cramping in both of his legs caused by the heat. He singled in the fifth, his third hit of the game, and he was grabbing his right quad as he got to first. Maddon and athletic trainer PJ Mainville checked on Almora, but he stayed in the game. Maddon told him to jog, not run, then lifted him for a pinch-runner, pitcher Mike Montgomery. The Cubs would've taken Almora out sooner, but Montgomery needed to get the proper shoes on. Almora began the day ranked second in the National League with a .324 batting average. He went 3-for-3 and is now in first, batting .332.

HE SAID IT "I think we're getting better and better as days go by. This was a great sign. Not hitting extra-base hits, that's special. Fourteen runs, that's awesome. I think we have a super positive attitude, and we have to keep going." -- Almora, when asked to assess the team at the halfway point

UP NEXT Jon Lester will close the series on Sunday, and he may hate to turn the calendar. Lester went 5-0 with a 1.13 ERA in five June starts, holding batters to a .155 average. He's 4-1 with a 1.25 ERA at Wrigley Field this season. The lefty picked up the win over the Dodgers in his last outing, giving up two runs over five innings. The Twins will counter with Lance Lynn, who is 6-6 with a 4.06 ERA in 18 career starts against the Cubs. First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field.

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Cubs.com Almora has 3-for-3 day, but exits with leg cramps By Matthew Martell

CHICAGO -- Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. was removed in the fifth inning of Saturday's 14-9 win over the Twins at Wrigley Field because of heat-related cramps in both of his legs.

Almora said he first felt a calf cramp up during his at-bat in the fifth inning, when he swung over a 3-1 . He flipped the next pitch into left field for a go-ahead RBI single, and he said both legs tightened up as he ran to first. According to Cubs PR, Almora is unlikely to start in Sunday's series finale.

"Things happen in games," Almora said. "Cramps are definitely part of it."

Initially, Almora stayed in the game when both manager Joe Maddon and athletic trainer PJ Mainville evaluated him, but only because Maddon didn't have a pitcher ready to pinch-run for the center fielder right away. Mike Montgomery, who ran for Almora on second base after Jason Heyward singled, had to put cleats on before running, because he was wearing sneakers.

"I needed a pitcher to run," Maddon said. "Because of that spot in the batting order, I couldn't just put a player in there without messing up what we were doing.

"I said, 'Albert, you just need to jog to second base. Just jog. Walk. I don't care. Just stay until we get a pitcher ready.'"

Almora was one of four players to leave Saturday's game with heat-related issues. Three Twins players -- Eddie Rosario, Bobby Wilson and Max Kepler -- left with heat illness. The heat index was 101 degrees at first pitch, and it reached 107 degrees in the middle innings.

"Guys, it was really hot. It was hot out there," Almora said about the four players exiting the game. "We're all playing this game pretty hard. [The heat] can get to you."

Almora went 3-for-3 with two RBIs in the game. He hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, and he tipped his cap to Twins center fielder Jake Cave, who made a diving catch.

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Cubs.com Hendricks 'focusing on every throw' to improve By Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- After his last start in Los Angeles on Wednesday, in which he lasted 2 2/3 innings, Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks admitted he was "searching." He's been watching a lot of video as he tries to find answers.

"It hasn't felt right for the last few outings," Hendricks said on Saturday. "We go through the same process -- watch video and see what's going bad and go back and look at good video from the playoffs last year or two years ago. We're trying to overlay video or [play it] side by side to see what I feel with what we see in the video. Then we all go out and take it out to throw. It's every day, focusing on every throw. When you've got bad habits, you've got to take advantage of repetition to get the good habits going again."

Hendricks, who was 1-4 with a 7.03 ERA in five starts in June, says he can look at video all day, but that it will come down to how he feels on the mound with his mechanics.

"[It's] 100 percent [feel]," Hendricks said. "You can talk about it, see it as much as you want, but getting your body in the right position to do it, that's the hard part. It's the fun part, too. You take it as a positive. It's an obstacle, but working through these kinds of things will only make you better."

Around the horn

• Carl Edwards Jr. gave up one hit, walked one and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning in a Minor League rehab outing Friday with Triple-A Iowa. He threw 19 pitches, and he will likely make another appearance on Sunday or Monday with Iowa before he's activated. Edwards has been on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

"He didn't finish the inning, but we wanted him at 20 pitches," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.

• Maddon is hopeful that Yu Darvish will have some peace of mind after seeing his doctor in Texas. Orthopedist Keith Meister diagnosed Darvish with a right elbow impingement and inflammation and gave the pitcher a cortisone shot. The Cubs were hopeful Darvish could come off the disabled list and pitch this weekend, but he felt pain in his right arm during a bullpen session on Thursday in Los Angeles.

"Hopefully, this relaxes his mind a bit moving forward," Maddon said. "Whenever you define a situation, it always helps the human being."

• Maddon has managed in instructional league in Arizona, where the temperature wouldn't dip below 100 degrees, and he has also spent time in the Texas League, where the weather can be extremely warm and humid. So what was the hottest day he's ever had on the field?

"Yesterday," Maddon said of Friday's game at Wrigley Field. It was 96 degrees at first pitch for the Cubs game against the Twins.

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