June 2, 2017 Chicago Tribune, Cubs rotation seeks a return to dominance at home http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-notes-spt-0602-20170601- story.html#nt=oft03a-1gp3 Chicago Tribune, Dexter Fowler returns to Wrigley still a member of mutual admiration society http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-dexter-fowler-returns-cubs-cardinals-spt-0602- 20170601-story.html Chicago Tribune, Dexter Fowler's defection gives Cardinals-Cubs rivalry a jolt http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-cubs-cardinals-rivalry-dexter-fowler-sullivan-spt-0602- 20170601-column.html Chicago Tribune, 'Luckiest guy in the world!:' Anthony Rizzo gets engaged http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-anthony-rizzo-reveals-engagement-to-emily-vakos- 20170601-story.html Chicago Sun-Times, Starts and fits: Cub rotation big part of woes, key to what comes next http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/starts-and-fits-cub-rotation-big-part-of-woes-key-to-what-comes-next/ Chicago Sun-Times, Welcome back to Wrigley, Dexter Fowler — it’s too bad you can’t stay http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/welcome-back-to-wrigley-dexter-fowler-its-too-bad-you-cant-stay/ Daily Herald, Cubs, Cardinals both looking to get on track http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170601/cubs-cardinals-both-looking-to-get-on-track Daily Herald, Constable: Attendance at Wrigley Field is behind last year's pace http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170601/constable-attendance-at-wrigley-field-is-behind-last-years-pace Cubs.com, Take 5: Identifying fixes for Cubs' problems http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/233764946/5-solutions-for-5-issues-plaguing-2017-cubs/ Cubs.com, Marshall, Zielinski to represent Cubs at Draft http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/233740060/george-brett-2017-mlb-draft-representatives/ ESPNChicago.com, Is meeting with rival Cardinals the remedy for Cubs' struggles? http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/44443/cards-series-looms-large-for-struggling-cubs CSNChicago.com, What We Learned About The Cubs In May http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/what-we-learned-about-cubs-may-2017-schwarber-zobrist-rizzo- happ-arrieta-world-series CSNChicago.com, How To Survive Playing At Wrigley Field When Cubs Are Getting 'Punched In The Teeth' http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/how-survive-playing-wrigley-field-when-cubs-are-getting-punched- teeth -- Chicago Tribune Cubs rotation seeks a return to dominance at home By Mark Gonzales Despite the Cubs going winless on their six-game trip to Southern California, manager Joe Maddon believes his rotation is on the verge of consistent success. "The starters are going in the right direction," Maddon said after Jake Arrieta allowed one run in six innings Wednesday against the Padres. The rotation will need to be at its best with some help from a suddenly unproductive offense as the Cubs face the Cardinals and one of baseball's deepest rotations this weekend. "Starting pitching is where it starts and ends," Arrieta said. He stressed the need for starters to set the tone and not fall behind early to put pressure on the offense. "If you're going to give up a run or two, keep it at that and not allow them to score three, four, five runs," he said. "Everyone knows if you're in a hole like that, it can be tough to climb out of." Arrieta is as optimistic as Maddon. He pointed out Kyle Hendricks made only one bad pitch in Monday's loss to the Padres — a grand slam to Hunter Renfroe. Hendricks finished May with a 3.34 ERA, best among Cubs starters. May gray: The Cubs finished May with a 12-16 record, with their starters posting a 4.98 ERA and their batters hitting .216 with an average of 4.21 runs per game. Javier Baez led the offense with a .302 batting average and 19 RBIs. Willson Contreras (.286) and Jason Heyward (.275) were the only players who hit higher than .241 with runners in scoring position. Extra innings: Cubs announcer Pat Hughes will be inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame on June 13 at Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant in New York. ... Former Cubs pitcher Sean Marshall and Zach Zielinski, son of late Cubs scout Stan Zielinski, will represent the team when the amateur draft begins June 12. -- Chicago Tribune Dexter Fowler returns to Wrigley still a member of mutual admiration society By Mark Gonzales The Cubs merely need to watch pregame ceremonies Friday to understand the value of perseverance. Dexter Fowler, who endured an unsettling free-agent period before returning to the Cubs and helping to lead them to their first World Series title since 1908, will receive his 2016 championship ring wearing the uniform of the rival Cardinals. "He's the right guy to adjust to any situation," said Addison Russell, one of several struggling Cubs who seek a rebound during this 10-game homestand. Several Cubs still admire Fowler for his unwavering concentration last season with the Cubs after a stressful offseason in which a multi-year contract failed to crystallize. Fowler's success and popularity resulted in the Cubs re-signing him on a one-year deal. Fowler essentially bet on himself and won big with a five-year, $82.5 million contract from the Cardinals last December. "It's easy to put that facade up," said pitcher Jon Lester, who considered offers from the Giants and Red Sox before signing with the Cubs before the 2015 season. "I know the first go-around was tough for him and all the nonsense with the qualifying offer and other stuff. "He expected things to be different. But it's fortunate that he came back to us, it worked out and we had that journey together last year." The Cubs made a qualifying offer to Fowler after the 2015 season that assured them of a draft pick if he signed elsewhere. But a multi-year deal with the Orioles in February 2016 didn't crystallize, prompting Fowler to re-sign with the Cubs. Fowler shocked his teammates when he returned to his teammates on a spring training practice field while accompanied by in the company of President Theo Epstein. "I was surprised," Javier Baez said. "But we needed a leadoff hitter. It was tough to see him go through that winter without signing. But I learned a lot from him. I was very close with him." Jason Heyward, who was traded to the Cardinals from the Braves one year before he became a free agent and signing with the Cubs in December 2015, admired Fowler's longstanding goal of winning a World Series as well as maximizing his free-agent status after he came back to the Cubs for one more year. Heyward cited the case of Ian Desmond, the former Nationals shortstop who settled on a one-year deal to play the outfield for the Rangers in 2016 before signing a multi-year contract with the Rockies last winter as an outfielder- first baseman. "At least (Fowler) got to come back with a team he was familiar with," Heyward said. "It could have been worse." The Cubs already have played two series against Fowler in St. Louis, but the mutual respect remains firm. "They're awesome," Fowler said last month. "Epstein sent me a little (ring) design, so I had seen it before it was done. I'm eager to see it in person. "It's going to be awesome, to do it in front of the boys. We accomplished something that hadn't been done. To be able to experience that with them is awesome." Said Lester: "I hope, even though he went to the Cardinals, he's treated well and gets the ovation and the respect he deserves for doing what he did here. For him to come back to Chicago for the first time (as a Cardinal), I'm sure they'll be some nerves and excitement. I'm sure it will be good for him to get it out of the way." -- Chicago Tribune Dexter Fowler's defection gives Cardinals-Cubs rivalry a jolt By Paul Sullivan Four days after the Cubs' victory parade in November, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak was asked at the GM meetings about chasing the team that seemingly had been chasing the Cardinals forever. "I haven't slept well in about two weeks," Mozeliak said facetiously. "Look, it was great for baseball, an amazing run by Chicago and Cleveland, and it was a dynamic World Series. But my responsibility is to the St. Louis Cardinals and to our fan base, and certainly we're going to do whatever we need to be competitive and get better. But you look at what (the Cubs have) been able to accomplish, and it looks like they have a pretty long run ahead right now. So we have our work cut out." One of the first things Mozeliak did last winter to close the 17 1/2-game gap was sign Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler to be his new leadoff man, giving Fowler a five-year, $82.5 million deal with a no-trade clause. The early returns haven't looked good for either the Cardinals or Cubs, who both trail the rebuilding Brewers in what appears to be a watered-down division. Still, it's not difficult to imagine the race coming down to the Cubs and Cardinals, with the Brewers in the middle of a rebuild. Are the Cubs taking the Brewers seriously? "I imagine the Cubs take everyone seriously," Brewers GM David Stearns said.