“He’s always been a hitter,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s been the youngest player on his team, still, for his whole career. And he’s always been one of the better hitters, and that’s impressive.

The Chicago Cubs have been one of the best teams in baseball through the first quarter of the season, powering their way to the top of the standings with a hist

TAKING THE FIFTH: The Cubs scored all five of their runs last night in the fifth inning. They have outscored their opponents by 25 runs in the fifth, 40-15. Their next-largest differential in an inning is 19, in the second (34-15). They are +11 in the first (26-15) and ninth (17-6). (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

With Ian Happ heading to the IL with an oblique injury, the Chicago Cubs reportedly are promoting top catching prospect Moises Ballesteros.

Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki homered in the fifth inning to help the Chicago Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Monday night. Miguel Amaya went 3 for 3 for Chicago, and Kyle Tucker hit an RBI triple.

The two games that were televised included a game where the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets with a final score of 6-5 and a matchup between the Minnesota Twins and the San Francisco Giants that ended in favor of the Twins with a score of 2-1.

Only one player from the Cubs' World Series core remains in the MLB as a true star. That's Kyle Schwarber, who is in the midst of a league-leading on-base streak.

Rea was told he'd likely be a reliever, but injuries gave him a chance to start. He's now 3-0, including Monday's win against the Marlins.