Diary of a Chicago Sports Fan

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Who'll stop the rain, and golf police don't need no stinking badge, but mostly, Almora shines

With both the White Sox and Cubs being rained out Wednesday, I'll take a quick overview of Chicago sports and also hit some miscellaneous points. While the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks are all playing this week, really the Cubs are the only ones I'm concerned about. While I want them all to win, the Bulls and White Sox aren't going anywhere this season. As a fan, you can continue to be frustrated by the Bulls or look for the development of young Sox prospects, but individual wins and losses don't matter much.

That leaves the Blackhawks and Cubs. While I'm very much interested in the Blackhawks and think they have a real shot at another Stanley Cup, whether they win or lose this week doesn't much matter. The key is getting ready for the playoffs. That's the approach the Hakes seem to have taken last night when the Colorado Avalanche beat them 4-3 in overtime. The Hawks not only had a 3-0 lead in the second period, but Marcus Kruger had scored the third goal on a nice move on a breakaway The Blackhawks then proceeded to give up two shorthanded goals before eventually going down in defeat. Scott Darling faced 51 shots. I know it wasn't and important game for the Hawks, but I'd like to see them tighten up before the playoffs.

Albert Almora Jr., fielding geek

The big Chicago sports story was the Cubs coming up with a 2-1 win over the Cardinals. The big takeaways from the game were Jake Arrieta looked strong, Albert Almora Jr. is the real deal with the glove in center, and the Cubs pen shut down the Cardinals over the last three innings.

This could be Arrieta's walk year and he certainly didn't hurt himself with Tuesday night's performance. Jake went 6 innings and gave up no earned runs. Albert Almora Jr. saved the game when he robbed Matt Adams of a home run by going over the center field wall and bringing Adams' drive back into the park. It was a remarkable play, but the way Almora went about it was fascinating to watch. Albert looked like a math geek doing a calculus problem.

While Almora may not replace Fowler's offense, his glove will help make up the difference. I also think he his offensive production will be decent. I look for him to hit .260-.270 with about 10-12 home runs. Throw in great base running instincts and gold glove defense and you have another young star.

Just when you think you're in, they pull you out

The New York Knicks are a bad team to start. In addition to that, they were depleted with Derrick Rose out for the season with a knee injury and Kristaps Porzingus sidelined with a bad back. Yet somehow, in the heat of a battle for a playoff slot, the Bulls managed to lose. The Bulls really are a hard team to root for.

Private dancer, no that's no what I mean

David Ross continues to impress on is stint on DWTS. If this keeps up, his dancing partner, Lindsay Arnold may want him for her personal dance partner on the show.

Let's end crime on golf courses!

And finally, I'm not a big golf fan, but this story caught my attention. Apparently Lexi Thompson lost a LPGA tournament when a TV viewer spotted an infraction and phoned it in to tournament officials. The resulting four stroke penalty cost Thompson the win. Golf fans must be the type of people you want in your neighborhood watch.

Can you imagine if other sports let viewers acted when fans called in infractions that officials missed ? You'd have stuff like, “Hey Roger, that left tackle was holding?” As I said before, I'm not a golf fan, but I think they might do well to do away with their crime fighter hot line.

More next time.