Newest Cub contributes to win and the White Sox already have an ace

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Give the Cubs credit.  They need a starter and they go out and get Cole Hamels.  They need a hitter and they get Daniel Murphy.  Murphy was in the Cubs lineup Tuesday night in their 8-2 win over the Detroit Tigers.  Daniel went 2-5 with an RBI.  The Cubs were down 1-0 going into the fifth inning.  David Bote got the Cubs offense started with a two-run homer to left.  Daniel Murphy added an RBI single.   Willson Contreras added an RBI on and infield single in the sixth.

More dingers

The score was 4-2 going into the ninth when the Cubs broke out the home run ball again.  Anthony Rizzo added a solo, opposite field homer before Javy Baez administered the backbreaker, a three-run homer.  That was nice to see.

Jon Lester does his thing

Jon Lester once again had an excellent start, going 5.2 innings, allowing one run on seven hits and only one walk.  I feel better about Jon again.  It would be nice to see Kris Bryant return.  If an when he does, the inconsistent Cubs offense looks very potent.

It getting to be a habit, and I like it

After the hoopla of Michael Kopech’s debut, White Sox fans got to see current ace, Carlos Rodon in action.  Rodon had another effective outing, going six innings and allowing only two runs in the Sox 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins.  Rodon picked up the win, lifting his record to 5-3.  He also lowered his ERA to 2.71.  The Sox bullpen was solid, pitching three innings of one run ball.  Juan Minaya pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, lowering his ERA to 3.90 while Hector Santiago closed things out.

Could some of the Sox young guys actually be getting better?

The Sox offense was jump started by the long ball.  Tim Anderson, Nicky Delmonico and Adam Engel all had solo home runs.  Delmonico has really picked up his production.  It makes you wonder what his year would have been like if his year had been injury free.  Adam Engel has raised his average to .229.  It’s not much, but he’s gradually improving his offense.  Tim Anderson home run was his 17th.  Anderson has shown genuine improvement this season.  If Anderson continues to grow in stature as a player, the Sox will accelerate their development as a team.

That's still not the highest of praise

The Sox have won five out of their last seven.  Of course the completion has been pretty weak.  I could easily see the Sox as the second best team in the AL Central.

Roquan is fitting right in

Bears prize rookie linebacker, Roquan Smith, left practice Tuesday with hamstring tightness.  It nice to see Smith, despite a contract holdout, get to the same level of injury of many of the Bears vets.  Welcome to the Bears, Roquan.