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And while the “It’s only preseason” defense has plenty of validity, it can’t be used as an end-all alibi either. That leaves Nagy and his staff to find proper perspective on what went down Saturday, looking for explanations for the team’s overall sloppiness, seeking quick corrections as the regular season closes in and, most importantly, needing to update their overview of their quarterback situation.
The Cubs have fielded some bad teams since moving into Wrigley Field in 1916, but only two of them — this one and the ‘94 version — have managed to lose 12 straight games there. This streak started on July 27, when Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Báez and Craig Kimbrel were still Cubs, and it has continued with newcomers such as Frank Schwindel and Michael Hermosillo in the lineup.
“You saw (shortstop Danny) Mendick diving all over the place, just missing,” La Russa said. “A couple of at-‘em balls, (one) off the bag and it’s a different game. It was tough out there. Sometimes you get those breaks, and today they did. As far as Dallas is concerned, his stuff is get the ball on the ground, and usually that’s successful.
Trubisky took the field to mostly light applause from the Soldier Field crowd, though some boos were mixed in. Midway through the second quarter, the crowd’s boos were for Bears starting quarterback Andy Dalton, who finished his two quarters 11-for-17 for 146 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Photos from the Chicago Bears’ preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on Aug. 21, 2021. (Stacey Wescott) Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Bill Lazor stands with former Bears and current Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) during warmups at Soldier Field on Aug. 21, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery warms up before the start of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on Aug. 21, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Former Chicago Bears and current Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitch Trubisky warms up at Soldier Field on Aug. 21, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields warms up before the start of a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field on Aug. 21, 2021. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Give Kim Jones credit. Working with Sal Licata, she was able to calmy and coolly cut through some of the Mayor of Panic City’s runaway rants and make her points. This set an entertaining dichotomy for their few days working together on WFAN. Licata riffed on Cohen, saying the owners’ tweet would play negatively in the clubhouse because prior tweets had “preached positivity.” Jones pushed back, saying Cohen found a “perfect way” to grab the Mets attention. The duo’s opposite styles produced compelling radio. … Carton-Chameleon: Depending on the moment, the man becomes a quick-change artist. Craig Carton’s three Thursday WFAN interviews with the commissioners — Rob Manfred, Gary Bettman, Adam Silver — featured insightful, pointed questions and a frills/shtick free give-and-take. Now, if Carton can only get Roger Goodell to agree to a one-on-one that would be lovely. Carton’s partner, Evan Roberts, was on vacation and did not participate in the soiree.
Cubs catcher Michael Barrett, right, punches White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski after Pierzynski plowed into Barrett at the plate in the second inning during their interleague game on May 20, 2006, at U.S. Cellular Field. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)
“But when I look back it, thinking about the potential Hall of Fame closer that he is, I sent him the wrong message. If it had worked out, I still send him a bad message. And that’s not what I think of him. He’s certainly a key part of what we have going forward. Win the game and try to prepare the damage to Craig.”
“He’s very competitive,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said of Hendriks. “He’s very realistic, he knows what he’s doing, so if he misses his pitch with his location, whether it’s the fastball or the breaking ball’s not working, he understands why. He also understands when you do that, when you do that job, you can make a mistake, and if the guy’s a good enough hitter, you pay for it. He’s got all the good qualities that you look for.”
Royals catcher Salvador Perez celebrates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field. It was Perez’s second homer of the game and 32nd of the season, helping the Royals win 6-2. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Getty Images)