Where to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 3 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Saturday, May 9
Don't miss Game 3 of the Thunder vs. Lakers on May 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET!
The Chicago Cubs are currently viewed as a dominant team in baseball, but fans remain cautious about potential weaknesses in the lineup and pitching staff. Concerns include player performance inconsistencies and the health of key pitchers.
Today’s Reflections
Here we are, on May 9th, and the Chicago Cubs have been christened by the media as the most stunning, powerful, dominant team in baseball!!! If they were talking to the Mets’ fanbase, or those from St. Louis, Atlanta, Texas, Tampa, etc., those fans would be on TOP OF THE WORLD!!1!!
But. Let’s be real. We’re Cub fans. WE know what’s going on. The media can paint all the pretty pictures it wants — WE know that while we have a fun (for now), aggressive (for now) mix of hitters and defenders that (can) dominate games, that can change in a flash. We see the small holes for now, like Dansby Swanson’s hitting, the occasional flub ups in LF that still makes Ian Happ most likely the best off-season free-agent outfielder, the goofy flub ups in RF by Seiya Suzuki who’s bat makes us forget all that (unless it’s in crucial situations), the unknown whether PCA is going to be half of the player we saw in the first half last year, the mistakes that Nico Hoerner …… AAAAAH, I can’t do it — he’s a modern-day god.
It’s mostly the pitching staff that’s not only held together by band aids and rubber bands — it’s more like titanium and cement. And I’m pretty sure it’s tough pitching with all that material on you. I just want to say two particular things — 1) I recently wrote that Shota and Colin Rea need to be so careful that they need someone to brush their teeth for them. I want the Cubs to do the same for Ethan Roberts (and everyone else, and, Ethan, don’t catch metal falling from the ceiling. 2) And I want them to go a little further with , the Cubs most consistent (best?) reliever that getting thrown to the wolves again as a starter. 1) Ben, don’t change anything that you’ve been doing. If that means you only go once through the order, fine. And 2) Cubs, wrap Ben in bubble wrap anyway. Just to be safe.
The Chicago Cubs are recognized for their aggressive mix of hitters and defenders, contributing to their dominant performance in games.
Fans are worried about inconsistencies in player performances, particularly in hitting and fielding, as well as the health of the pitching staff.
Ian Happ is viewed as the best off-season free-agent outfielder for the Cubs, despite some occasional flubs in left field.
Ben Brown is currently the Cubs' most consistent reliever, but there are concerns about him being used as a starter again.
Don't miss Game 3 of the Thunder vs. Lakers on May 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET!

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Steve Drumwright (North Side Baseball): Cubs Activate Ethan Roberts Off Injured List. “The right-hander missed more than two weeks while recovering from a finger laceration. Right-hander Gavin Hollowell shipped back to Iowa.”
Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): ‘This Week in Baseball’ is Loving on the Chicago Cubs. “It makes me happy to see that MLB has brought back a version of the program itself, and makes me even happier to see the Chicago Cubs featured so prominently this week.”
Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune): 3 numbers that stand out in the Chicago Cubs’ 9-game winning streak: ‘It’s pretty special’. “yes, all things considered, you look at where our record is and how we’ve gotten there, I think we’ve played well,” Jed Hoyer said “But we have five more months to go and we’ve got to keep doing it.”
Carson Wolf (Just Baseball): Ian Happ’s Endless Consistency Is Going To Get Him Paid. “Happ is setting himself up to be one of the top free agents on next winter’s market. Will the Cubs pay up to keep him in Chicago?”
Tyler O’Shea (Joker Mag): Riley Martin’s Road to the Big Leagues Began as a D2 Non-Prospect Already Enrolled in Pharmacy School ““I was thinking, I’m probably not gonna get drafted. This is probably my last season of baseball…I was like, ‘This is my last chance at it.’”“
Steve Greenspan (MLB.com): Deep, balanced lineup a winning formula for Cubs. “Do the Cubs have the best lineup in baseball?”
Ron Luce (SportsNetOnTap): Ben Brown’s Confidence Leads to New Chapter in 2026 as Starting Pitcher. “Ben Brown starts a new chapter in the 2026 season, getting the start in Texas as he builds back up into a starter for the Chicago Cubs.”
Gordon Edes (Chicago Sun-Times): Shota Imanaga, Cubs beat Reds 8-3 for 15th consecutive home victory. “This is what happens when the Cubs are off to their best start at Wrigley Field since 1923, nine years after its doors first opened for an outlaw team in an outlaw league that shortly went out of business.”
Mike McGraw (Daily Herald): Too soon? Cubs join elite company as home win streak hits 15. “Are the Cubs peaking too soon?”
Mike Wadleigh (Larry Brown Sports): Cubs accomplish rare feat not seen since 1955 Dodgers. “The Cubs now have two nine-game win streaks this season, making them the first team since the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers to have multiple nine-game win streaks in the first 38 games.”
Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Cubs strike trade with Athletics to address ailing pitching staff. “The team’s surprise acquisition of right-hander Tyler Ferguson from the Athletics Thursday afternoon gives a much better idea of the type of moves we can expect to see.”
Mike Axisa (CBS Sports): Reds’ Tyler Stephenson’s mental error vs. Cubs is latest example of lack of fundamentals across baseball. “ Five years after Javier Báez broke the Pirates’ brains running to first base, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson forgot to tag the Cubs’ runner coming home Thursday. He thought it was a force play. Nope. Stephenson had to apply the tag but just didn’t do it.“
Jackson Stone (MLB.com): Cubs haven’t had a Wrigley winning streak like this one in 91 years. “The North Siders cruised to an 8-3 win over the Reds at Wrigley Field …..to mark Chicago’s 15th consecutive win at home.”
Gordon Edes (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs pitcher Ben Brown will start Friday’s game against Rangers. “Craig Counsell said he has made a point of giving Brown multiple innings. He went 3 innings in each of his first two appearances this season”
Jared Bloom (Sporting News): Cubs’ Shota Imanaga finds his rookie form and a spot in the pitching power rankings “After a second-half swoon in ’25 and some offseason drama, Imanaga has carried the Cubs’ staff with a 2.40 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning through seven outings.”
Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): “Booth is Literally Shaking” Pete Crow-Armstrong Stuns Cincinnati Reds’ Announcer. “Before Michael Busch walked to load the bases, PCA had Wrigley rocking (Video, Reds announcers):
Ron Luce (SportsNetOnTap): Cubs Recall Gavin Hollowell, DFA Corbin Martin. “The Chicago Cubs designated Corbin Martin for assignment after a pair of rough outings and called up RHP Gavin Hollowell.“
Evan Shuster (Chicago Cubs on SI): Cubs Share That Matthew Boyd’s Return Timeline is Better Than Expected.“Matthew Boyd has seemingly dodged a more severe meniscus injury, according to Cubs GM Carter Hawkins.”
Food For Thought:
JT Coldfire (James Thomas Uvalle, 1980–2015) was a highly regarded Texas blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter known as a staple of the Austin music scene. Renowned for his raw, energetic “Texas roadhouse” style and prolific live performances, he released albums including Crazy Sun and Always & Never before his untimely passing.
He was a self-taught guitarist who started his career at age 11, playing professionally for over 15 years. His music was a blend of jump blues, Texas blues, and outlaw country, often compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Freddie King but with a unique, gritty vocal style. Often cited as one of the hardest-working musicians in Austin, he was known for long, intense live sets. He traveled extensively, playing from Texas to Europe.
“We live on such an incredible planet! Enjoy this travel guide featuring the most incredible places of our world. From the wildlife of Africa, to the enchanting landscapes of Europe, there’s something worth seeing in every corner of our world. This video is my favorite to date and is took many years of traveling and months of editing to make! I can’t wait to share it with you.
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