Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 10-round results, post-NFL Draft
Check out the results of the 2026 Fantasy Football mock draft!
Nico Hoerner's defensive skills are drawing comparisons to Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg, as he continues to impress fans with his play and smile. His growing popularity is being recognized across baseball.
Mentioned in this story
Today’s Reflections
“Nico Hoerner conjures images of Ryne Sandberg”.
My wife is (not really) tired of me nudging her, pointing and saying to her, “There’s Nico, doing it again.” I honestly thought I was stretching the truth within my mind, wishing it was really happening. Even after seeing it so many times, especially over the last 281 days.
To have a name, now increasingly more popular as the days go by, connected to that of Ryne Sandberg, to the defensive play he became known for, was not something that I expected the world to acknowledge as well. One thing Nico does that Ryno rarely every let himself do — smile after an amazing play. Nico’s now smiling ear to ear, from Los Angeles to Chicago, and it will continue beyond this locale. Nico, you’re not the only one smiling now.
Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times {$}): Nico Hoerner conjures images of Ryne Sandberg with ‘incredible’ double play. ““I saw the ball go up, and I was, like, ‘Nobody’s gonna get it,’ ” catcher Carson Kelly said. “And then Nico bolted over there and got it. That was incredible.”“
Thomas Domol (North Side Baseball) Consistent Play Has North Siders Atop Division. “Sporting a 15-3 record in their last 18 contests, the North Siders are established as one of the best teams in baseball. The club scratched out wins in just about every imaginable fashion, but with an upcoming slate littered with division rivals, what they do next will really set the tone.”
Nico Hoerner is being compared to Ryne Sandberg due to his impressive defensive skills and ability to connect with fans through his joyful demeanor.
Hoerner has consistently showcased his defensive prowess over the last 281 days, impressing fans and analysts alike.
Hoerner's performance is boosting team morale and drawing increased attention to the Cubs, enhancing his popularity among fans.
Hoerner is gaining recognition from fans and analysts across Major League Baseball, from Los Angeles to Chicago.
Check out the results of the 2026 Fantasy Football mock draft!
Red Sox's 2026 season woes linked to missing veteran leadership and coaching changes.
Disagreement between Cora and Breslow on Red Sox players' positions during spring training.

Lewis Hamilton hints at a new strategy for the next F1 race after a tough Miami GP.
Trade options for Colts' Anthony Richardson are dwindling as he remains with the team.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Nick Halden (Da Windy City): Cubs frustration grows as Dansby Swanson offensive struggles continue. “Chicago remains a contender, but its shortstop has yet to meet expectations at the plate”
Elias Shuster (Chicago Cubs on SI): Cubs Need to Jump at the Chance to Bring Back Fan Favorite Andrew Chafin. “Andrew Chafin is looking for a new home after choosing to leave the Reds, and the Cubs’ bullpen needs all the help it can get. …..” “The sky has opened up over Wrigley Field, and a big beautiful shining mustache has appeared.”
Connor Liguori (Sporting News): MLB insider links Mets’ ‘prime trade chip’ to Cubs, Braves. “The New York Mets still have at least a month or two to make one of the biggest decisions of the season. Do they buy or sell at the trade deadline, or just stand pat? With the way things are going, they will likely be in sell mode, something totally unexpected heading into 2026.“
Jake Meisener (Cubbies Crib): Disastrous start to the year could make the Red Sox a perfect Cubs trade partner. “The ship is sinking in Boston and Craig Breslow’s team looks like a seller.”
Ryan Herrera (Just Baseball): Shota Imanaga Keeps Putting Tough End To ‘25 Behind Him. “Last year’s second half didn’t go the way Shota Imanaga wanted it to. This year, he’s looked more like the 2024 version of himself.”
Gabe Lacques (USA Today): MLB power rankings: Rampaging Cubs finally look like NL Central bullies. “The National League Central has been baseball’s best division, a fact that seems straight out of the upside down. ”
Jared Wyllys (AllChgo,com): Cubs firing on all cylinders, going 15-3 since mid-April. “The Cubs’ record since April 14 is the best in the majors, and it’s propelled them from a game below .500 and in last place in their division to ten games above .500 and two games ahead in the National League Central.”
Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs Claim LHP Luis Peralta off Waivers from Cardinals. “In their unending quest for emergency pitching depth, the Cubs have claimed left-handed reliever Luis Peralta off waivers from the Cardinals. There was an open spot on the Cubs’ 40-man after Yacksel Ríos was DFA’d earlier in the day.”
Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times {$}): Ben Brown might’ve found his sweet spot on Cubs’ pitching staff — in bullpen. “Brown’s ERA has plummeted from 5.40 after his first appearance March 26 to 1.82. He hasn’t allowed an earned run since April 8.”
Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): From red-hot to ice-cold: Pair of former Cubs prospects have hit a wall of late. “Strikeouts are a major problem for Owen Caissie and Cam Smith.”
Andres Chavez (North Side Baseball): Chicago Cubs Hitters Of The Month: April 2026. “The Chicago Cubs had one of the league’s best offenses in April, with three hitters standing out above their peers.”
Dan Fappiano (ClutchPoints): Cubs get closer back with Danny Palencia IL move. “As the Cubs close out their series against the Diamondbacks, closer Danny Palencia is ready to make his return.”
Matt Sullivan (Sporting News): Alex Bregman made best decision of offseason to join Cubs instead of Red Sox. “Bregman made the right call to leave the Red Sox and join the Cubs this past offseason. There might not be a better decision in baseball from any team or player, as Bregman avoided disaster and is on a World Series-caliber team as well.”
Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune {$}): How did the Chicago Cubs let Kyle Hendricks join the Detroit Tigers front office? “The Tigers are led by two former Cubs execs — President Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg — so there is a history that led to the reunion. Still, you’d think Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts would do whatever was possible to get Hendricks back in Chicago, working under President Jed Hoyer.”
Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Dansby Swanson’s defense is the constant the Cubs can always rely on. ““Defense is another way to win games,” Swanson said. “I had a lot of opportunities out there today, might set a record for me or something like that (today). It’s a lot of fun.”“
“Every page these days has some form of advertising. {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.“
Food For Thought:
It’s been said that you don’t seek out the blues – it seeks out you. For guitar virtuoso Albert Cummings, no words could ring more true. Cummings’ masterful guitar wizardry has drawn comparisons to iconic axe legends Albert King, Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix and even his own musical inspiration, Stevie Ray Vaughan. He has graced the stage with such esteemed luminaries as Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Susan Tedeschi, Sheryl Crow, and B.B. King, who called Cummings “a great guitarist.”
With mesmerizing extended guitar jams, Cummings’ Fender Strat sings while he takes you on a twisting, turning blues roller coaster. Featuring a tight, pristine tone and strong vocals to match, the seasoned entertainer has incorporated the influence of his musical idols while maintaining a distinct, genre-bending style and sound all his own. With six studio albums and two live records, Albert Cummings is back and better than ever.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.