The Latest Breaking News from Cubs

By making his 22nd start Saturday, Smyly will increase his incentives package to $1.05 million, in addition to his $4.25 million base salary.

He has allowed two runs or fewer in seven consecutive starts and has pitched at least six innings in five consecutive starts — the longest stretch by a Cub since Yu Darvish (seven) from July 31 to Sept. 4, 2020.

CHICAGO — The Phillies’ Nick Maton stepped up to the plate with two outs in the second inning on Thursday. Jean Segura was on first base. Maton took one pitch, and then another, and then one more, which he tried to bunt, but pulled his bat back.

For those who still don’t accept Kasper’s rationale for leaving Cubs TV for White Sox radio nearly two years ago, consider what happened in baseball broadcasting last week.

CHICAGO — In the top of the third inning on Wednesday night, Kyle Schwarber took off from second base to third base, setting himself up to score on a sacrifice fly. He jokingly tipped his cap to the dugout, and touched home plate when Bryce Harper popped up to left…

Wesneski held the Phillies to one run in five-plus innings.

Suzuki was on a hot streak when he went on the paternity list. Now, he’s back.

No other team has hit its fan base over the head with a mallet on such a regular basis.

CHICAGO — Just like the Phillies don’t have much room for error in their postseason chase, they didn’t have much room for error on Tuesday night. Starter Marcus Stroman, who has pitched well against them in his career, was on the mound for the Cubs. Starter Zack Wheeler and the…