The Rundown: Cubs Enter May Just Outside First, Ballesteros Snubbed by Baseball Execs, Schwarber Reaches HR Milestone

“She doesn’t know her name. She doesn’t know her face.” — Lady Picture Show by Stone Temple Pilots

My morning and weekend are jam-packed, so please don’t confuse a truncated version of this daily with disinterest. I can see why you might think that because the Cubs are playing the Diamondbacks, so I’ll forgive you. I’m not sure why, but Chicago-Arizona tilts don’t do much in the way of inspiration or creativity. Craig Counsell may think differently since he was once a valued member of the organization with which he became a card-carrying MLB champion.

From my seat, however, the D-backs feel like a perpetual Cactus League team. Arizona has served as a career pitstop for some of the game’s best players, but when you think of them, what player immediately comes to mind? Randy Johnson, baseball’s most successful journeyman outside Nolan Ryan, is my choice. But that’s really it. And their uniforms aren’t much to look at. Still, Arizona has always been a pesky thorn in the side of some of the better Cubs teams. They do get the best out of players who aren’t widely known by casual fans.

The Cubs enter play today a game out of first place in the NL Central, and the Diamondbacks traversed the Cheddar Curtain to get to Chicago today after a 13-1 shellacking in Milwaukee. The Brewers pounded Michael Soroka — Arizona’s best starter until last night– to the tune of eight runs and 10 hits in three innings. Milwaukee scored 28 runs in the three-game set and still lost one of the games. Cubs hitters should be licking their chops once they get to Wrigley Field.

Colin Rea takes the bump today, and he’ll face Zac Gallen. You might remember it was reported Gallen was signing with the Cubs a few months ago (for all of nine minutes) until his fiancée (now wife) allegedly had some type of resistance to moving to Chicago. If you see her at the game today, please tell her I said hello. If possible, dress like Pennywise in a Cubs hat.

Cubs News & Notes

• Ian Happ is helping the Cubs in their war of attrition with opposing pitchers.
• Ben Brown has been outpitching stud closer Mason Miller over the past two weeks. I’d still prefer Miller pitching for the Cubs.
• Shōta Imanaga is doing more than ever to ensure he and his teammates share a common language.
• Moisés Ballesteros did not make this list of most impressive rookies. Rival executives were polled, so put that up in your locker, son, and do work.
• The Cubs would play the Padres in the Wild Card round if the season ended today.
• Jaxon Wiggins is still considered Chicago’s top prospect, but nobody has more momentum than Pedro Ramírez.

Ball Four

Comparing Kyle Schwarber to Babe Ruth is insane, but I love it. Schwarber has a shot at 600 career home runs, but 714 might be a reach.

Babe Ruth hit 348 HRs in his first 1,321 MLB games.
Kyle Schwarber hit 350 HRs in his first 1,321 MLB games. pic.twitter.com/HcmfTUhdR6

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 30, 2026

Central Intelligence

• Cincinnati (20-11): The Reds enter May holding on to first place, something they haven’t done since 2006.
• Chicago (19-12): The Cubs are overpowering their opponents and they’ve still yet to hit their stride.
• St. Louis (18-13): There aren’t many teams that have Paul Skenes‘ number, but the Cardinals are one of them. St. Louis swept the Pirates, continuing their surprising start.
• Milwaukee (16-14): The Brewers removed Brandon Woodruff from yesterday’s game over concerns with decreased velocity. Woodruff was sent immediately for an MRI, and the organization will have the results today.
• Pittsburgh (16-16): Great seer and weather prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil (kind of) threw the ceremonial first pitch before yesterday’s game. The Pirates are in last place again, so the Groundhog Day comparisons are legitimate.

How About That!

Since 1996, 88 of 174 eventual division champions held at least a share of their division lead entering May 1. That’s 51% of division winners. Last season, two of the six division winners had a share of that lead on May 1. The Cubs were one of those teams.

Albert Pujols said that Trevor Bauer belongs in the major leagues, but not until he apologizes.

Ex-Red Sox manager Alex Cora took the high road after being fired by Craig Breslow.

Adley Rutschman and Jeremiah Jackson each clubbed a grand slam in the Orioles’ 10-3 win over the Astros.

Extra Innings

Pete Crow-Armstrong catches everything.

Fernando Tatis Jr. won the NL Platinum Glove (fan vote) last season with 8 OAA and 15 DRS.

Pete Crow-Armstrong has 8 OAA and 9 DRS in 30 games this season. pic.twitter.com/tNrTmBKHw2

— The WARmonger (@TheWARmonger_) April 29, 2026

They Said It

• “We know where we are as a team with the injuries and some of the adversity we faced early this year. Counsell’s big message was: ‘Just embrace it, man.’ You appreciate this game more when you have to go through some of those struggles early. It brings the team together.” – Tommy Hottovy
• “All the guys in this room have all the respect in the world for [Counsell], and love going out there and competing with him every single day.” – Alex Bregman

Friday Walk-Up Song

I can’t wait for warmer weather. It was 33 degrees this morning when I dropped the kids off at school, and we have a freeze warning for tonight.