CHGO Digest: It's Caleb week, Cubs making change at closer and White Sox swept again

Happy NFL Draft week, friends!

It’s officially Caleb Williams Week in Chicago and a new era of Bears football is only days away. But it’s the No. 9 overall selection that’s getting all of the attention closer to the draft. Wide receiver, offensive tackle, edge rusher, or trade?

In Wrigleyville, the Cubs split a four-game series with the Marlins behind Nico Hoerner’s resurgence at the plate. But questions loom in the bullpen and the starting rotation.

Cubs struggle with Marlins, changing closers

Craig Counsell is making an early-season adjustment to the backend of the Cubs’ bullpen, removing Adbert Alzolay from the closer’s role following four blown saves in seven opportunities to start the year.

• Opponents have tallied four homers off of the second-year closer in 10.0 IP this season after he allowed just five in 64.0 IP in 2023.
• Counsell said the move is to “give Adbert some confidence” after the shaky start and added that he could earn the spot back.
• The Cubs split the four-game series with the Marlins after dropping Sunday’s finale, 6-3. Kyle Hendricks looked his best this season but still allowed four runs in 4.0 IP.

📖 READ | CHGO’s Jared Wyllys broke down the impact of Kyle Hendricks’ struggles to begin the season.

🔎 GO DEEPER | Become a Diehard to get Ryan Herrera’s CHGO Cubs Weekly newsletter every Monday.

⚾ NEXT | Cubs vs. Astros – Tuesday, 6:40 on Marquee Sports Network

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White Sox swept, nearly no-hit twice

A trip to Philadelphia over the weekend yielded no wins for the White Sox, whose 3-18 record is the worst in Major League Baseball. The offense remained anemic, needing Gavin Sheets to spoil Spencer Turnbull’s no-hitter in the seventh inning on Friday. Korey Lee played hero on Saturday, breaking up Zach Wheeler’s bid for history in the eighth inning.

• Friday’s loss was Garrett Crochet’s shortest outing as a starter. The left-hander completed just 3.0 IP, allowing seven earned on three home runs.
• Eloy Jimenez homered on Sunday — his first longball since returning from the 10-day IL last Monday.
• The team’s 45 runs scored ranks last in the majors, and the club is the only team to have been shut out at least once in every series this season.

📺 WATCH | The CHGO White Sox crew recapped the disappointing sweep and looked ahead to this week’s four-game series in Minnesota.

🔎 GO DEEPER | Become a Diehard to get Vinnie Duber’s CHGO White Sox Weekly newsletter every Monday.

⚾ TONIGHT | White Sox at Twins – 6:40 on NBC Sports Chicago

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Get Your Draft Party Tickets! – Limited Friday Tickets Remain!

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Roundup: Bulls, Blackhawks speak following the end of their seasons

• Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas met with the media on Saturday following the team’s season-ending loss to the Miami Heat in the Play-In on Friday. Karnisovas took responsibility for the season’s failures while vowing to eventually bring glory back to the franchise.
  
• Connor Bedard said he plans to add speed to his game in the offseason following his rookie campaign. The Blackhawks’ phenom led all NHL rookies in goals, assists, and points. He’ll get some more help in this summer’s NHL Draft, where his team owns the second-best odds in the NHL Draft.

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Take the North, never give it back

Vikings fan is tagged and bagged. ✅️ pic.twitter.com/Abwz5dMfZ1

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) April 19, 2024

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More on CHGO

• The CHGO Blackhawks crew wrapped up the season and discussed comments from the players and GM Kyle Davidson.
  
• Get ready for the NFL Draft with Nicholas Moreano’s in-depth look at the draft’s top edge rushers.
  
• We just hit 20,o00 followers on Instagram and are giving away t-shirts to celebrate!

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Welcome to the CHGO Digest, which you’ll find in your inbox every Monday and Thursday morning. My name is Patrick Norton. I am a lifelong Chicago sports fan from Glen Ellyn. You’ll see me throughout the summer hanging out in the bleachers at Wrigley Field with the Friday 1:20 Club. Come say hi!

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