Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins spoke to media members on Friday and gave updates and timetables for the return of two key players.

The Cubs will go for four straight wins overall and a series win over the Red Sox Saturday evening at Wrigley Field. Shōta Imanaga will start for the Cubs and Brayan Bello goes for Boston. Game time is 6:15 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Fox-TV (regional — coverage map).

Cubs get off to sharp start in second half as All-Star snub Seiya Suzuki delivers 3-run home run against Red Sox

With rookie Matt Shaw struggling offensively, might Jed Hoyer be adding a third baseman to his midsummer shopping list?

CHICAGO — A look at the playoff odds should instill confidence for the Chicago Cubs and their fans. According to Baseball Reference, the Cubs entered Friday with a 98.6 percent chance of making the postseason. FanGraphs had them at 93.7 percent. And this was before Friday’s 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.

With the Braves out of contention and the Cubs making a push toward the World Series, this hypothetical trade proposal between the two teams makes perfect sense.

The Chicago Cubs signed free agent veteran right-hander Spencer Turnbull to a minor-league contract, the New York Post reported Friday.

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In this week's "Polling Place," we also asked which Bears tight end will be better this season, Cole Kmet or Colston Loveland.