After back-to-back losses to the Chicago Cubs to open the second half, the Red Sox were very much in danger of another sweep. Fortunately, Alex Bregman is on the team now. Bregman

Shota Imanaga tossed seven shutout innings and five players hit solo home runs Saturday, carrying the Chicago Cubs to a 6-0 win over the Boston Red Sox.

Wilyer Abreu homered twice and drove in three runs, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago Cubs 6-1 to avoid a series sweep.

Wilyer Abreu hit a pair of home runs and Garrett Crochet threw six quality innings to help the visiting Boston Red Sox earn a 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Cheerful and carefree is simply not how Counsell rolls. That focused attitude will influence how the Cubs approach the July 31 trade deadline. The contrarian manager is an extension of Jed Hoyer’s front office, which obsesses over depth and knows from experience that things can quickly go sideways.

The rookie was excellent Sunday, showing he can be part of the Cubs' starting-pitching answer as the team eyes October. But North Side relievers allowed three late home runs in a loss to the Red Sox.

CHICAGO — Midway through Jed Hoyer’s latest Ted Talk on the July 31 trade deadline, the thought occurred that maybe the Chicago Cubs president should throw his phone into Lake Michigan and sit this one out.

Though Breslow was criticized by many for the trade, one former colleague has been impressed with what he has done so far.

With Kyle Tucker months away from free agency, the Chicago Cubs are facing their most important trade deadline in years, and president Jed Hoyer seems to fully understand the urgency of the moment.