Vinnie Duber
@vinnieduber.bsky.social
Sportswriter. Rock n roller.
Cubs win the regular-season finale, beat Cards 2-0. They finish at 92-70. Seiya Suzuki homered for the fifth time in the last four games and ends with 32 dingers. Playoffs start Tuesday, with Game 1 of a best-of-three series against the Padres. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Cubs win the regular-season finale, beat Cards 2-0. They finish at 92-70. Seiya Suzuki homered for the fifth time in the last four games and ends with 32 dingers. Playoffs start Tuesday, with Game 1 of a best-of-three series against the Padres. @chicago.suntimes.com
Cade Horton tried. The Cubs tried. But after the rookie righty threw on the outfield grass Saturday, it was clear to them that the team would be without its best starter for the wild-card round and beyond.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Cade Horton lands on injured list with fractured rib, out for Cubs’ wild-card playoff series
After the Cubs spent a few days "moving forward" with Horton, they made the surprise move before their game Saturday against the Cardinals. It throws a wrench into their postseason planning.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Cade Horton tried. The Cubs tried. But after the rookie righty threw on the outfield grass Saturday, it was clear to them that the team would be without its best starter for the wild-card round and beyond.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Cubs beat Cards 7-3, securing home-field advantage for next week's wild-card series vs. Padres. Michael Busch with monster day: two homers, triple, double, four RBIs, two runs scored. Seiya Suzuki homered for fourth time in three days. PCA homered again. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Cubs beat Cards 7-3, securing home-field advantage for next week's wild-card series vs. Padres. Michael Busch with monster day: two homers, triple, double, four RBIs, two runs scored. Seiya Suzuki homered for fourth time in three days. PCA homered again. @chicago.suntimes.com
Cade Horton heads to the IL, throwing a wrench into the Cubs' postseason pitching planning.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Cade Horton lands on injured list with rib fracture, knocked out for Cubs’ wild-card playoff series
After the Cubs spent a few days "moving forward" with Horton, they made the surprise move before Saturday's game, throwing a wrench into their postseason planning.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Cade Horton heads to the IL, throwing a wrench into the Cubs' postseason pitching planning.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Cade Horton goes on the 15-day injured list with rib fracture. Placement retroactive to Sept. 25 (Thursday), will keep him out of next week's wild-card series. Looks like first playoff game he'd be available to pitch would be NLDS Game 5, if necessary, Oct. 11. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Cade Horton goes on the 15-day injured list with rib fracture. Placement retroactive to Sept. 25 (Thursday), will keep him out of next week's wild-card series. Looks like first playoff game he'd be available to pitch would be NLDS Game 5, if necessary, Oct. 11. @chicago.suntimes.com
Jed Hoyer called Kyle Tucker the Cubs' "best hitter" upon his return to the lineup. But is there enough time to get Tucker back in the swing of things before the playoffs start Tuesday?
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Kyle Tucker returns to Cubs’ lineup, but time short to get their ‘best hitter’ in playoff shape
Tucker made a successful and long-awaited return to the lineup Friday. But will he be able to get back into the swing of things in time to be an impact bat in the postseason?
chicago.suntimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Jed Hoyer called Kyle Tucker the Cubs' "best hitter" upon his return to the lineup. But is there enough time to get Tucker back in the swing of things before the playoffs start Tuesday?
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Tucker returned, Suzuki slammed, PCA joined the 30-30 club. Yesterday was a big day for the North Side bats. Are the Cubs coming out of their second-half offensive cooldown at exactly the right time?
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Seiya Suzuki slams, Pete Crow-Armstrong goes 30-30: With playoffs close, is Cubs’ offense back?
The Cubs scored 12 runs in a rout of the Cardinals, showing the offensive firepower that fueled their success before the All-Star break.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Tucker returned, Suzuki slammed, PCA joined the 30-30 club. Yesterday was a big day for the North Side bats. Are the Cubs coming out of their second-half offensive cooldown at exactly the right time?
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Cubs rout Cards 12-1 to start regular season's final series. PCA homers, second Cub (Sosa) in 30-30 club. Suzuki hits grand slam, is third Japanese-born player ever to hit 30 homers in a season. Hoerner, Busch also homer. Tucker returns. Cubs offense back? @chicago.suntimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Cubs rout Cards 12-1 to start regular season's final series. PCA homers, second Cub (Sosa) in 30-30 club. Suzuki hits grand slam, is third Japanese-born player ever to hit 30 homers in a season. Hoerner, Busch also homer. Tucker returns. Cubs offense back? @chicago.suntimes.com
Sox lose to Padres 3-2 in the home finale at Rate Field. Sox hitters drew nine walks but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, scoring their two runs on bases-loaded walks. Sox lose the series and are two losses away from 100 with six games left. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Sox lose to Padres 3-2 in the home finale at Rate Field. Sox hitters drew nine walks but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, scoring their two runs on bases-loaded walks. Sox lose the series and are two losses away from 100 with six games left. @chicago.suntimes.com
With his "idol" and "role model" José Abreu in the house this weekend, Miguel Vargas looked the part of a member of the Sox' core and the next step in the franchise's Cuban legacy that dates back to Minnie Miñoso.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
With ‘role model’ Jose Abreu in the house, Miguel Vargas taking baton in White Sox’ Cuban legacy
Vargas has carved out a spot for himself in the budding core of Sox position players, setting him up to be the next link in a chain of Cuban-born South Siders stretching back to Minnie Minoso.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
With his "idol" and "role model" José Abreu in the house this weekend, Miguel Vargas looked the part of a member of the Sox' core and the next step in the franchise's Cuban legacy that dates back to Minnie Miñoso.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Sox lose to Padres 7-3. RBI doubles from Miguel Vargas and Kyle Teel made for a small lead early, but Yoendrys Gomez and Fraser Ellard combined to cough up four runs in the sixth and that did it. Lenyn Sosa's ninth-inning homer too little, too late. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Sox lose to Padres 7-3. RBI doubles from Miguel Vargas and Kyle Teel made for a small lead early, but Yoendrys Gomez and Fraser Ellard combined to cough up four runs in the sixth and that did it. Lenyn Sosa's ninth-inning homer too little, too late. @chicago.suntimes.com
Grant Taylor: Sox' closer of the future?
He looked real good in the ninth last night. The team has a lot of thinking planned for this winter when it comes to his role for 2026.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
He looked real good in the ninth last night. The team has a lot of thinking planned for this winter when it comes to his role for 2026.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Closer of the future? Grant Taylor shines in ninth, but White Sox to mull his role this offseason
Taylor, the Sox' second-round pick in 2023, has looked dynamite in his last two outings. While the team says he's got what it takes to close, there's a decision that needs to be made about what role h...
chicago.suntimes.com
September 21, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Grant Taylor: Sox' closer of the future?
He looked real good in the ninth last night. The team has a lot of thinking planned for this winter when it comes to his role for 2026.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
He looked real good in the ninth last night. The team has a lot of thinking planned for this winter when it comes to his role for 2026.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
José Abreu returned to Rate Field last night and got the ovation he avoided in his last game with the Sox in 2022. But finality wasn't on Abreu's mind, the franchise icon coy about his present and future.
"This is not done yet."
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
"This is not done yet."
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Jose Abreu gets overdue ovation in South Side return, though White Sox icon not here to call it quits
A franchise icon for his individual accomplishments and role on a pair of rare playoff teams, Abreu returned to the South Side on Friday but was noticeably coy about his present and future.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 9:22 PM
José Abreu returned to Rate Field last night and got the ovation he avoided in his last game with the Sox in 2022. But finality wasn't on Abreu's mind, the franchise icon coy about his present and future.
"This is not done yet."
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
"This is not done yet."
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Sox snap their six-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Padres. They scored four off former Sox ace Dylan Cease, including two on a Miguel Vargas homer in the first and two more after Cease hit back-to-back batters in the fourth. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Sox snap their six-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Padres. They scored four off former Sox ace Dylan Cease, including two on a Miguel Vargas homer in the first and two more after Cease hit back-to-back batters in the fourth. @chicago.suntimes.com
Hagen Smith was excellent in last night's playoff win for Double-A Birmingham.
When's he going to be doing that kind of thing on the South Side? A look at Smith and other top Sox prospects and their proximity to the big leagues, for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
When's he going to be doing that kind of thing on the South Side? A look at Smith and other top Sox prospects and their proximity to the big leagues, for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Hagen Smith throws playoff gem: How close are White Sox’ top prospects to making major league impact?
Smith, one of the Sox' higher rated prospects, struck out 10 in five no-hit innings during Double-A Birmingham's postseason win Thursday, conjuring visions of what he and other minor leaguers could on...
chicago.suntimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Hagen Smith was excellent in last night's playoff win for Double-A Birmingham.
When's he going to be doing that kind of thing on the South Side? A look at Smith and other top Sox prospects and their proximity to the big leagues, for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
When's he going to be doing that kind of thing on the South Side? A look at Smith and other top Sox prospects and their proximity to the big leagues, for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Martín Pérez lands on the injured list with a strained shoulder, ending his season with only nine games left.
Could he be back with Sox in 2026? Wrote about it the other day for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Could he be back with Sox in 2026? Wrote about it the other day for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Back for 2026? Martin Perez exits with injury, but White Sox high on veteran’s presence on young team
Perez departed his start Wednesday with a sore shoulder, hoping to avoid worse ailments and set himself up to return in 2026. Will that return come with the Sox? They like the idea.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Martín Pérez lands on the injured list with a strained shoulder, ending his season with only nine games left.
Could he be back with Sox in 2026? Wrote about it the other day for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Could he be back with Sox in 2026? Wrote about it the other day for the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Sox swept by Orioles with 3-1 loss. Losing streak at six. Mike Tauchman's solo homer the lone offense. Martín Pérez left early with a sore shoulder. They need at least six wins in final nine games to avoid third straight 100-loss season. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Sox swept by Orioles with 3-1 loss. Losing streak at six. Mike Tauchman's solo homer the lone offense. Martín Pérez left early with a sore shoulder. They need at least six wins in final nine games to avoid third straight 100-loss season. @chicago.suntimes.com
What kind of winter will it be for the Sox?
Once more, it seems to be shaping up as an offseason prioritizing the growth of players already with the organization rather than big free-agent additions.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Once more, it seems to be shaping up as an offseason prioritizing the growth of players already with the organization rather than big free-agent additions.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
White Sox’ offseason shaping up to once more focus on rebuilding rather than big free-agent spending
General manager Chris Getz said the team will prioritize improvement from players who already part of the organization as the Sox' rebuild rolls on this winter.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 7:02 PM
What kind of winter will it be for the Sox?
Once more, it seems to be shaping up as an offseason prioritizing the growth of players already with the organization rather than big free-agent additions.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Once more, it seems to be shaping up as an offseason prioritizing the growth of players already with the organization rather than big free-agent additions.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Sox lose to Orioles 8-7. Shane Smith matched a season high with six runs allowed, helping create a six-run deficit that not even a five-run eighth could overcome. Kyle Teel homered, and Chase Meidroth is on a 12-game hit streak. But Sox have lost five straight. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Sox lose to Orioles 8-7. Shane Smith matched a season high with six runs allowed, helping create a six-run deficit that not even a five-run eighth could overcome. Kyle Teel homered, and Chase Meidroth is on a 12-game hit streak. But Sox have lost five straight. @chicago.suntimes.com
What's next for Noah Schultz? The Sox are looking ahead to spring training 2026 when it comes to their top pitching prospect.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
What’s next for Noah Schultz? White Sox looking ahead to 2026 spring training with top pitching prospect
After being shut down for the season, the Sox are looking ahead to next spring as they chart the future of their top-ranked pitching prospect.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
What's next for Noah Schultz? The Sox are looking ahead to spring training 2026 when it comes to their top pitching prospect.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Sox drop series-opener with Orioles 4-1. Tyler Alexander allowed a tie-breaking three-run homer in the sixth inning. Sox' pitchers walked six batters. Sox' bats struck out 15 times and mustered only four hits, just one after the second inning. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Sox drop series-opener with Orioles 4-1. Tyler Alexander allowed a tie-breaking three-run homer in the sixth inning. Sox' pitchers walked six batters. Sox' bats struck out 15 times and mustered only four hits, just one after the second inning. @chicago.suntimes.com
These are the final days of another losing season on the South Side. As fans patiently wait for a winner, Sox brass sees rebuilding progress, not to mention something meaningful in the last dozen games.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
At end of another losing season, White Sox see final games as meaningful to rebuilding progress
The highest drama over the final two weeks will be whether the Sox lose 100 games for the third straight season. But team brass sees progress, if mostly intangible, that points toward a brighter South...
chicago.suntimes.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:52 PM
These are the final days of another losing season on the South Side. As fans patiently wait for a winner, Sox brass sees rebuilding progress, not to mention something meaningful in the last dozen games.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/20...
Cubs score a 4-3 comeback win over the Rays to take the weekend series. Shota Imanaga gave up back-to-back homers to start the game. Ian Happ homered in the sixth, and Nico Hoerner flipped the game with a two-out, two-run double in the seventh. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 14, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Cubs score a 4-3 comeback win over the Rays to take the weekend series. Shota Imanaga gave up back-to-back homers to start the game. Ian Happ homered in the sixth, and Nico Hoerner flipped the game with a two-out, two-run double in the seventh. @chicago.suntimes.com
Cubs lose to Rays 5-4. An afternoon party celebrating Anthony Rizzo's retirement ends on a sour note for Cubs fans, who watched Porter Hodge allow a game-tying homer in the eighth and Brad Keller give up a game-winning homer in the ninth. @chicago.suntimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Cubs lose to Rays 5-4. An afternoon party celebrating Anthony Rizzo's retirement ends on a sour note for Cubs fans, who watched Porter Hodge allow a game-tying homer in the eighth and Brad Keller give up a game-winning homer in the ninth. @chicago.suntimes.com
"It's all hands on deck" for the Cubs' bullpen in the wake of Daniel Palencia's injury.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
Cubs say they’re not turning to one specific closer in Daniel Palencia’s absence: ‘It’s all hands on deck’
The Cubs' bullpen thrived for a second straight game, with four relievers retiring all 12 batters they faced as they continue to venture forward without injured closer Daniel Palencia.
chicago.suntimes.com
September 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
"It's all hands on deck" for the Cubs' bullpen in the wake of Daniel Palencia's injury.
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...
For the @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2025/09...