Sports newsletter

Sports

Monday, August 31, 2026

Good morning, Chicago.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled celebration of the Cubs' past to remind you there's an extremely tight wild-card race developing in the National League.

After Saturday's celebration of the 150th anniversary, and Sunday's induction of Jon Lester, Jody Davis and radio voice Vince Lloyd into the team's Hall of Fame, the Cubs' 7-5 loss left them tied with the Phillies for the top NL wild-card spot.

Cubs fans celebrate a 17-5 Cubs win over the Reds at Wrigley Field on Aug. 29, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Catching the first-place Brewers seems unlikely unless the Cubs take their final two series, including a four-game set that begins Monday at Wrigley Field. An eight-game lead with 25 games left is a virtual lock for Brewers manager Pat Murphy and his wrecking crew, as even optimistic Cubs fans understand.

Perhaps it's in everyone's best interest to focus on fending off the Phillies and avoiding the potential nightmare scenario of being ousted in Citizens Bank Ballpark on a walk-off home run by Kyle Schwarber, who was not voted onto the Cubs all-time team.

But this season has been even more electric with Pete Crow-Armstrong's dramatics, and October figures to be dialed up to 11 at Wrigley.

Chicago Bears have set their initial 53-man roster. Here’s who did — and didn’t — make it.

The Chicago Bears had a quick turnaround to get down to 53 players on their active roster after playing the final game of the NFL preseason schedule.

Home runs sink the Chicago Cubs in a 7-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds — despite Pete Crow-Armstrong’s pair

The loss means the Chicago Cubs are eight games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central before the pair play a four-game set at Wrigley Field beginning Monday.

3 takeaways as the Chicago White Sox drop series finale 5-1 to Minnesota Twins — but break up perfect game bid

The Chicago White Sox had to settle for winning two of three in the series as their four-game winning streak came to an end.

5 questions for Notre Dame football, including Jeremiyah Love’s replacement and CJ Carr’s encore

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman wants the Irish to block out the hype and keep working. There still are some questions to settle.

Column: Questions remain as Chicago Bears get down to 53 players. Chiefly, what’s the delay with Kyler Gordon?

As the Chicago Bears got down to the 53-man roster limit Sunday, Kyler Gordon’s lack of availability remains the mystery wrapped inside an enigma at Halas Hall.

Chicago Bears trade DT Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons for CB Clark Phillips III and a 5th-round pick

Gervon Dexter Sr., who had six sacks last season, was a 2023 second-round pick and is entering the final year of his contract.

Photos: Chicago Cubs’ 150th anniversary celebration at Wrigley Field

Photos from the Chicago Cubs’ 150th anniversary celebration Aug. 29, 2026, at Wrigley Field.

Defenseman Kevin Korchinski signs 2-year, $2.65M deal, keeping him with Chicago Blackhawks through 2027-28

The Chicago Blackhawks signed defenseman Kevin Korchinski to a two-year, $2.65 million contract, the team announced Saturday.

Big Ten football: Can Ohio State and Oregon supplant defending champ Indiana in the conference — and beyond?

The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers were the first team in the modern era to go 16-0. But it’s Ohio State and Oregon generating most of the preseason buzz.

Big Ten football: No. 16 Michigan’s hopes hinge on Bryce Underwood’s Year 2 in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut

No. 16 Michigan will likely fall short of a double-digit win season for the third straight year with six opponents ranked in the AP Top 25, including four in the top 10.