The Chicago Cubs beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Friday, putting an end to Boston’s 10-game winning streak. Right-hander Colin Rea toed the rubber for the Cubs and allowed just one run on four hits over five innings of work, striking out five batters and walking four.

The Cubs’ biggest need, with about a week before the July 31 deadline, is starting pitching. Lugo, who held the Cubs to four hits and two runs in six innings, will be highly sought after by contending teams if the Royals make him available. But their trade-deadline direction is unclear.

One of the highlights of the game may have been Frankie Scalzo Jr. and his mustache. Scalzo features some of the nastiest stuff in the Cubs system and his pitches danced very well tonight. Other ...

The New York Yankees couldn’t overcome Max Fried’s early exit and a quiet afternoon at the plate, dropping Saturday’s game to the Chicago Cubs, 5-2, in the Bronx. Fried labored through three innings before leaving with a blister on his pitching hand.

Washington is 43-62 on the year, 13.5 games back in the wild card race, so it will likely be willing to trade one of its best arms if it can get the right offer. The Cubs, who appear ready to make a deep playoff run, could benefit tremendously from Gore, so they might be willing to meet the Nationals' "sky-high" price point.

The New York Yankees wrapped up the first half of their season on a sour note, falling to the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Sunday afternoon in the Bronx and losing two of three in the series. New York’s bats were nearly silent,