👋 Good morning!

Hockey really snuck up on us, huh?

The Blackhawks kicked off their six-game preseason slate last night in Detroit.

It was nice to see Connor Bedard and Wyatt Kaiser both score despite the losing effort.

And suddenly, we’re less than two weeks from the puck dropping on the regular season.

At this rate, spring training will be here in no time.

– Patrick Norton

Big Brothers Big Sisters

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Month!

CHGO and ALLCITY are proud to support their mission, and we’re raising money all month long.

You can donate — or even learn more about becoming a Big — at bbbs.org/allcity

Judgment Day

So long, infuriating called-strike threes. The Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System is coming to Major League Baseball.

The system was first implemented in Minor League Baseball over the past couple of seasons and made its way into spring training and the MLB All-Star Game this year.

Rules:
- Each team will get two challenges and can keep them if they're successful.
- Challenges can only be initiated by a pitcher, catcher, or batter, and the request must come right after the pitch.
- To signal a challenge, the pitcher, catcher or batter will tap his hat or helmet to let the umpire know.
- No help from the dugout or other players on the field is allowed.
- In each extra inning, a team will be awarded a challenge if it has none remaining entering the inning.
White Sox RHP Sean Burke told reporters: “I’ve got a high curveball that I feel like they miss a lot. It doesn’t get calls a lot of the time just because it’s a bigger pitch, and it looks like a ball for so long, so I think that’s going to be something that can help me.

Burke added: “As much as people complain about umpires, they’re right a lot of the time. So I think the challenge system just kind of fixes the calls that they miss every now and again. I think they’ve got to find a way to make sure it’s the same at every stadium.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Tuesday: “Yeah, you know, technology is upon us. My gut feeling on it is that the players like this. A lot of the young players have experience with it. As long as we’ve got the strike zone right, I think this will be a fun rule.”

Cubs OF Kevin Alcantara said: “(It’s) the best. I’m on board with it. It’s the best thing they can do. That way, there’s no erring on the side of the hitter or the pitcher. Sometimes one call can damage a game — to any player.”

I really like this implementation. It’s a perfect compromise for those worried about — or ready to embrace — robot umpires.

The human element of the umpire will always have a place in the game. After all, what would we do without our Steve McMichael vs. Angel Hernandez feuds and our favorite Ozzie Guillen and Lou Piniella blow-ups?

This is also great news for the guys who’ve historically struggled to protect the zone with two strikes…I’m looking at you, Seiya Suzuki.

MORE: CHGO Cubs postgame on Cubs’ loss & the ABS announcement

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FIVE STRAIGHT: Dansby Swanson’s uncharacteristic error sent the Cubs spiraling last night, leading to five unearned runs and a 6-1 lead wiped off the board.

After a fifth-straight loss, the Cubs’ magic number to clinch the top seed in the NL Wild Card and home-field advantage in the round remains at four. And the surging San Diego Padres sit just 1.5 games behind in the standings.

Cade Horton exited after three innings of work on Tuesday night due to back tightness.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the team will monitor Horton’s health over the next few days, but said they believe it could’ve been related to an illness and cough Horton dealt with over the weekend.

Mets 9, Cubs 7

INJURY UPDATE:

Kyle Tucker did some light running at Wrigley Field ahead of yesterday’s game. The club is still hopeful Tucker will return to the lineup before the regular season ends to get the outfielder some at-bats before the postseason.
Daniel Palencia could be activated today. He’s been on the 15-day IL with a shoulder strain since September 8th.

THE FINAL STRETCH: Get ready for a loud finish to the year. When it rains, it pours for Colson Montgomery’s power stroke.

Montgomery’s two-run homer in the sixth inning was the White Sox’s only run support in their series-opener against the Yankees. It was Montgomery’s first home run since September 5th.

Shane Smith tossed 5.0 innings, allowing one run on five hits and four walks, striking out eight. The performance also brought Smith’s ERA under 4.00 (3.98).

But Brandon Eisert picked up the blown save and loss, walking two and allowing two hits in the ninth. Steven Wilson allowed a walk-off single to José Caballero, the only batter he faced.

The Sox will have to win out to avoid 100 losses.

Yankees 3, White Sox 2

INJURY UPDATE:

Andrew Benintendi will miss the rest of the season with left Achilles tendonitis. To replace Benintendi on the roster, the Sox selected the contract of OF Corey Julks from Triple-A Charlotte.