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Any MLB team can beat you. The good teams WILL beat you.

The All-Star break is over and the Red Sox have come to town. The first game of the three-game series featured Cubs hurler Colin Rea against Lucas Giolito, with Michael Busch again leading off for the North Siders. The BoSox came in riding a 10-game winning streak.

Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins had some things to say before the game:

Jon Lester was in the house, wearing a Ryno jersey:

Rea looked great out of the gate. Seiya said seeya [VIDEO], his 26th, with two on and nobody out in the first:

The Red Sox struck back in the 3rd, with a single tally. Rea kept it right there, with some help from the defense.

Nico tacked one on in the sixth [VIDEO].

Lots of warning-track flies on this afternoon. But just the one extra deep fly. Daniel Palencia did what he does [VIDEO].

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Steve Buckley (The Athletic {$}): A Red Sox-Cubs World Series? We’d have Fenway, Wrigley and so much more. “… this time it’s the actual talent of the clubs that stands out.”
Zoe Grossman (Marquee Sports Network*): MLB trade rumors: Who will be Cubs’ top targets at July deadline? “The Cubs are looking to acquire both game-changers and bench depth.”
Thomas Domol (North Side Baseball*): Cubs broadcaster Alex Cohen on World Series hopes, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and more. “The vibes are high, and this is a team with postseason and World Series aspirations,” he said.
Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors*): Cubs To sign Spencer Turnbull. “… he’ll provide some depth…”
Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 3 questions the Chicago Cubs face after the All-Star break, including whether the offense can keep producing. “As the Cubs come out of the break with 66 games to go, they’re in great position to make the playoffs in a full season for the first time since 2018.”
Randy Holt (North Side Baseball*): How Carson Kelly fought back against regression (and won). “… regression doesn’t have to be permanent.”
Ryan O’Rourke (Cubbies Crib*): Michael Busch is doing things we’ve only rarely seen from a Cubs first baseman. “… there’s reason to believe his best days are still ahead of him.”
Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs are trending toward the potential Dansby Swanson saw when he signed on, but they have to finish strong. “That’s what you always envision,” Swanson said. Patrick Mooney has more {$}.
Ryan Herrera (MLb.com*): Seiya picks up where he left off as Cubs snap Sox’s win streak. “Suzuki attacked the first pitch he saw…”

Food for thought:

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