aul Dickov iss another to question Warburtons claim, insisting no other game comes near it.dddddddddddd Celtic striker, Leigh Griffiths, explains why this weekends Old-Firm derby against Rangers is as big as a

CHICAGO -- John Lackey was ornery and fired up, just what the Cubs needed from their veteran right-hander to keep rolling.Lackey outpitched friend and former teammate Jered Weaver, Kris Bryant hit his 28th home run and Chicago beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 Tuesday night for its eighth straight victory.Willson Contreras also homered and Ben Zobrist added an RBI double for the major league-leading Cubs, who won their 70th game and moved a season-high 29 over .500.Kole Calhoun homered on Lackeys third pitch, but the former Angels right-hander later retired 12 straight. Lackey (9-7) allowed three hits over eight innings, and all six of his strikeouts were looking.Hes not going to be out there smiling all the time and hes going to be upset with umpires and hes going to be upset with his manager, said Cubs skipper Joe Maddon, who was with the Angels when Lackey started his career in 2002. Hes going to be upset with teammates on occasion. But thats just who he is, and when you know that, its OK. Because you love having him on your team.Weaver (8-9) gave up four earned runs and another one that was unearned when he dropped a throw to first base for an error during the Angels fifth straight loss.Bryant homered over the left-field bleachers in the fifth, giving Lackey more than enough cushion. Pedro Strop pitched a perfect ninth to finish the three-hitter.I thought he had an exceptional slider tonight and a really good changeup, Maddon said about Lackey.The matchup of veteran right-handers was as one-sided as their teams seasons in the opener of Chicagos 10-game homestand.The 37-year-old Lackey and 33-year-old Weaver were teammates a decade ago with the Angels. They had split their previous two meetings when Lackey pitched for Boston.This was the first time they batted against each other.Its a little strange when he gets in the box, for sure, because were good buddies, Lackey said.Calhoun struck first, sending Lackeys 1-0 pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first homer since June 25. Contreras tied it with a shot to left-center in the third.Weaver had the Cubs off balance early with his 83 mph fastball and 70 mph curve. But Chicago started to pounce the second time through the order, with Anthony Rizzo doubling in a two-run fourth and again in a two-run fifth.The second hit came after Bryant sent Weavers slider onto Waveland Avenue.Its one of those lineups where you cant really breathe while youre out there. Theres no leeway, Weaver said. I grinded and tried to get some outs and some things didnt go my way towards the end.Weaver allowed eight hits in five innings.Its still a little weird because I root for him when hes not facing us, Lackey said. Hes a good friend. I really respect the way hes still competing and still getting after it with stuff thats a little less than he used to have. But hes still grinding, still trying to help his club win.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: C Geovany Soto (knee) was activated off the 15-day disabled list after the game and is expected to start Wednesday. C Carlos Perez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. . New closer Cam Bedrosian was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right middle finger. RHP A.J. Achter was called up from Triple-A. . 1B C.J. Cron (hand) plans to take live batting practice in Arizona this week. . RHP Nick Tropeano will undergo Tommy John surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles.Cubs: Relief pitcher Hector Rondon (triceps) was unavailable. Its not an issue. I feel a little tired, Rondon said. . Jorge Soler started in left field for the first time since June 6 following a hamstring injury and three games as the DH last weekend. He went 2 for 4.CALL REVERSEDThe Cubs Dexter Fowler was ruled out after 3B Yunel Escobar had a foul pop knocked out of his glove by a fan in the fifth. Umpires initially ruled it no play before huddling and changing the call without a replay review.HEYWARDS CATCHCubs OF Jason Heyward made a headfirst, snow-cone grab of pinch-hitter Johnny Giavotellas fly to shallow right in the eighth.UP NEXTThe series concludes Wednesday night with Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (11-5, 3.07 ERA) returning from the bereavement list to face right-hander and former Cubs draft pick Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 5.23). KZ Okpala Jersey . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Fake Heat Jerseys .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. https://www.cheapheatonline.com/697h-gary-payton-jersey-heat.html . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Custom Miami Heat Jerseys . The lawyers filed a 33-page amended complaint Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, expanding on the suit originally filed Oct. 3 in New York Supreme Court. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz last week refused to compel Selig to testify in the grievance, and Rodriguez then walked out of the hearing without testifying. Bruce Bowen Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team.Andy Walker says Celtic have sound claims for favouritism ahead of Sundays Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers. Rangers are generally available at 4/1 while Celtic are on offer at around 4/6 for the Hampden showdown, live on Sky Sports from 11am on Sunday.And Walker, who played for Celtic in two spells between 1987 and 1996, believes the bookmakers have it spot on considering the merits of the respective squads. Speaking to Sky Sports Now, he said: Yes, they are comfortable favourites for me. I think when you look at what the bookies have got Celtic priced at with Rangers 4/1 or 5/1, I think its a fair reflection on the strength of each teams squad.Celtic go into this one as big favourites.Rangers manager Mark Warburton is reported to have labelled the game as just another football match, but Sky Sports pundit Walker believes he could not be further from the truth.Im born and bred in Glasgow and I went to these games as a youngster for many years and eventually I was lucky enough to play in one, he said. Mark Warburton says Sundays Glasgow Derby is just another game It blew me away, just the noise, the passion, the sheer determination and everything about the fixture. I dont think Mark will have experienced it before.That said, I think it is a bit of a free-hit for Mark Warburton. You have to remember this is very early in his Rangers career. Hes only had two transfer windows to put a team together, had very little money to spend and I dont think anyone would be looking at Mark Warburton and criticising him if Rangers lose. Ronny Deila in trouble if he loses, according to Andy Walker On the other hand, if Celtic lose you look at Ronny Deila and you can throw up a number of losses that have been painful for the Celtic supporters. Im thinking really of the Champions League so I think Celtic are under more pressure to deliver at the weekend and well need to wait and see if it is a pressure they can handle. Fellow Sky Sports Now guest Paul Dickov iss another to question Warburtons claim, insisting no other game comes near it.dddddddddddd Celtic striker, Leigh Griffiths, explains why this weekends Old-Firm derby against Rangers is as big as any. The former Arsenal and Manchester City striker, capped 10 times by Scotland, said: Im looking forward to it and Andy hit the nail on the head there. When you watch these games, the atmosphere just blows you away and it is like no other game I have ever been to.And I think Mark is playing it down a bit saying its just another game. Being born in Glasgow this is nowhere near just another game.I think Rangers have a decent chance. Defensively theyve not done well of late but at the same time in players like Harry Forrester - an old player of mine - they have match winners throughout the team.Celtic will be big favourites, of course they will, but its a game Im looking forward to.Watch the Glasgow derby on Sky Sports 2 HD from 11am this Sunday.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Larsson: Glasgow derby unique Deila needs Rangers win Rangers can cause upset New pitch for Hampden ' ' '