This You Gotta See: Cubs back at it, White Sox hit the road, Blackhawks get dreaded Knights

Despite being shut down for most of a week, the Cubs — 10-3 — can get back to the business of kicking tail and taking names. Or trying to.

The Cubs haven’t won a game since Wednesday. What is this, 2014?

If only, right? It’s 2020, as you know, which means it’s, among other things, as strange a time as there has ever been in sports (which you also know).

In the Cubs’ case, they’ve been on hold since before this past weekend not because of anything they did or didn’t do — if only life were that simple — but because of another team’s coronavirus outbreak. And Kris Bryant thought St. Louis summers were “boring” when baseball was actually being played.

But enough complaining. The Cubs are back. Well, they will be on Tuesday, anyway. The Cardinals fiasco is, for the time being, at least, in the rearview.

Despite being shut down for most of a week, the Cubs — 10-3 — can get back to the business of kicking tail and taking names. Or trying to.

“I think we’re all holding up fine,” manager David Ross assured. “The tricky part is the off-the-field stuff.”

The Cubs will have a fun workout Monday at Wrigley Field. That is, if dividing into mini-teams and engaging in competitions such as “target practice” — hitting balls at objects placed here and there on the field — can be considered fun. Doesn’t it sound fun? And why are we suddenly picturing a cardboard cutout of Fredbird, the Cardinals’ mascot, with a big “hit me” sign on it?

Then the real fun — games — can resume. As we seem to be saying often lately, let’s just hope it lasts.

Here’s what’s happening:

MON 10

White Sox at Tigers (6:10 p.m., NBCSCH)

If there was one thing the Sox could count on the last few years, it was that no matter how bad they were — and, let’s face it, they made stinking almost an art form — the Tigers were even worse. But look atthe Tigers now, 8-5 and acting like they own the joint. Is Jose Abreu, who has beaten Tigers pitching like a drum his whole career, going to take that sitting down?

Sky vs. Storm (8 p.m., ESPN2)

It’s best on best — according to the standings, that is — with the 5-2 Sky and the 6-1 Storm atop the Eastern and Western conferences, respectively. Nobody doubts the staying power of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart. Are the Sky the real deal, too?

TUE 11

Blackhawks at Golden Knights, Game 1 (9:30 p.m., NBCSCH)

Will it be three-time Cup winner Marc-Andre Fleury in goal for Vegas, or will it be hot new toy Robin Lehner? If it’s Lehner — whom the Hawks dealt at the February trade deadline — things get personal in a hurry. And we’re here for it.

Cubs at Indians (6:10 p.m., FS1, MSN)

Jon Lester has given up four hits and one run over 11 innings in his two starts this season. The old lefty no longer is the ace he was when he led the Cubs onto the field for Game 1 of the 2016 World Series ,but he still has some reach-back-and-git-’er-done stuff.

MLS is Back Tournament final (7:30 p.m., ESPN)

It’s the Portland Timbers vs. Orlando City for all the marbles, baby, and by marbles we mean a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League. In related news, you’ll have marbles in your mouth in no time if you try to say “CONCACAF” 10 times fast.

WED 12

Cubs at Indians (5:10 p.m., MSN)

Tonight’s Cubs starter, Kyle Hendricks, hasn’t pitched at Progressive Field since Game 7 of the aforementioned World Series. Imagine how surprised he’ll be when Joe Maddon emerges from the dugout and tries to remove him in the fifth inning.

Clippers vs. Nuggets (8 p.m., ESPN)

Everybody wants to talk about Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the Clippers taking their playoff shot at the Lakers. Maybe Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will be the team that actually rises to the occasion? Look, we said maybe.

THU 13

Blackhawks at Golden Knights, Game 2 (4:30 p.m., NBCSCH)

Patrick Kane fired 17 shots at Oilers goalies in the qualifying round and lit the lamp exactly once. More success than that against the Knights is a must. Then again, what would the Hawks know about success against the Knights?

Brewers at Cubs (6:15 p.m., Fox-32)

Yu Darvish went from 73 pitches in his first start to 86 in his second and 93 — in seven lockdown innings — in his third. He’s 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA. For crying out loud, the man is good. It’s almost like we can’t even make fun of him anymore.

FRI 14

Cardinals at White Sox (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH)

One would like to think the Cardinals will be back on the field by this point, problems over. One would also like to think about sunshine, rainbows, cotton candy and perfectly turned 6-4-3s. Fingers crossed, people!

SAT 15

UFC 252: Miocic-Cormier (9 p.m., pay-per-view)

As heavyweight championship fights go, this is the one you want to watch. It’s Round 3 of a violent, gripping trilogy, with Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic each having knocked out the other. Bonus drama: Good chance it’s the last fight for the great Cormier, 41.

SUN 16

Cardinals at White Sox (1:10 p.m., NBCSCH)

It’s Game 3 of a seven-game homestand — a pivotal opportunity for the Sox to gain ground in the division. Yes, we sports writers are legally obligated to use cliches like that even when there are no fans in the seats and having the home field basically means squat.