The Chicago Cubs are one of six teams interested in acquiring San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Through 21 starts, the former Cy Young runner-up has a 4.

After spending most of the season on the injured list, the veteran pitcher is challenging the old adage about "better late that never."

The circumstances were, uh, just a little bit different five years ago when then-Padres manager Jayce Tingler called on little-known utility player Jake Cronenworth as a pinch-runner in a game against the Diamondbacks.

A year later, the Padres find themselves in slightly better standing. They are 55-49, one game ahead of their 54-50 record last July 24. They are also entering dangerous territory. The wins and losses tell a story of year-over-year improvement. The recent trend lines do not.

The Padres’ only saving grace in their current position is they began the second half in a better spot than they did last year, when they were just one game over .500. These Padres were 52-44 before splitting their first six games after the break, at the Nationals and Marlins, and then dropping the first two games in St. Louis.

Padres Daily: Not the usual loss; Pivetta doesn’t back off; nothing to show (Kevin Acee, SD U-T) In muddy Padres rotation picture, Michael King appears to be on his way back (Kevin Acee, SD U-T) Sloppy Padres drop fourth straight in shutout loss to Cardinals (Kevin Acee, SD U-T)

The San Diego Padres started their current road trip versus the Washington Nationals, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals with a lead over the San Francisco Giants and Cardinals in the Wild Card race. In fact, on July 21 they were 3.5 games up on the Giants, Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.