With now just over a week to go ahead of the MLB trade deadline, real reports of discussions between teams are starting to surface rather than just rumors or id

With the July 31 Trade Deadline coming up, this week marked an important one for the Royals. If they wanted to pave their way out of being sellers at the Deadline, the team needed to take care of business against the Cubs to begin the week.

Matthew Boyd pitched seven crisp innings for his 11th win, and the Chicago Cubs spoiled Rich Hill’s return to the majors with a 6-0 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson and Matt Shaw each had two hits as Chicago ended a two-game slide.

The Royals won the series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field and knocked Chicago out of first place in the NL Central.

The Cubs vs. Royals Game 2 is all set to get underway as Chicago looks to strike back at home with Matthew Boyd on the mound.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit two of Kansas City’s four two-run homers and doubled on a 3-for-4 afternoon, leading the Royals past the Chicago Cubs 8-4.

If the Chicago Cubs make the postseason, adding another quality starter who can slot into a playoff series would make them a serious World Series threat.

It has been known for a while now that the Cubs will look to add to the ballclub before next week’s Trade Deadline. Not that it needed to be, but waking up Wednesday morning tied for the best record in the Majors might’ve helped confirm that even more.