So how did Al do in my stead? Teaser: he gets another shot this coming weekend!
From Comcast SportsNet
- Patrick Mooney believes the rest of the season could get ugly for the Cubs.
- Rick Renteria described Anthony Rizzo's sweet catch on Sunday thusly: "It was the freaking greatest effort."
- A handful of options could get turns in the rotation the rest of the season.
- Chicago Blackhawks' announcer Pat Foley was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this summer. It turns out he revered Harry Caray.
- The Cubs' farm system is making history.
From Cubs Den
- Cub Tracks would like to extend our condolences to the Cubs Den family. Contributing writer Adam "Felzzy" Fels has passed away.
- EconoBall is back and is talking about the Cubs and OBP.
- New contributor Cat Garcia has a look at the three hurlers who will help fill out the rotation as the season continues. Dallas Beeler may be the odd man out for now, but we imagine he'll get another look.
From Cubs.com
- Scoreboard operators are part of the rich history at Wrigley Field. Here is some of their story.
- Brewers' announcer Bob Uecker recalls a life-saving moment at Wrigley Field.
- Kyle Hendricks is all set for his Wrigley debut.
- The impact of "the trade" is still being felt in the Cubs' clubhouse.
From ESPNChicago.com
- Former first round picks stood out this past weekend.
- There's a catch to the big decision the Cubs face with Kyle Schwarber.
- VIDEO: Anthony Rizzo, obviously, earned a Web Gem for his foul pop flip.
- The numbers were a little deceiving from Jake Arrieta's Sunday start.
From the Chicago Tribune
- VIDEO: Jake also talked about pitching with a stomach bug.
- Anthony Rizzo is looking for young teammates to step up.
- Chicago ties bind the mayor of Cooperstown.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- The losses continue to mount for the Cubs.
- Meanwhile, the players are also awaiting more trade activity.
- If the Cubs opt to keep Arismendy Alcantara in the big leagues, Junior Lake and Mike Olt will be on the bubble.
- Gordo believes the young prospects are the only reason to follow the big league Cubs. I dunno. I've rather enjoyed Rizzo, Castro, and Arrieta this year.
From the Daily Herald
- Len Kasper gives the Brewers and Padres some uniform advice.
Miscellaneous
- Recent acquisition Addison Russell apparently has a pretty rigid pregame routine. When teammate Pierce Johnson pranked with him the other day, Russell thought it would mess him up. It did: to the tune of a pair of homers.
- Fangraphs has an update on Pierce Johnson.
- Joe Posnanski wonders who will be the face of baseball once Derek Jeter retires. You might be pleasantly surprised who ends up 10th on his list.
Today's food for thought
- The "new" Quantum Bounce Theory explains how cosmologists believe black holes turn white.
- Think you can match wits with a childhood mathematical genius?