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Because I know you care, I'll pick Louisville and Michigan to make it to Monday's title game.
From Comcast SportsNet
- The Cubs' building blocks gave the team hope in the opener.
- (obnoxious auto-start video) Dale Sveum is going to manage the team his way.
- The team is already in "defense mode" when it comes to Carlos Marmol.
From Cubs Den
- The Cubs' new minor league affiliate in Kane County has released its tentative roster. I will be in attendance for Thursday night's season opener.
- There are also previews for Daytona and a combo of Tennessee and Iowa.
- Is it worth leaving Carlos Marmol in his role as closer?
- A draft update that wonders if Jonathan Gray is challenging Mark Appel for the number one spot.
- In a rare link from a link, Big League Futures has the Cubs selecting the flamethrower from Oklahoma with the 2nd pick in their mock draft.
From Cubs.com
- The players know they need a strong start.
- Kyuji Fujikawa watched friend and countryman Yu Darvish be almost perfect.
From ESPNChicago.com
- The team's young stars started the year with a bang.
- Jesse Rogers joins the overreaction crowd and says the Cubs need to pull the plug on Marmol. Why is this an overreaction? Because, right or wrong, the manager decided Carlos was the closer leaving spring training. Nothing that happens in one baseball game should alter your thinking on roles. Now, if you want to argue that Sveum should have made a role switch in spring training, I think that might have some validity. But we also all know Marmol is the closer in an attempt to build some trade value. So you may as well buckle in for a little bit.
- Chris Bosio is also coming to Marmol's defense.
- Dave Sappelt joined the podcast to talk about his first start of the season.
From the Chicago Tribune (register to see almost anything but videos)
- Anthony Rizzo brings the right attitude to the park every day.
- I see a theme. Carlos Marmol has a target on his back.
- Out with the old. It's the young guys turning into leaders for the Cubs.
From the Chicago Sun-Times (can read a paragraph, register to read the rest)
- Edwin Jackson is a sign of the times for the Cubs (note: published before his Wednesday start).
From the Daily Herald (registry required for all)
- Rosemont is (still) making a pitch, if the Cubs want to listen.
- The Epstein knows whether the team gets off to a fast start will decide the direction of their season.
- Jeff Samardzija is making progress as a pitcher instead of just a thrower.
Today's food for thought
- I think this story is just fun to talk about. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says he's interested in giving Baylor University star Brittney Griner a shot at playing in the NBA. Legit possibility or marketing ploy? You decide.