Cub Tracks Makes A Strong Push

The offense is still groan worthy, but I'll be interested to watch the pitching down the stretch. And there's a real nice article about Dave Keller down in Daytona (h/t to the Sun Times). Make sure you read that one.

From Comcast SportsNet

• Daniel Bard is ready for a fresh start with the Cubs.
• The Cubs have nothing to lose, so they're turning to Scott Baker today.
• The education of Junior Lake continues.
• After the trade of Matt Garza, where are the Cubs now?
• Javier Baez is the face of a very successful minor league season for the Cubs' system.
• Hall of Famer and former Cub Andre Dawson sees changes coming to the Cubs as empty seats pile up.

From Cubs Den

• Despite much publicized money woes, the Cubs might make a strong push for the next starting pitcher coming from Japan, Masahiro Tanaka.
• Tom Ricketts addressed the team's financial situation.
• Welington Castillo is emerging as a long-term answer at catcher.

• (Video) Dale Sveum talks about the opportunity the Cubs' young pitchers have.
• Javy Baez is a superstar in the making.
• Donnie Murphy is making a strong case to be part of next year's roster.
• Despite a hiccup on Friday, Pedro Strop is making a case to be next season's closer.
• Tom Ricketts is stressing faith in the Cubs' process.
• Cubs and White Sox telecasts are going their own direction.

From the Chicago Sun-Times

• Dave Keller does it the right way down on the Cubs' farm. The Cubs' front office is giving Keller and his staff in Daytona a lot of credit for progress in the Cubs' minor league system.
• Poor play is driving fans away.

From the Daily Herald

• Many Cubs are looking to make a final impression this season.
• Dale Sveum thinks the September call-up rule needs some tweaking.
• Junior Lake continues to make his case to be part of the future plan.

Today's food for thought

• This is operation puppy rescue. It's the story of a national guard unit being reunited with some four-footed friends.