Cub Tracks Has Been Waiting For This Moment

Finally, after almost a year of writing for Bleed Cubbie Blue, I'm starting to know my true talent!

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Starlin Castro is starting to know everything that he can do on the field, and it's the moment he's waited for all of his life.
• Anthony Rizzo doesn't ever want to be one-dimensional. Given his performance so far, I don't think he has anything to worry about in that department.
• How important has the good start in April been for the Cubs? Quoting Rizzo: "Huge."
• Meanwhile, Joe Maddon has noticed frustration in components of Jorge Soler's game but he's confident that Soler will go back to being the patient hitter that he's shown himself to be.
• Adding to the discussion on the designated hitter, Maddon comes down on the side of liking the National League game better.
• Down on the farm, the Cubs are keeping an eye on Javier Baez and Albert Almora.
• The latest round of MLB Power Rankings from Tony Andracki and J.J. Stankevitz finds the Cubs in the Top 10.

From Cubs.com:

• The Cubs are now leading the National League in stolen bases with 25 after stealing 65 bases all of last year.
• Travis Wood attributes part of his success this season to attacking the strike zone better and cutting down on the walks.
• As for Jason Hammel, his success starts with his fastball.
• What did Addison Russell think of first game at Wrigley Field? "It's hard to put into words."
• As for being with the big club, Russell is enjoying every bit of it.
• Phil Rogers writes that Starlin Castro could have years and years of shelf life as the Cubs' shortstop.
• Tom Ricketts apologized Tuesday for using an offensive term during an interview with Kevin Millar on MLB Network's "Intentional Talk."
• The All-Star Game ballot is now available online, and eight Cubs are on it. Vote early and vote often!

From ESPN Chicago:

• Jesse Rogers writes that if a single game could sum up what the front office has been trying to do since they arrived in 2011, Tuesday's game was it.
• Rogers also answers some questions from the Twitter Mailbag.
• [VIDEO] Dexter Fowler speaks on the Cubs' early base-stealing success.
• Kris Bryant isn't concerned that he hasn't hit a home run yet. Hey, if he's going to have a .471 on-base percentage I'm good with singles and doubles.
• It's official: In an informal poll of all five Cubs starting pitchers, all five either like to hit or don't want to see the designated hitter in the National League.
• Talk about random stats: Going into Monday's game, Jorge Soler had a batting average of .136 when the temperature was under 51 degrees. That's why the stat guys get paid the big bucks.

From CBS Chicago:

• Bruce Levine writes that Anthony Rizzo is the heart and soul of this year's young and evolving Cubs team.
• [AUDIO] Joe Maddon on Addison Russell's future position: It's too soon to worry about that.
• As for the disco celebrations after Cub wins this season, Maddon insists on it. Reason number 1,735 for me to like this guy.
• Another promise from Maddon for this season: Expect the 1989 "Zimmer Play" sometime this summer.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• Travis Wood is both aware and optimistic that his partners in the rotation are starting to pitch deeper into games.
• Paul Sullivan writes that while the "Bryant Effect" may not be an official statistic, there's little doubt that the callup of Kris Bryant has had a significant impact on the Cubs.
• [VIDEO] Joe Maddon speaks about the Cubs' five stolen bases on Tuesday night.
• [VIDEO] Starlin Castro talks about Maddon's support and the Cubs' confidence.
• The legal case surrounding the estate of Ernie Banks continued on Wednesday with an inventory of Banks' assets filed in Cook County Probate Court in advance of the hearing.
• Some in the Illinois/Iowa/Indiana blackout areas are still unable to view some Cubs TV games this year. Robert Channick has a summary of this issue.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• Gordon Wittenmyer says that it's not just the young guys who have pushed the Cubs to a strong start, but also the veterans who have played a key role.
• Okay, I'm not making this headline up. Really, I'm not. Will Kris Bryant's blue eyes hurt him in day games?

From the Daily Herald:

• The Cubs' winning record in April is a first step in one of Joe Maddon's goals: Win every month.
• Maddon also spoke about the White Sox playing the Orioles in an empty stadium as well as whether or not he's noticed any changes from the pace of play adjustments.
• When asked about the identity of this year's team, Theo Epstein described it as a "best-case scenario."

From Cubs Den:

• John Arguello and Kevin Gallo present their 2015 MLB mock draft.
• It bears repeating: One of the big keys to the Cubs' success so far this season has been controlling the strike zone.

From Bleacher Nation:

• One of the key members of the bullpen has been Zac Rosscup, and the numbers may point to some reasons why.
• Luis Medina looks at some of the statistics through the first 10 percent of the season.
• Michael Cerami also looks at some early returns, this time from the defensive metrics.

From Chicago Cubs Online:

• Dan Vogelbach is the Southern League Player of the Week. Again.

From Cubs Insider:

• One of the big reasons for Travis Wood's early success: More first-pitch strikes.
• Evan Altman presents 12 random tidbits of Cub minutia.

Today's food for thought: