Cub Tracks Has Bigger Things On Its Mind

Here's the latest from around the web.

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Jon Lester was obviously pumped after his complete game victory on Tuesday night, but his ultimate goal remains the same: Winning a World Series in a Cubs uniform.
• What would winning 20 games mean to the Cubs and Jake Arrieta? Scott Boras knows.
• Theo Epstein has had some ideas for changing the Wild Card format but at the same time admits that he doesn't know what the ideal format would be, primarily because "it depends on what our self-interest is."
• As for a long-term extension for Epstein, he's not thinking about it right now. At all.

From Cubs.com:

• The defense has been coming up big lately, with Javier Baez making plays at third that are drawing comparisons to Brooks Robinson.
• Another positive sign from the young players: Joe Maddon doesn't see any tightness in the young guns as the playoff push rolls on.
• More fun with Maddonisms, this time on Jon Lester's last plate appearance in Tuesday's game: "His last at-bat indicated to me that he was frisky." I'll take "Things You'd Never Hear Mike Quade Say" for $2,000, Alex.
• Jason Hammel, on his first-inning struggles: "Obviously it [ticks] me off." And just like in A Christmas Story, I'm guessing he didn't actually say "ticks". (And yes, the brackets do also give it away.)
• Also on the list of things that Theo Epstein isn't thinking about right now at all is playoff rosters, saying that he'll focus on that once the playoff race is officially over.
• Four Cubs -- Jake Arrieta, Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Kyle Schwarber -- were announced on Tuesday as nominees in the 2015 Esurance MLB Awards.

From ESPN Chicago:

• Jon Lester says that he doesn't change anything as the season rolls on but that's not something that fans have to believe, writes Jesse Rogers.
• David Schoenfield joins the group of writers making a case for Anthony Rizzo as this year's National League Most Valuable Player.
• On the subject of other members of the front office, Theo Epstein isn't expecting to lose anyone from his team to other jobs during the offseason.

From CBS Chicago:

• [AUDIO] Joe Maddon spoke recently on the Spiegel and Goff show with topics including Jorge Soler and late-game strategy.
• How do you confirm an interview time? If you're Maddon, you channel Austin Powers.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• Paul Sullivan writes that no team should scare the Cubs in a one-game Wild Card playoff... not with Jake Arrieta on the mound.
• But is there a case to be made for Jon Lester as the potential Wild Card starter? Sullivan looks at the possibility.
• One of the main reasons for the Cubs' turnaround this season, according to Sullivan: The performance of Anthony Rizzo.
• Even if the Cubs had lost the second game of the doubleheader and the Giants had won against the Reds on Tuesday night, Steve Rosenbloom isn't ready to hit the panic button.
• Mark Gonzales writes that everything seems to be falling into place to help the Cubs attract free agents this offseason.
• [VIDEO] Why was Javier Baez wearing a faceguard? He had some work done at the dentist.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• Gordon Wittenmyer writes about Javier Baez, who went from missing the team out of spring training to becoming one of the most indispensable parts of their postseason plans.
• Baez also has a pretty impressive glove collection.
• Looking for a new and interesting way to show off your Cubs pride? Look no further than Bill Murray.

From Bleacher Nation:

• Wondering about the rotation for the upcoming series against the Cardinals? Expect a bullpen game on Saturday with Dan Haren and Jon Lester on Friday and Sunday.

From Cubs Insider:

• Jorge Soler Watch: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans issued a press release on Tuesday indicating that they expect Soler to stay with the Pelicans throughout the remainder of the Mills Cup Championship Series.

Today's food for thought:

• Does canned food ever really go bad?
• And if you found yourself in an emergency situation... why would you take a selfie?