Cub Tracks Feels A Lot More Confident

I'm feeling like I have a lot more swagger myself.  Might be because I changed shampoos.

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Despite the loss in Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Joe Maddon was beyond proud of the Cubs, saying that "I think now, we know we can beat them and they know we can beat them, too."
• Maddon also believes that Pedro Strop has gotten over the hump against the Cardinals after having been knocked around by them repeatedly over the course of the season.

From Cubs.com:

• There will be a small shake-up in the rotation as the Cubs announced on Monday that they will be skipping the next start for Dan Haren. Jon Lester, Jason Hammel, and Jake Arrieta will pitch against the Pirates in this weekend's series.
• Pedro Strop was unavailable to pitch on Sunday as he was on a tropical vacation... at his locker.

From ESPN Chicago:

• Doug Padilla also chimes in on the Cubs' growth against the Cardinals this season, writing that the Cubs came of age as the season progressed.

From CBS Chicago:

• The Cubs are back to being the most popular team in baseball, writes Bruce Levine, thanks to the highest road game attendance of any team in the majors.
• Sunday's game featured some hard slides, but Addison Russell wasn't concerned about being taken out at second base by Yadier Molina. In his words: "I didn't get hurt. He didn't get hurt. No hard feelings."
• This week's "Behind the Plate" focuses on David Burns, the executive chef at Wrigley Field.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• Despite not getting a lot of innings from the back of the rotation in September, it hasn't hurt the Cubs because the bullpen has picked up a lot of the slack.
• Karl Jernigan remembers coaching Addison Russell when he was nine years old and says that he's still working as hard now as he did back then.
• What's the best mindset for a Cubs fan to take if you want the most happiness? If you ask a psychologist, it's to take the middle road and avoid being too optimistic or too pessimistic. That and to enjoy the ride.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• When it comes to the Cubs and the postseason, Rick Morrissey won't be surprised by any result including losing in the wild card game or winning the World Series.
• From the "Did You Know?" department: David Ross has six pickoffs this season.
• Kyle Schwarber got a taste of one of the nuances of Wrigley Field on Sunday: A face-first meeting with the bullpen mound in left field.
• You're probably familiar with the hashtag #WeAreGood that has been used with the Cubs this year. You may also know its origin, but for those who don't, Jason Motte can confirm this: Miguel Montero started it.
• And in case you needed another opinion on the delayed callup of Kris Bryant, here's a take on it from... Ryan Theriot.

From the Daily Herald:

• Joe Maddon is a big fan of the big crowds at Wrigley Field, saying that people shouldn't underestimate the impact the importance of the fan base when it comes to the effect it has on the team.

From Cubs Den:

• The instructional leagues are underway in Arizona. John Arguello has a report from the first day of action.

From Bleacher Nation:

• With attendance being up this year and with previous statements from Jed Hoyer that additional revenue would go into baseball operations, what might next year's payroll look like? Brett Taylor gives his thoughts on the issue.

From Cubs Insider:

• Move your affiliate, win a championship; Todd Johnson writes that things couldn't have lined up any better at High-A Myrtle Beach this season.

Today's food for thought:

• If black holes are invisible, how do we see them?
• Things that need no introduction: It's America's largest pumpkin.