Cub Tracks Prefers Fresh Minds

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• Javier Baez is back with the big club and this time around he has something to prove, writes Patrick Mooney.
• The Cubs will have some decisions to make regarding center field, Dexter Fowler, and Austin Jackson this offseason.
• Why has Jake Arrieta been so successful for the Cubs? Scott Boras' opinion: "They really let him be himself."
• A new fitness craze is making its way to Wrigley Field today as part of a charity event: Spoxing. No, that's not a typo.

From Cubs.com:

• The biggest plate appearance of the night on Tuesday for Kyle Schwarber might not have been his homer but instead the walk that he took earlier in the game, according to Joe Maddon.
• Phil Rogers looks at five key questions for the Cubs as they head down the stretch.

From ESPN Chicago:

• Jesse Rogers writes that if you're not happy with the five-inning outing from Dan Haren on Tuesday, then you need to recalibrate your expectations.
• The month of September will be full of "bullpen games", according to Theo Epstein, with a heavy reliance likely to fall on Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon.
• The panel of ESPN experts gives their predictions on the major season-ending awards.
• You've probably already seen this, but just in case... the Dodgers went the extra mile for a gift after Jake Arriera's no-hitter... and sent him the pitching rubber. Who knew that those things weigh 60 pounds??

From CBS Chicago:

• Jorge Soler is confident that he will be able to return before the end of the season.
• [AUDIO] Jake Arrieta spoke with Jason Goff and Joe Cowley on topics including his Cy Young chances, the playoff push, and his long-term future.
• Chris Emma writes that this year's team knows how to enjoy itself while fighting for history, and no amount of talk about the past or curses matters.
• Joe Maddon on limiting batting practice this late in the season: "I prefer fresh minds and bodies."

From the Chicago Tribune:

• Kris Bryant isn't making any excuses -- and isn't looking for any, either -- for his error in the ninth inning of Wednesday's loss.
• Hector Rondon on not giving a free pass to Joey Votto: "I didn't want to pitch around that guy."

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• Rick Morrissey writes that when it comes to Kris Bryant, you take the bad with the good figuring that you'll come out ahead in the long run.
• Hey, look! It's more rookies running to Starbucks!
• What do you do for a pick-me-up on a hot day? If you're Anthony Rizzo, you indulge in orange slices.

From the Daily Herald:

• Bruce Miles writes that after some pretty high highs and low lows, the Cubs are definitely a team that could use a day off.
• Miles also notes a trend that could cause issues down the stretch: a lack of quality starts since the All-Star break.
• Joe Maddon admits that James Russell was pitching in less-than-ideal situations, saying that "he was pitching in moments he should not have been pitching in."

From Bleacher Nation:

• In prospect news, Gleyber Torres and Jeffrey Baez are on their way to High-A Myrtle Beach for the rest of the season and the Pelicans' playoffs.
• Joe Maddon and Chris Bosio spoke earlier this week on the Kap and Haugh show. Michael Cerami has the highlights.

Today's food for thought:

• Here's a list of 15 words that you probably didn't realize were still trademarked.
• Context is everything. Especially when you're looking at pictures from books from 1894.