clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cub Tracks Can't Win Them All

Tough sledding Saturday.

By Duane Pesice
What was that?
What was that?
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

I spent the last few innings practicing for the luge on my Flexible Flyer. Keep the champagne on ice for a little bit. We can still go 157-5.

Box Score.

* autoplay reminder

Best foot forward.

  • Randy Holt (Beyond the Box Score): Dexter Fowler: the best player in baseball. Statistically justifiable. Fowler is killing it.
  • August Fagerstrom (MLB.com): How metrics put Dexter Fowler in position to save no-hitter. "...runs saved by center fielders with a tendency to play shallow on balls coming in was far outweighed by the runs lost on balls over their head."
  • Nick Lampe (Today's Knuckleball): Examining Dexter Fowler's outstanding start. "In general, Fowler seems to be swinging at fewer pitches overall, both inside and outside the strike zone."

If at first you don't succeed, try second.

  • Jesse Rogers (ESPN): How the Cubs celebrated Jake Arrieta's no-hitter. Pizza and beer.
  • John Arguello (Cubs Den): The renaissance of Jake Arrieta is as much mental as physical. "It's as if Arrieta controls his entire game internally." See the game, be the game.
  • Tony Andracki (CSN Chicago*): Jake Arrieta shutting down competition as a model, too. It worked for Jim Palmer.
  • Joe Kay (AP): Jake Arrieta reaching new heights, along with his Cubs team. "The Cubs got together in one of their hotel rooms and threw a pizza party...they figure they'll be doing it again soon."
  • Cameron DaSilva (Fox Sports): 7 stats that prove that Jake Arrieta is almost unhittable. Here are the seven craziest stats that prove just how dominant he is.
  • Neil (Chicago Cubs Online): Cubs to recognize Jake Arrieta's second no-hitter in pregame ceremony. Prior to the first game of the upcoming homestand, Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta will be recognized for his second career no-hitter.
  • Jeanne Kuang (Chicago Tribune): Fan who ran onto field after Cubs' no-hitter: 'I accepted that I was going to jail.' "I planned my route," the 22-year-old said later. "I accepted the fact that I was going to jail that night but I thought it would be worth it."

Downhill racer.

  • Patrick Mooney (CSN Chicago*): How Jason Heyward trade changes the way to think about free agents. "...the Cubs see Heyward as a supporting actor and are paying him like a movie star, because there will be enough times where he can steal the show."
  • Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune): No batting practice? No problem for Joe Maddon. "Whenever you get a chance to take advantage of some rest, take it," he said.
  • Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune): Sliding still an issue for Javier Baez. ""All my fingers are fine," he said.
  • Jesse Rogers (ESPN): Joe Maddon, Ben Zobrist agree: Javier Baez has grown as a player. "There are certain guys looking for an opportunity to make a great play," Zobrist said of Baez. "He’s one of those guys."
  • Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider): Paul Blackburn off to a promising start in 2016. His impressive performance at AA Tennessee has moved him to the front of the promotion line to AAA Iowa and one step closer to Chicago.

Speak now or forever hold.

  • Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): Thom Brennaman b*tching about Cubs fans cheering in Cincinnati is the funniest video of the season. I couldn't stand him when he was here. Still can't.
  • Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Enough already? Nah, not just yet. "...just as the Reds play-by-play man was working himself into a nice self-righteous lather, Kris Bryant turned the water cold."
  • Jesse Rogers (ESPN): Chris Bosio predicts more no-hitters as Cubs follow their 'protocol'. "I said in spring training this is the year we’re going to get three," Bosio said boldly on Friday.
  • Carrie Muskat (MLB.com): Jake Arrieta confident more no-nos in his future. "So many things have to go right. I think I'll have my opportunity again," Arrieta said.
  • CBS Chicago: Jake Arrieta on PEDs suggestion: Plants, lean protein are my steroids. Includes interview with Goff and Rozner [AUDIO].
  • Tim Kurkjian (ESPN): Can't put Jake Arrieta ahead of Clayton Kershaw. [VIDEO].
  • Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times): Cardinals' hero calls team 'just as good, if not better' than the Cubs. "...we think we’re just as good [as the Cubs], if not better than them," said Randall Grichuk. ...and print it.
  • Chris de Luca (Chicago Sun-Times): Commissioner Manfred likes wild-card playoff format, Chicago chaw ban. He also said this new generation of players will help shape the game in the future and attract younger fans.

Miscellaneous.

  • Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Ask away: Displacing regulars, Soler's defense, amusement park rides, more. Answers to mailbag questions.
  • Tim Baffoe (CBS Chicago): David Ross, a no-hitter, and less vs. more. David Ross has a higher fWar than Buster Posey.
  • Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Is it time for robot umps? Analysis of pros and cons.
  • Mike Smith (isportsweb): Chicago Cubs: Pitching and defense picking up the bats. This team is going to be a blast to watch once the bats get cooking.

Food for thought:

We already have meatloaf. I want red gravy.

Next Up In Cub Tracks