CUBS Lose :(

Last time through this depot, Cub Tracks went all-in at the all-night DC Hold ‘em game. The result: The Cubs won the pot. The Nationals went home for the winter.

Last night, the Cubs faced the Dodgers in the first game of a potential seven-game series. We all know the result. How did it all happen? Al dissected some of the corpus in his recap. And really, it’s over. We can perform multiple autopsies but that game’s done.

This just in: Yasiel Puig is a twit. Say no more.

The Cubs, over the course of the game, started looking tired, to me. That was an exhausting series against the gNats and the chain of events following the finish couldn’t have been restful. Hitters didn’t hit, pitchers got too much plate, Joe made a couple of mysterious moves — for example, I don’t take my best outfield defender out of a close game. I know Kyle Schwarber made a mighty heave on that home-plate play but Jay or even Zobrist should have been out there at that point. The hunch about Schwarbird’s bat clearly didn’t pay off. I wanted defense. Dunno about you.

Yeah...rabble rabble rabble. Grobble grobble. Rassem frassem...ah, well. Those ribs were boffo though, and the jalapeno/cheddar potato salad was nothing short of awesome. You take solace in what you can, yes?

Cubs play again tonight. Hopefully they stayed out of the gin mills, got a good night’s sleep, looked at some video to work out a new plan of attack, and come out ready to rock. I tend to believe they will. Early on, Bryant and Rizzo just...got...under a couple of Kershaw offerings. They can barrel up, they will barrel up, and channel some 2016 vintage elixir. I believe.

On a personal note, I’ve been busier than a one-armed flypaper hanger in a compost pile, having just finished editing an anthology of horrors, but I’m trying to get more involved, reading every word onsite and offering the occasional comment. Some of y’all could easily replace network analysts. Probably should. Heh.

On that note, let’s see what the analysts have to say (Warning — they’re more in the Negative Zone than Annihilus or Blastaar). As always * means autoplay on™ (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

Today in baseball history:

• 1909 - The Pirates, behind the complete-game shutout thrown by Babe Adams, beat the Tigers, 8-0, in the seventh and deciding game of the World Series. With the help of their rookie phenom, who also won Games 1 and 5, Pittsburgh wins its second Fall Classic in franchise history.
• 1912 - Fred Snodgrass' 10th inning two-base error of pinch-hitter Clyde Engle's routine pop fly in center field sets up the tying run en route to the 3-2 Red Sox victory over the Giants and a World Championship for Boston. The play, which will be infamously become known as "Snodgrass' Muff", is followed by his spectacular catch of a long drive hit by Tris Speaker, but the 20 year-old outfielder will always be remembered as a goat in the Fall Classic.
• 1960 - The NL votes to admit Houston and New York to the league, the first structural change since 1900.

• 1962 - With the tying and winning runs in scoring position at Candlestick Park, Willie McCovey's hard line drive is snagged by second baseman Bobby Richardson for the final out of the World Series. The Yankees win Game 7, beating the Giants, 1-0, capturing the franchise's 20th World Championship.
• 1969 - Thanks to Ron Swoboda's double and two Oriole errors in the eighth inning, the Mets win their fourth straight World Series game to become World Champions. Jerry Koosman tosses a five-hitter, beating Baltimore 5-3 in Game 5, a contest which will best remembered for manager Gil Hodges winning the 'shoe polish' argument.
• 1983 - The Orioles win their fourth straight contest against the Phillies and take the World Series in five games. In the 5-0 victory at Veterans Stadium, Scott McGregor pitches a five-hit complete-game, and Eddie Murray hits two home runs.
• 2006 - Former Manager of the Year (1995 and 2001 Mariners) Lou Piniella inks a three-year contract worth approximately $10 million, which has an option for a fourth year to manage the Cubs. The 64 year-old fiery skipper, who is replacing Dusty Baker (66-96), has a record of 1,519-1,420 during his 18-year managerial tenure with the Yankees, Reds, Mariners, and Devil Rays.

Cubs news and notes:

Willson Contreras on the reversed call at the plate: "I think we should go to Walmart, get some toys and...play."

• MLB.com*: NLCS Game 1: Joe Maddon postgame interview. “...I, from day one, have totally disagreed with the content of that rule. I think it's wrong.”
• Steve Rosenbloom (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Memo to Cubs offense and bullpen: Try not to suck. “Adapt or die.”

• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): 5 depressing stats that highlight Cubs' postseason struggles. “...there's no reason for Cubs fans to run for the hills waving their arms in panic and yelling obscenities.” Mushrooms, anyone? ;)
• Bruce Miles (Daily Herald {$}): 3 questions for Chicago Cubs before tonight's NLCS Game 2. "Albert hits lefties," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon.
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): With Corey Seager out, ZiPS has Cubs favored By 0.1%. “...the speculation is that some poor Dodger, probably Charlie Culberson, will come up with a magic injury before long.”
• David Schoenfield (ESPN*): Your guide to Game 2 of the NLCS -- Cubs look to Lester to even series. "We have to get the bullpen in order," Maddon said after Game 1.
• Anthony Dicomo (MLB.com*): Feeling great, Jon Lester ready for NLCS Game 2. "You get out there in these games, and the adrenaline and excitement kind of take over," Lester said.

• David Schoenfield (ESPN*): Starting pitchers do matter in October! Why the Rich Hill-Lester matchup is so important. “In Lester’s case, the struggling Cubs bullpen needs him to deliver some length to his outing.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times*): With a few more playoff ‘nuts,’ is Jake Arrieta the next free agent Lester? “...Arrieta raised his profile — and price tag — beyond the range the Cubs likely will be willing to pay.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Scott Boras makes case for Cubs to re-sign client Jake Arrieta after season. "He's a squirrel with a lot of nuts in the tree. He's a big-game squirrel."
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): Cubs' bullpen struggles carry over to NLCS. “Hector Rondon, Mike Montgomery serve up key homers in Game 1 loss to Dodgers.”
• Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): Cubs still can't find the winning card to play out of vulnerable bullpen. "Just missed the location," Rondon said. "The ball ran a little bit to the center. When you miss, they make you pay."
• Bruce Levine (CBS Chicago*): Bullpen change blows up for Cubs in Game 1 loss to Dodgers. “A decision to adjust a roster spot in the bullpen in the National League Championship Series had immediate negative results for the Cubs.”

• Austin Laymance (MLB.com*): Albert Almora, Jr stands tall on big stage with 2-run shot. Oh hell yeah.
• Chris DeLuca (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs’ push gets 2016 World Series ring removed from auction site. Cubs spokesman Julian Green said the team worked with Leland’s and verified it was a genuine ring given to a scout.
• Steve DelVecchio (Larry Brown Sports): Mia Khalifa seemingly denies being thrown out of Dodger Stadium. No wonder ‘Willie’s’ upset ;)
• Rowan Kavner (Dodgers Insider): NLCS food specials at Dodger Stadium. “A new playoff series brings new concession items...”
• Thomas Boswell (The Washington Post): In the cold gray of the day after, Nats’ shortcomings are subtle but all too clear. “...intelligence of the baseball variety, attention to detail and an almost fanatical will to win, coupled with a chilly poise, are the passcode to open October’s door.”
• Mike Petriello (MLB.com): Turning point: Montgomery holds Ryan Zimmerman. Why didn't Zimmerman try to score?

Food for thought:

• Joshua Sokol (Science): Astronomers map Milky Way’s most distant outpost. “This is something amazing,” says astronomer Alberto Sanna. “Essentially we are looking at the other side of the galaxy.”
• Alexandra Ossola (Popular Science): Is living forever going to suck? “We might be too sick to enjoy our extended lifespans.”
• Haroon Siddique (The Guardian): Magic mushrooms 'reboot' brain in depressed people – study. “Patients unresponsive to conventional treatments benefit when treated with natural psychoactive compound, but researchers warn against self-medication.”

As always, thanks for reading. Cub Tracks will return sometimes Tuesday.