Happy Father’s Day!

“When the Cubs score a lot of runs, they score a lot of runs and win.” — John Smoltz

Irregardless! Smoltz said it AGAIN. I’m teed off. Dark gods, I hate that ‘word’. I agree with the tweet below:

Jason Heyward looks like the real thing though. Just the way it should be. Addison Russell is showing plenty of improvement, too. And I love it when Brandon Morrow is up there spitting and grimacing, as it usually means the Cubs are about to win. He needs to perfect his Hrabosky though. There’s room for improvement in the mound-presence department. Good that he was able to preserve the victory — it would be a crime to lose a game like that.

Meatloaf is ours! It’s better without the toasted ravioli. I’m watching tv noir to stay in the mood as monsoon rains pelt southern Arizona — let’s hope the Cubs can escape screwy St. Louis with another win and head up Route 66 toward home and a series with the Left Coast version of da Bums. Left toin at Albuquerque maybe next week, on the road to Tinseltown. Get your kicks — as always * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome).

Cubs News and Notes:

Jason Heyward went deep on a 99.1 mph fastball from Jordan Hicks, making it the hardest pitch he’s hit a home run off of in his career. This coming not long after hitting a walk off grand slam at Wrigley Field off lefty Adam Morgan. Heyward has four home runs on the season but has been on a slugging tear of late. — Jesse Rogers.

Former Cub/Ranger/Oriole Rafael Palmeiro homered for the 2nd time in 14 games Fri. for the independent Amer. Assn. Cleburne Railroaders, as he attempts a comeback at age 53. Pictured with his son Patrick, 28, a teammate, he’ll be featured on E:60 Sun., 9a E on ESPN & 10a E on ESPN2. — William Weinbaum.

• Jeff Fogle (New York Post): It’s a good bet to ride the resurgent Cubs. “...the Cubs will carry a championship pedigree into the second half of the season.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs beat Cards again as front office watches division race with trades in mind. “I think we saw last year as a three-team race, and certainly we see this very much as it’s going to be a race all year,” general manager Jed Hoyer said.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): How the Cubs are looking at the trade deadline right now. “I don’t think right now we know exactly what we may need,” Hoyer said.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs Trade Rumors: Hoyer says Adbert Alzolay injury underscores search for pitching depth. “Alzolay was expected to be a release valve of sorts...”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*):Jon Lester continues to show how valuable he is to Cubs. “Maddon believed Friday’s outing was the best stuff Lester has displayed all year.”
• Doug Glanville (NBC Sports Chicago*): What we lose when playing the percentages. “Today, the numbers are king in baseball’s chess game.”
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): Cubs catch, pass Cards to win series. “Kyle Hendricks got the win, ending a personal three-game losing streak.”
• Josh Cole: (Wrigleyville-Baseball Prospectus): Hendricks can’t keep the ball in the park. “I’m just fighting myself on some of my mechanics…so that’s really where the problem’s at,” Hendricks said.
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): It took 10 years, but Anthony Bass earns college degree. He “received his business degree with a focus on management information systems from Wayne State University.”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Randy Rosario has wasted no time endearing himself to the Cubs and their fans. “All told between the two levels, he’s allowed just 2 earned runs on 15 hits in 32.2 innings, good for an 0.55 ERA and 0.86 WHIP.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Joe Maddon giving Cubs closer Morrow plenty of rest. “Maddon said he would prefer not to pitch Morrow in a non-save situation just for the sake of staying sharp.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times*): Does the NL’s top All-Star candidate who won’t make the team play for the Cubs? “I try not to think too much about it, man, because I can’t control it,” said Albert Almora Jr., the Cubs’ leading hitter at .321.

Food For Thought:

Thanks for reading.