Cub Tracks Hamels it home

I guess there’s a reason to bat Cole Hamels 8th. That was pretty. Unfortunately, the rest of the game wasn’t. Jameson Taillon kept the Cubs’ lumber slumbering and the Pirates struck for five in the opening game of the four-game set.

That solo home run thing being the only run is old. Let’s don’t do that any more.

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Cubs News and Notes:

“I think the standard for every organization is getting to that place where playing baseball in October is something that is assumed and not celebrated,” Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said. “You never take it for granted. But at the same time, I’m happy in four years that it’s come to that, that no one’s talking about that possibility tonight.” — Gordon Wittenmyer.

• Moshe Wilensky (Cubs Insider): Time for NL to adopt DH, end AL’s built-in advantage. “I am not endorsing the DH as a good rule, that is a completely different matter. The relevant issue is that the NL is institutionally disadvantaged by the DH rule, and that needs to end.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs to keep champagne on ice until bigger prize in grasp. “...no champagne-and-goggles postgame celebration was planned for a potential postgame clincher Monday (or Tuesday for that matter).”
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): Cubs may face familiar foes in postseason. “The Cubs boast the best record in the NL, while the Brewers and Cardinals were battling in St. Louis to secure Wild Card berths.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Facing a division rival in the playoffs can be a blessing or a curse for the Cubs. “Any playoff series against a division opponent, it’s a little different because there is so much familiarity,” said Craig Counsell.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks makes a strong case for an early playoff start. “He’s peaking. Maybe the early struggles are helping him later,” said Maddon.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): No timetable for Cubs would-be playoff closer Pedro Strop to throw from mound. ‘‘I don’t want to discount anything,’’ Maddon said.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs might never find consistency at the plate, but they’ll take a timely hot streak. “We have not, offensively, clicked like we thought we would,” Maddon said.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Ben Zobrist still swings a quick bat for the Cubs at age 37. “He doesn’t have to cheat to get to a fastball. That’s kind of nice. A lot of times when a guy gets to be that age, he has to cheat to get to velocity, but he does not. That’s why you’re seeing those results,” said Joe Maddon.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Kris Bryant’s ‘fatigued’ shoulder looms over Cubs, but they insist there’s no cause for concern. “His shoulder’s just a little bit fatigued. Not hurting, just fatigued,” Maddon said.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Bryant, Strop top Cubs’ checklist with the Brewers still chasing them to the finish line. “We still have some work left to do,” Bryant said.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Kyle Schwarber heating up, simplifying his swing, and improving against lefties. “...Schwarber has leveled out his swing a little bit (more line drives, more grounders, fewer fly balls) and is shooting it up the middle more than he ever has before.”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Schwarber looks to be rounding into October form right when the Cubs need it most. “It’s a brand new season after the season’s over. It’s 0-0 and it’s all about winning. That’s what I love about it,” he said.
• Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): Schwarber could be Cubs’ October X factor. “He steps up in big moments,” Kyle Hendricks said.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Jason Heyward’s winning ways help him stay calm for the Cubs during pennant races. “At the end of the day, you try to find a way to make the team win,” Heyward said.
• Carrie Muskat (MLB.com*): Cubs pleased with Terrance Gore’s speed, prep work. “He studies well. I didn’t know that until he got here. He studies pitchers. He doesn’t just show up and be fast,” said Joe Maddon.
• John Grochowski (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Javier Baez has entered some elite company in Cubs history. “Baez entered the Cubs’ game Monday with 81 extra-base hits: 34 homers, 38 doubles and nine triples. Ernie Banks set the club record of 82 as a 24-year-old shortstop in 1955.”
• NBC Sports Chicago: NBC Sports Chicago to present documentary on 20th anniversary of epic home run race. Summer of Sammy: Monday, October 1 at 7:00 PM CT

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.