Cub Tracks’ Rocky Mountain low

How you doin? I know... the other team played the Bomber, too.

“... ujhjbnnnnnnnnn”, says Chicken Butt, expressing his feelings about that game. I assume there’s little positive embedded in that indecipherable statement. I feel similarly... that was a frustrating affair, but they play again today and I hope for a better result. He’s already changed the channel.

And so have we. It’s just one game... Carlos Gonzalez had a warm welcome, anyway, and made a nice catch.

Here’s today’s Cubs News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$] means limited views.

• Lauren Comitor (The Athletic {$}): The Cubs have dazzled at Wrigley, but can they take their show on the road against the Rockies and Dodgers? “They’re 13-16 on the road following last week’s 1-5 trip...” 13-17 now.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs rotation has given the bullpen a heck of an assist lately. “In a 13-game span, relievers have only needed to cover about two innings a game.” Mark Gonzales adds on.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Jon Lester recalls his time with former Red Sox teammate David Ortiz. “When it’s one of your close friends, it hits home.”
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): Kyle Hendricks already in playoff mode thanks to better mechanics. “Hendricks’ most recent performances have showcased 25-50% greater release extension...”
• Manny Randhawa (MLB.com*): Yu Darvish stumbles after Cubs take lead with 3 homers. “In the end, it was a 6-5 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field in a contest Chicago once led 4-0...”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Cubs reportedly still interested in Giants lefties Will Smith and Tony Watson. Bruce Levine thinks so. Evan Altman takes the extra base.
• Rick Tarsitano (WGN 9): Willson Contreras makes Cardinals fan a Cubs fan for life. “Not a bad first trip to Wrigley Field for Chase Mason.” Paul De Jong reciprocates.
• Cam Ellis (NBC Sports Chicago*): What does Statcast’s new set of defensive metrics tell us about the Cubs’ outfield? “... focused on measuring the best outfielder ‘jumps’.”
• Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): Red-hot Kyle Schwarber thriving in Cubs’ leadoff spot. “That’s as good as I’ve seen him -- ever,” manager Joe Maddon said. Tony Andracki concurs.
• Manny Randhawa (MLB.com*): CarGo gets standing ovation in Denver return. “... baseball’s always a funny sport. Now I’m on the other side,” said Gonzalez.
• Jon Greenberg (The Athletic {$}): Dollars and sense: It won’t be like Lane’s Lounge, but gambling is coming to Chicago. “... Chicago’s sports teams are dying to make more money off their fans.”
• Matt Breen (The Philadelphia Inquirer*): Former Phillies manager Frank Lucchesi dies at 92. Lucchesi managed the Cubs for the last 25 games of 1987 and the team went 8-17.
• Cubs birthdays: Roger Bresnahan (HoF), Claud Derrick, Charlie Hollocher, Frank Thomas, Jimmy Stewart, Jason Waddell.

Food for thought:

Thanks for playing along.