Cub Tracks’ are they still bums?

Bring your alibis... the best thing the Cubs can do now is to split.

They will always be bums to me, Duke Snider. And I wouldn’t want to wish anyone any else harm, but I have to admit that I was hoping that CB Bucknor would be unable to continue. He’s not the best ball-and-strike judge in the business and I would have preferred a better eye.

Bucknor didn’t have anything to do with the parade of long balls, though. Kyle Hendricks and Rich Hill must have shared the tiny tweezers. Interesting ball game, punctuated with strange-looking plays like Addison Russell’s finishing stretch, the botched double play, and Rich Hill’s RBI single. Kyle Garlick probably needs more seasoning. Hendricks made an early exit — Al’s recap will have full details. Kyle Garlick probably needs more seasoning.

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.

• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): A small change in interactions with Cubs teammates has paid huge dividends for Hendricks. “... he’s seeking input from the likes of Willson Contreras, shortstop Javier Baez and outfielder Jason Heyward.” Evan Altman has more along those lines.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Can Yu Darvish put past in ‘rear-view’ back in LA? “I think he’s going to come out here with a different mindset,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): As Theo Epstein plans for the trade deadline, there’s a possibility that Ben Zobrist could return to the Cubs. “There’s been a little definition added to it, maybe since we last spoke,” Epstein said.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Kris Bryant hitting like its 2016 again — and like he’ll command another extension offer. “I’m always open to hearing what they have to say,” said Bryant.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘I didn’t even know we play them’: Bryant not exactly looking ahead to White Sox series. Shade for White Sox pitcher Dylan Covey, Bryant’s college roommate.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Bryant has some advice for those seeking to pitch him inside: ‘Do it with guys that know how to throw there’. “The ones I’m getting hit on have no clue where it’s going,” he continued.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Did you realize just how hot Kyle Schwarber has been? “... he’s been more than 20% better than the league average hitter for 200 plate appearances – and FAR better than that lately.”
• Greg Huss (Cubs Insider): Chicago Cubs prospect interview: Breakout star Brennen Davis talks about why he chose Cubs over college. “The 19-year-old has already shown an advanced approach at the plate during his short stint in the Midwest League...”
• Cubs birthdays: Charlie Dexter, Babe Dahlgren, Gene Baker, Billy Williams (HoF), Ty Cline, Champ Summers. Also notable: Wade Boggs (HoF), Dusty Baker, Tony Clark.

Food for thought:

New on the stands (Includes “Bobblehead”). Thanks for reading.