Cub Tracks orders in

Crown the Vic!

Remember back when the season was just getting started and the ledges were already full of people who were convinced that the Cubs’ chances of winning the division were as inconceivable as Norm Crosby’s wife?

I’m guessing that’s pretty much over, at least for now, like Norm’s career (Norm’s still around at 91 and was last seen on a telethon). The ratio of con to pro has certainly fallen off, in any case. But the stinkin’ Cardinals... always horning in on the fun. The game looked to be in doubt for a minute, but the Cubs persisted and inexorably pressed on for more runs and the eventual win. Al’s recap will have the details. Craig Kimbrel threw a bullpen session and it went well. We’ll have words about that and other articles about pitching in 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.

• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): ‘If I had the checkbook, I’d write you one now’: How the Cubs signed Kimbrel and what comes next. “If there’s a way to make this happen, we want him to wear a Cubs uniform,” said Theo Epstein.
• Bruce Miles (Daily Herald* {$}): New Cubs closer Kimbrel throws bullpen session, now heads to Arizona. “Kimbrel will spend time at the Cubs’ facility in Mesa before going to Class AAA Iowa on an option assignment as he works himself into game shape.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Kimbrel full contract details, vesting option, escalators, no-trade protection. “... more details on the deal from Jon Heyman”
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): An underrated factor that brought Kimbrel to Chicago. “... you can’t discount the allure of playing at Wrigley Field.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Kimbrel is the latest addition to a star-studded cast of Cubs, reminiscent of Yankees teams past. “There’s a smorgasbord of high-priced talent in one clubhouse, even if some might be a little past their prime.”
• Daniel Shepard (Cubs Insider): Kyle Hendricks overcoming slow start with increased fastball velocity. “The increased velo and spin are turning Hendricks’ fastball into an elite swing-and-miss pitch.”
• Daniel Shepard (Cubs Insider): Cole Hamels pitching his way to another contract with Cubs. “... the overall results have been good enough to spark an interesting notion...”
• Teddy Greenstein (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs reliever Pedro Strop is fine with losing save chances and eager to learn from Kimbrel. “... it’s just about winning,” Strop said.
• Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Pitching prospect Duane Underwood embracing move to the bullpen. “... this was a move that could get me in the big leagues and stay in the big leagues,” Underwood said. How Adbert Alzolay finally found consistency.
• Cubs birthdays: Marty Callaghan, Sal Madrid, Roy Smalley, Tom Edens, Mike Fontenot, Buck Coats, Zac Rosscup. Also notable: Dave Parker.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.