Cub Tracks ain’t got nothin’

This stuff is hard on a fan, isn’t it? We want the games to be competitive but damn, can’t take a moment for granted in this difficult baseball season. Up until that last pitch, we ain’t got nothin’. It’s weird to see Tyler Chatwood out on the bump getting high-leverage innings.

Unfortunately, it isn’t unusual for the bullpen to give up the lead. But we deserve better for our blood, sweat, and tears, and so do the players that worked so hard for victory only to have it torn away.

And again, round and round. Al’s recap will have the full details of this heavyweight bout.

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.

• Mike Petriello (MLB.com*): The 4-part plan for Cubs at Trade Deadline. “There’s not one perfect plan here, but here’s _a_ plan.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Another loss exposes an evolving, but flawed, Cubs roster that should expect more change. “... we scored two runs on (four) hits. That’s what it really comes down to,” said Joe Maddon. Mark Gonzales adds a few words.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs remove Pedro Strop from late-inning role: ‘We’ve just got to figure it out’. “Pedro has been so important and good to us. He’s had a couple of bad outings ...” said Maddon. Gordon Wittenmyer puts his thinking cap on, tilted to the left.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Albert Almora’s HR spoiled by Craig Kimbrel’s blown save. “Jon Lester took a no-decision after spinning seven shutout innings.”
• Robert Kuenster (Forbes*): A return from Ben Zobrist could be the spark that the Cubs need. “Without having to make a trade, the Cubs can add the veteran leadership of Zobrist to their roster during the push for a division title.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Addison Russell out as a Cub? Not so fast, says team prez Theo Epstein: ‘We expect him back’. “That move doesn’t necessarily carry any type of permanence...” he added.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): How Cubs envision Ian Happ fitting into the puzzle moving forward. “... the Cubs rank 22nd in baseball in OPS from their centerfielders ...” Gordon Wittenmyer has more Happenstance.
• Cubs birthdays: Carmelo Martinez.

Food for thought:

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