Cub Tracks comes up again

Welcome to the weekend! Where it’s at! I got two TDs and a field goal! The legend of Nico Hoerner continues. Hoerner became the first Cubs player since Andy Pafko in 1943 to record eight RBIs in the first five games of his career, during a rout of the woeful Pirates.

“It’s not what I expected to be doing this week,” Hoerner said. “But, it’s obviously the best week of my life.”

Nice. A red-letter day. Let’s keep the good times rolling while the season’s narrative is drawing to a close.

“I’m all-in on winning,” Rizzo said.

All this and a little black kitten crossed my path and came to live with us. Makes yesterday’s Baseball history prophetic. The Cubs have more lives than Jason Voorhees.

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. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font.

• Kenny Kelley (Beyond the Box Score): The NL Wild Card is a free-for-all. “The playoff picture is nearly set, but the NL Wild Card continues to be chaos.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Theo Epstein changed the culture of the Cubs. And in the process, cursed them. “... contending for a wild-card spot isn’t good enough, so heads must roll after season’s end.” Theo on Cubs Talk [AUDIO]. More changes coming, says the Athletic {$}.
• Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic {$}): As the season winds down, jobs around the majors are at stake. “...the outcome of the regular season likely will influence the directions of numerous other franchises.”

• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): The message from Cubs brass to players for final stretch of 2019. “Play with your hair on fire, play the game, don’t worry about all this information.” Steve Greenberg echoes this sentiment.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): With future murky, Maddon just focused on wins. “We’re just thinking about winning,” Epstein said. Paul Sullivan has more Maddon.
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider): Yu Darvish’s new curveball reshaping repertoire, lifting velo numbers. “In less than a month, Darvish learned how to throw a pitch that he now considers his best among at least 10 different offerings.” Jesse Rogers considers Yu.
• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times*): Who needs brains? Cubs reliever Rowan Wick is too locked into ‘attack mode’ to think a lot. “I’m not very smart,” he said.
• Steve Adams (MLB Trade Rumors): Digging into the Cubs’ looming decision on David Phelps. “Phelps’ contract came with three different possible tiers of incentives...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Bears - no, Cubs! - score 2 TDs and a field goal. “We have to create our own energy,” Maddon said. “And if you’re going to be uptight about stuff, boys, we ain’t playing much longer.” Jesse Rogers covers that base as well.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): On first pitch he sees at Wrigley, Hoerner HRs. “It’s definitely a second debut of sorts,” Hoerner said. He talks about it on ESPN [VIDEO]. Tony Andracki has more Nico. Steve Greenberg adds on. Gordon Wittenmyer has 2020 vision.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Nico Hoerner’s arm strength has improved, but the Cubs want to see more consistency in the rookie shortstop’s throws. “The challenge is being consistent with it every day,” said coach Brian Butterfield.

• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): How did Nicholas Castellanos go from ‘clown’ to leader? Meet the coach who changed his career. “Matt Martin was the Tigers’ defensive coordinator under Brad Ausmus.”
• Jared Wyllys (Forbes*): After over 70 years, The Cubs on WGN is coming to an end. “... a key part of the team’s rich history is over.” Jeff Agrest has more from Bob Vorwald. And a little more. Paul Sullivan weighs in.
• Cubs birthdays: Reggie Richter, Nick Allen, John Bottarini, Jim Fanning, Dave Hillman. Also notable: Kid Nichols (HoF), Icehouse Wilson.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.