Cub Tracks’ eight is enough?

Sorry, Dick van Patten.

The Chicago Cubs are done, the playoffs a lost cause despite a run differential (+104) that is the third best in the National League entering Wednesday. — Anthony Witrado (Forbes).

By now you know the narrative. I’m sorry, but there isn’t much more than that available. I read all of it so you don’t have to. The magic number is zero. Wait ‘til next year.

The Cubs were officially eliminated from postseason contention Wednesday night, shortly before reliever David Phelps threw the second of two wild pitches in the eighth inning that led to a 4-2 loss to the Pirates, their eighth consecutive defeat. — Mark Gonzales.

It could be worse:

• 1962 - The Cubs lose their 101st, but the good news is that only 903 fans are on hand to see it. The Phils win, 5 - 3, their 18th win in 23 games. The Phils will win tomorrow, 8-0, behind Dennis Bennett, and only 607 fans will see that one. (BBRef)

Could be better:

• 1989 - The Cubs become the first team to clinch a division title this season, wrapping up the National League East with a 3 - 2 win over the Expos. Mitch Williams strikes out Mike Fitzgerald to win the game. (BBRef)

Last year:

• 2018 - The Cubs and Brewers both clinch a postseason slot with wins today, although which of the two teams will finish first in the NL Central and which will host the Wild Card Game remains up in the air, as only a half-game separates them.

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.

• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Theo Epstein acknowledges ‘change needed’ after the Cubs fall short of the playoffs for the 1st time in 5 years. “It was made clear over the course of the year, too, in a lot of ways and back to last year in some regards too.” Paul Sullivan moves him over. Tony Andracki sends one up the middle. Rick Morrissey loads the bases. Jordan Bastian strikes out on his own. Anthony Witrado takes a hack. Matt Provenzano ponders the next move.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs prez Theo Epstein says he’ll be back next year, refutes speculation he’ll return to Red Sox. “There’s nothing to that story,” Epstein said Wednesday.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): David Ross on Joe Maddon’s future with Cubs: ‘The grass isn’t always greener’. “... Ross said that while it’s a huge honor to be mentioned as a managerial candidate, he agreed...that the Cubs shouldn’t move on from Maddon.” Evan Altman puts some spin on the ball. And repeats the delivery with a different pitch. Brett Taylor has alternate plans.
• Tony Andracki (NBC Sports Chicago*): Collapse? Failure? Disappointment? However you frame it, the Cubs weren’t expecting this.“Losing those games to St. Louis, the way it happened was very shocking,” Kris Bryant said. Matt Provenzano has the numbers.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Inbox: Will Nick Castellanos be a Cub next season? “There will surely be mutual interest, but Castellanos is represented by agent Scott Boras, who is going to try to capitalize on this moment for his client.”
• Andy Koval (WGN-9): End of an era: Len Kasper, Steve Stone discuss impact of Cubs baseball on WGN. “For as long as I’ve been alive, WGN has been showing Cubs baseball,” Stone said. “That’s pretty amazing to me.”
• Cubs birthdays: Bert Humphries, Clarence Maddern, Bobby Shantz, Al Lary, Steve Buechele, Dave Martinez.

Food for thought: