Cub Tracks is erratic and static

Es no bueno. Good news for Danny Hultzen, maybe better news after tonight’s game. The series is tied at one after two games. The Cardinals lost, so no losing ground but still throwing away a chance to close the gap.

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.

• Jon Tayler (Sports Illustrated*): Inconsistent Cubs need uninterrupted success soon to avoid disappointing finish. “... the promise of what was once a potential dynasty is starting to fade.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Do Cubs have anyone fit for a Game 1 playoff start? Can the rotation help assure it matters? “Anybody got Fergie’s number?”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cole Hamels loses key duel, game vs. Christian Yelich. “Hamels yielded a go-ahead, three-run homer to Yelich with a full count in the third inning...” Mark Gonzales has more on this.
• Mike Petriello (MLB.com*): Not a typo: Yu Darvish throws 10 pitches. “... Darvish is throwing variations of pitches we don’t even have classifications for.” Evan Altman has more on this. Darvish discusses his injury, from ESPN.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): No longer trying to right ship gave Tyler Chatwood confidence to ‘Let It Eat’. “What would have been a laughable concept a year ago has become plausible due to a few mechanical tweaks and a little confidence.” Patrick Mooney {$} has some Chatwood too.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Craig Kimbrel is another looming issue for this Cubs team, but it’s not game over yet. “It’s the nature of the season, it seems,” Maddon said. More Kimbrel from Mark Gonzales.
• Todd Rosiak (Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel*): Return to Miller Park ‘going to be kind of weird’ for new Cubs catcher Jonathan Lucroy. “I know the Cubs travel deep. I know Brewers fans are going to show up.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): David Bote, who homered in his return from Iowa, has been one of the Cubs’ best hitters for three months. “Bote is now hitting .266/.362/.449 on the year, good for a 110 wRC+.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs shortstop Javier Baez to undergo an MRI on his ailing left thumb: ‘We need to find out for sure what we’re dealing with’. “Maddon said he has no issues with Baez’ headfirst slides.”
• Paul Lukas (Sports Illustrated*): ‘It’s My One Claim to Fame’: The untold story of the Cubs’ black cat jinx. “Take a closer look at the scene and you’ll notice another person in a Cubs uniform standing off to Santo’s side.”
• Cubs birthdays: Curt Davis, Reggie Otero, Wade Rowdon, Mark Prior, Wade Davis.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.