Cub Tracks is swamped

Tuesday’s sim game made the first page of my search for Cubs news. So did Sara’s Diary. Go us!

“We have met the enemy, and he is Walt Kelly” — Pogo Possum

In our continuation of the 2020 sim-season, the sim-Cubs failed to win all three games over the sim-Pirates in the home-opening series, winning only two out of three, and that leaves the club in first place in the NL Central going forward, at 4-2.

Oh, Bryzzo tried hard to pull the game out but Rowan Wick had other ideas and so the Jolly Roger was raised over Wrigley, at which point it was promptly pulled down and used for masks. The agony of de feet is applicable, as it’s hard to walk on air forever, but the Cubs won’t be stranded in the mire forever. Here are some highlights:

But all good things must come to an end and so our heroes prepare to face the sim-DBacks, who come into town on an off-day, bedecked in their scales, to face the Cubs. We’ll have the first game of the series tomorrow at 3 p.m. Central. All games are available after streaming at the BCB Media Center. Thanks for watching!

Now, to rake the muck, and in the event that you’re here for the main event, here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes, the only links column that really matters. 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.

• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): From passing beers down the row to throwing back home-run balls, these new rules may be necessary when fans return to ballparks. “... some changes will have to be instituted to ensure the health and safety of players and fans alike.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Fast or furious? Rush to play in 2020 not worth the risk for Cubs, MLB. “It’s scary,” Cubs right fielder Jason Heyward said during an interview on WMVP 1000 radio the week after MLB shut down spring training camps. “You don’t prepare for stuff like this.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Report: MLB mulling 100-Game season starting July 1, No ASG, World Series in LA. “According to Matt Spiegel of 670 The Score...”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): An arm injury followed by MLB’s shutdown set back Manuel Rodriguez. But the Cubs still see the prospect as a force in the bullpen. “... Rodriguez’s recovery could create particular interest for the Cubs once workouts resume.”

• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs’ Top 5 first basemen: Bastian’s take. 1. Anthony Rizzo, 2012-19. Key fact: 217 homers lead all Cubs first basemen.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Perspective, action in a crisis? Rizzo eyed big picture before hiatus. “... at least give Rizzo credit for confidence and big talk.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Jason Kipnis airs concerns over challenges players will face when MLB returns. “... even with a second quasi-spring training, players may have a hard time playing catch up ...” Sure. Essentially they’re all gonna be Craig Kimbrel. Cubs Insider comments.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Will Kyle Schwarber’s 2019 success continue, or was it just a fluke? “Last season, Schwarber managed to have less drastic peaks and valleys with his contact rate.”
• Pete Byrne (WSBT): MLB extends support to minor leaguers through May. Joe Hart, president of the South Bend Cubs, is interviewed.
• Joon Lee (ESPN*): The inside story of the first MLB player traded during the coronavirus pandemic. “Jhonny Pereda thought the call was a prank.”
• Cubs birthdays: Jack Harper, Joe Stanley, Art Ceccarelli, Dick Radatz, Hector Cruz, Al Nipper, Jon Lieber, Hisanori Takahashi.Also notable: Hughie Jennings (HoF), Luke Appling (HoF), Don Sutton (HoF).
• Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. Rants and raves at medium.