Cub Tracks is still in the dark

The simCubs prevailed over the simDBacks 9-1 in a game that wasn’t that close. There was really very little drama, except to wonder whether or not Jose Quintana would be allowed to finish the game, and who would hit the next long drive. Even so, Q regains possession of the dreaded squirrel nuts as he gave up a long drive to Cole Calhoun.

That was all she wrote for the DBacks’ scoring offense as the Cubs pelted the Snakes with the long ball.

Today the simCubs face the SimDBacks in the third game of the four-game series looking to take the series. Jon Lester (4-2, 2.54) will take the hill against Robbie Ray (2-2, 4.04).

Al will have more information about that in the game post at 2:30 p.m. CT, for our 3 p.m. start. I’ll drop the specific URL to the contest in the game thread, but you can lurk at the BCB Media Center and catch it there as well. All past games and highlights reels are available there too, if you want the full #simCubs experience.

And now, 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.

• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lester says he’s willing to adjust to salvage the 2020 season: ‘I just want to play baseball’. “With the social distancing and all this other stuff going on, I’ve heard talks about the robot umpires.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): MLB umpires agree to take significant pay cut for 2020 season. “We are pleased we reached this agreement with the Commisioner’s office,” said umpire Bill Miller, president of the umpire’s union.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why Joe Maddon doesn’t fear coronavirus risk — and why it matters. “I want to believe if I were to contract it, I’d be able to fight it off.” He might need a vacation.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Players reportedly reject MLB’s first crack at a 2020 draft structure. Elaborating on Athletic article {$} by Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich. Evan Altman also offers thoughts.
• Manny Randhawa (MLB.com*): The best batting eyes in the NL Central. “... Anthony Rizzo had a 14 percent strikeout rate in ‘19, and he led Cubs regulars with an 82 percent contact rate...”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Brennen Davis, the Chicago Cubs’ 3rd-ranked prospect, is finding ways to stay in shape in Arizona — while also getting in lots of golf. “It hasn’t been hard to stay in shape,” he said.
• Steven Wine (AP via Chicago Tribune* {$}): Hall of Famer Andre Dawson witnesses the coronavirus toll firsthand as a mortician: ‘You see a lot of hurt and pain’. “Dawson, 65, entered the business in 2003, when he became an investor in his younger brother’s funeral home.”
• AP via Chicago Sun-Times* {$}: Woman sues Cubs, MLB after being hit in face by ball at Wrigley Field. “In her lawsuit, Laiah Zuniga says during a 2018 game the ball knocked her unconscious, caused fractures under both of her eyes and caused extensive damage to her teeth.”
• Cubs birthdays: Larry Cheney, Gale Staley, Keith Moreland, Jose Ascanio. Also notable: Eddie Collins HOF.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!