Cub Tracks wants to bring baseball back

The simCubs dropped the first game of the weekend set 5-4 to the simBrewers as Jedd Gyorko jacked one out of Miller Park off of Kyle Ryan and the Cubs were unable to score enough to overcome it. Willson Contreras was thrown out at third on a play that should have gone the other way, an that turned out to be pivotal. Nico Hoerner was again clutch, driving in the go-ahead (at that time) run as a pinch-hitter.

That caused a bit of a bullpen shakeup and Ryan and Dillon Maples are on their way to Iowa. Southpaw Tyler Olson and oft-injured fireballer Brandon Morrow are probably in Milwaukee buy now to replace them in the pen. Both have been lights-out in Iowa. Morrow will set up Craig Kimbrel and Olson will be the fourth man in middle relief.

The trade winds are blowing, but according to GM Al, are blowing around deck chairs on the Titanic, so we have nothing to announce as yet.

Ryan Yarbrough will be facing Adrian Houser in the middle game. Al will have more 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.

• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why one medical expert remains skeptical of MLB’s COVID-19 precautions. “... should we feel any better — or feel that players will be any safer — about starting the season during this pandemic than we did a week ago?”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Sources: The Cubs’ return-to-play plans are taking shape. “... the Cubs would prefer to hold their preseason camp in Chicago, assuming local authorities approve those plans.” Michael Cerami unpacks. Ronald Blum also addresses this.
• Godon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why Cubs, MLB might face 2020 season without key players and what it means. “... the union considers an important part of any agreement be protections for an individual who may choose to opt out of playing during the pandemic.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Jeremy Jeffress’ food truck serves meals to front line. “The food truck that Jeffress helps run has its roots in his childhood.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo to test cooking skills in virtual class with renowned chef. “... the Cubs’ first baseman will prepare Italian dishes under Chef Giuseppe Tentori‘s tutelage.”
• Phil Rogers (Forbes*): Don’t expect the Cubs will use Kyle Schwarber as their regular DH. “Bradford Doolittle states the Cubs should be able to “bolster both their offense and defense’’ by switching the modern Greg Luzinski but on paper that doesn’t appear to be a given.”
• Dawn Klemish (MLB.com*): These are the best gloves in the NL Central. “Javier Báez led all Major League infielders with 19 outs above average in 2019.”
• Madeleine Kenney (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Joe Maddon to discuss Game 7 of 2016 World Series on live stream to benefit COVID-19 relief. “Maddon ... will join reporter Bob Costas on Cameo next week to discuss Game 7 of the 2016 World Series...”
• Cubs birthdays: Algie McBride, Duke Brett, Augie Galan, Ricky Gutierrez. Also notable: Zack Wheat HOF.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.