Cub Tracks pours it on

The simCubs were once again victorious and their record is now 28-11. That is approximately (one game played difference) the same as the real-world 2016 Championship squad.

But they’re not satisfied. They grind opposing pitchers down to nubbins. Everybody has a six-pitch at-bat every time, seemingly. This even though they don’t walk a ton. That’s largely a function of their power, as the Cubs lineup can take you deep, top to bottom, and they often do.

That ability was demonstrated against Stephen Strasburg. The Cubs handed him his first defeat, courtesy of three solo homers (by Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber) and a groundout to short by Ian Happ. Jon Lester was spectacular for seven innings, giving way to Jason Heyward’s bat (he doubled but didn’t score) and Dillon Maples’ arm. Maples threw a strong inning and Craig Kimbrel worked his way toward his 13th save.

The two clubs play again today, with Patrick Corbin slated to oppose Tyler Chatwood. They are in the best shape of their lives, and will be vying for the meat loaf, so expect plenty of fireworks.

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. There’s still not a ton of news, but the stuff we do have is pretty chewy.

• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): 2020 MLB season likely to come with more risk than first promised. “... it looks like it will become an economic decision over a health decision ...”
• John Williams (WGN-720): Chicago Cubs TV announcer Len Kasper gives a coronavirus outlook on baseball. Audio.
• Vinnie Duber (NBC Sports Chicago*): 2020 Major League Baseball Draft will reportedly have only five rounds. “... the league and the union could not come to an agreement on a 10-round draft ...”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Jon Lester would ‘love to’ stay with Cubs for rest of his career. “For me, I would really like to just stay here and finish it out and not have any more change,” he told Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies. Willson Contreras thinks Lester has a lot left in the tank.
• Greg Huss (Cubs Insider*): Let’s break down just how good top Cubs prospect Brennen Davis was in 2019. “Not only did Davis meet criteria that only 3% of Cubs players have met in the last 10 years, but he was easily the youngest to do so.”
• Meghan Montemurro (The Athletic {$}): The (future HOF) ‘throw-in’: What if Phillies never dealt Ryne Sandberg to Cubs? “... Sandberg doesn’t become a Cub without Larry Bowa.” Part of Do-Over week for those of you who sub. Good stuff!
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Sinclair paints rosy financial picture despite record fine, revenue hemorrhages due to RSN investment. “... when your team has been losing as often and as badly as Sinclair over the last few months, it’s important to accentuate the positive.”
• Randy White (Realtor.com*): Chicago Cubs manager David Ross buys $1.2M Tallahassee home. “Ross’s new abode boasts three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and over 3,400 square feet, on nearly an acre and a half of land.”
• Joe Guzzardi (Noozhawk*): Long ago, Chicago Cubs trained on Catalina Island. “For 30 years between 1921 and 1951 ...”
• Cubs birthdays: Gus Krock, Josh Reilly, Tommy Clarke, Billy Jurges, Sam Mejias, Laddie Renfroe, Dillon Maples. Also notable: Tony Gwynn HOF.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!