Cub Tracks plays out the string

The simCubs invaded the land of the Freeman and the home of the Braves and gave the Atlanta squad a big karate chop. It remains to be seen if the Barves have the gumption to fight back, or if the simCubs advance to the chance to sweep the leg Sunday.

Jon Lester finally went to eleven and Jason Kipnis shot three bolts into the right field stands, good for five RBI, with Ian Happ clubbing a couple of solo shots and Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo chipping in, the result being a convincing 11-5 victory against a first-place club.

Alec Mills will take the hill today against Mike Soroka. Al will have more about that game in the game post at 2:30 p.m. CT, Friday, after which I’ll post the actual URL to the stream at 3 p.m. CT. Or you can catch the game at the BCB Media Center and also catch past games and game videos, if you want the full #simCubs experience.

And now, here’s Cub Tracks 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.

Yu Darvish is hard as nails.

“It’s a fool’s errand, I think, to try to predict what next year would look like or the next five years. That’s just the reality of the world we’re in. But look, honestly, I appreciate Kris’ comments. I know he loves being here, and he knows that we love having him as part of the organization. But ... we’re at such a critical juncture that, as we sit here today on July 10, 2020, the currency of the game truly is health and safety.

“And soon, we’ll incorporate wins and losses as a secondary consideration and secondary form of currency. But, dollars and cents, to delve too deeply into that and discuss contractual situations, it gets to a point where it’s just, if you talk too much about it, it becomes inappropriate given the realities of everything going on in the world and where our focus truly is right now.” — Theo Epstein.

• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs COVID-19 tests return negative, Theo Epstein cautions against complacency. “We can’t allow the good results thus far to create the illusion that we’re in control,” Epstein said.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Epstein would be “Really, Really Surprised” if Cubs fans in the region can’t get Marquee for Opening Day. “... Epstein was quick to note that this is not his department.”
• Epstein: Adbert Alzolay’s tweet ‘inaccurate,’ wants players’ opinions heard. “The fact still remains that minor league players are underpaid and it’s not an ideal situation for them,” Epstein said.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Epstein: Cubs want players to express themselves, speak out against issues. “The concept of shutting up and dribbling — or shutting up and playing baseball, in this case — does not apply in this organization and I think it’s important that we pass on that message loud and clear.” Mark Gonzales has more.
• Marly Rivera (ESPN*): ‘I’ll miss the National League game’: NL managers weigh in on the universal DH. “I actually like the different strategies in the game, and I enjoyed managing in both leagues,” said Joe Girardi.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Notes: This Cub emerging as legit DH option. “Ross has raved about catcher Victor Caratini’s abilities in the batter’s box.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez is still waiting for a big payday, but signs of normalcy must precede his new contract: ‘I’m not in a rush’. “Obviously everyone wants to get paid,” Baez said Thursday. “But we’ve got to wait for the right time.” Evan Altman reports. Steve Greenberg does too. Patrick Mooney {$} fills the bases.
• Brendan Miller (Cubs Insider*): MLB bears responsibility for Cowboy Joe West possibly putting players, fellow umps at risk. “West’s comments are not just words, they are indicative of past and future actions.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Former top prospect Brett Jackson part of company helping Cubs understand weather’s effect on ball. This has been reported before an is a cool item. “They do this with computational fluid dynamics, which uses software to model how the flow of gas or liquids impacts objects.”
• Cubs birthdays: George Meakim, Pop Schriver, Jimmy Slagle, Harry Wolter, Hank Griffin.

Food for thought:

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