Cub Tracks left out

No simCubs Wednesday or today. Cubs intrasquad game, which I didn’t see. Yay Marquee Network. Yay YouTube TV. At least I held back from shelling out for MLB.TV, so I’m not out any funds.

The scribes hath given forth their impressions of the team so far. I’d like to see for myself as I think it’s the only baseball that’s going to happen for about a year and a half (let’s hope I’m wrong). We’ll have links to some of their thoughts. I missed some home runs, looks like. Yes I did.

There’ll be a game Friday — Al will have more about that game in the game post at 2:30 p.m. CT, 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.

• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why these Cubs look more equipped than most to handle coronavirus season. “whichever team has the fewest cases of coronavirus is going to win.” Anthony Rizzo says ‘more players will opt out’.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): The Chicago Cubs intrasquad telecast on Marquee Sports Network put me to sleep — and I can’t thank them enough. “There’s nothing quite as comforting as taking a nap during a baseball game in the middle of summer, then waking up knowing your trusted announcers will fill you in on anything you missed.”
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs manager David Ross is closer to announcing Opening Day starter. “I need to talk to my pitchers before I talk to you guys,” Ross said. Brandon Palmer was unavailable for comment. Jordan Bastian has remarks.
• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): For starters, at least Cubs’ Tyler Chatwood didn’t get booed after a bad day on the mound. “Ian Happ tagged him for a three-run homer. Willson Contreras crushed a Chatwood fastball high into the bleachers in left-center.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): José Quintana has stitches removed, will resume throwing Thursday. “There is no timetable for his return to the rotation at this point ...”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Can Duane Underwood Jr. finally put it together for the Cubs in 2020? “He’s been in our organization for a long time,” Tommy Hottovy said. Bryan Smith chimes in.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Willson Contreras will have to create his own electricity this season. “I got to think that there’s fans watching me from home. I know it’s different, but they’re still watching us. They’re still looking at us like heroes. I’ll be doing 110 percent.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): Yeesh, FanGraphs doesn’t have much love for the Cubs’ catching tandem. “I have a hard time believing the catching tandem of Contreras and Victor Caratini is going to rank …. 18th in all of MLB?!”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Rizzo doesn’t believe back issues warrant IL. “I think it’s still a little too early to make that decision,” Ross said. Mark Gonzales has more. Jesse Rogers’ rib tips. Patrick Mooney {$} drives them in.
• Cubs birthdays: Dad Clark, Lee Elia. Also notable: Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Food for thought:

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