Cub Tracks fumbles the exchange

Well, the Cubs got a touchdown, but the Reds kicked four field goals. I almost turned the tv off but the game got interesting and Cincinnati nearly succeeded in their attempt to give the game away. Al will have details in his recap.

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.

• Ronald Blum (AP via Chicago Tribune* {$}): MLB doubleheaders could get shortened to 7-inning games. “Right now, I don’t think it’s necessary based on how this season has been set up,” Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said. “If the doubleheaders were to pile up for whatever reason, I would have it like in a contingency plan.”
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Reds’ COVID-19 protocol appeal: David Ross isn’t worried about effect on Cubs. “...outfielder Steven Souza Jr. called the Marlins’ outbreak a “wakeup call.””
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Starting pitching and bats give Cubs a hot start, reasons for optimism. “We got a really good offense,” Ross said.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ rotation continues to be bright spot early in the season. “The starting rotation has a 1.80 ERA through five games.” Gordon Wittenmyer has more coverage of the bullpen.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Alec Mills slowing curve as he runs with opportunity to prove he belongs. “... something seems to change when he pitches at the highest level.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): José Quintana ‘looked good’ in first bullpen session following surgery. “The next step, which could come Saturday, is to throw a simulated inning with hitters in the box.”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): So, we should talk about Kyle Ryan’s first two outings. “... the data are so extreme that it bears noting right away.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Castellanos caught stealing by Willson Contreras, brother has great reaction. “... his brother, Ryan, didn’t hold back on Twitter with his reaction to the play.”
• NBC Sports Chicago*: Cubs Infielder Nico Hoerner achieves rare feat early in MLB career. “Hoerner is just the fourth player in club history to knock in 20 RBI’s in his first 24 games ...”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): After fighting through major injuries — and waiting out the COVID-19 shutdown — Souza Jr. has settled in with the Cubs. “Getting on the field was just the start, but being able to say I made it back was just a huge accomplishment.”
• Lindsay Adler (The Athletic {$}): What if the Yankees had chosen Eloy Jiménez over Gleyber Torres? “Trading away Torres was the Cubs going all-in on 2016.”
• Cubs birthdays: Tod Brynan, Bill Merritt, Paul Minner, Bill Moisan, Steve Trout, Scott Fletcher, Todd Haney, Calvin Murray, Oswaldo Mairena, Also notable: Casey Stengel HOF.

SimNews:

The simCubs ran their winning streak to five games and simKB ran his hitting streak to 17 games. Jon Lester pitched well in winning his 13th game of the year and simSchwarber and simWillieC whacked back-to-back jacks that held up for a 3-1 win, with simKimbrel pocketing his league-leading 35th save. Indeed the Giants flailed helplessly until the 5th and it was beginning to look like no-no town until a clean single broke up those thoughts.

Still, a satisfying outcome for the 77-31 (!) simCubs. Kyle Hendricks goes for his 14th today against Drew Smyly (5-5, 4.27). Jason Heyward and Kyle Schwarber will be on the bench against the lefty and Nico Hoerner and Albert Almora Jr., will play. The simCubs will be looking to sweep the Giants at Oracle Park, and a glance into my crystal ball says they have a sporting chance. As always, games and other video are available at the BCB Media Center.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. Keep them cards and letters coming.