Cub Tracks is not in camp yet

Well, it’s good to have news about baseball even if there isn’t any actual season yet. And if baseball is actually to happen, then from some perspectives, that would be good, too, however unlikely it is.

If not, there will be a simseason. All of the games will get played and posted at the Media Center, and we will continue to livestream them until I am notified to cease.

In today’s contest, the simCubs face the simChiSox on da South Side, where I was brought up, and I will certainly root against the White Sox, as I have since I was small. Kyle Hendricks (11-3, 2,90) will attempt to school Dallas Keuchel (9-7, 2.96) in what promises to be a fine game. Al will have more about the game in the game post at 2:30 p.m. CT, and then 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.

• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ early schedule is favorable, but watch out for divisional games. “... the Cubs need to get off to a good start to assert themselves in the race to October ...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs host Crew on July 24 for 2020 opener. “The Cubs will open their tour on July 24 at 6:10 p.m. CT at home and on ESPN against the Brewers, who will remain in Chicago for three games to start this unique slate.”
• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): The Cubs need more than an Opening Day starter. They need an ace — and it has to be Yu Darvish. “If Darvish shoulders more of the weight himself and finally comes through? Game-changer. It is, after all, why he’s here.” Patrick Mooney {$} thought similarly.
• Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Tyler Chatwood locked into starting role — just ask him. “His best couple of months in a Cubs uniform would certainly change the narrative.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Kyle Ryan not yet at Cubs Camp because of “technicalities” related to health and safety protocol. “... he is throwing, but he’s not in camp yet.”

• Jon Greenberg (The Athletic {$}): Can the Cubs turn Wrigley Field into their ‘safe zone’? “... in the end, it comes down to the players and their own comfort and their collective buy-in to an unsettling and unsettled season.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Kris Bryant on fatherhood, social distance at camp. “I go home every day and I just think, ‘What if I were to get it and bring it home?’” Bryant said. Gordon Wittenmyer has additional thoughts from Bryant. Jesse Rogers chimes in. Steve Greenberg adds on. Patrick Mooney {$} tops it off.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 4 takeaways from Chicago Cubs summer camp, including Bryant’s wish to stay here and Albert Almora Jr.’s COVID-19 concern for his father in Florida. “I feel like it’s a little insensitive to be talking about big dollars and stuff like that when people are losing their jobs and their lives and stuff like that,” Bryant said, alluding to the coronavirus pandemic. More with David Ross.
• Shannon Ryan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Let’s face it — our break from sports needs to last longer. “Although it would be easy to continue in denial — after all, love is blind — the timing just isn’t right.”
• Cubs birthdays: Willard Mains, George Moriarty, Billy Herman HOF. Also notable: Satchel Paige HOF.

Food for thought:

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