Cub Tracks darns those Sox

The simCubs earned a split in their series with the White Sox by falling 3-2 in 12 innings. Ian Happ and Javier Baez swatted solo homers but that wasn’t enough as the Cubs failed repeatedly with risp, especially against former Cubs farmhand Dylan Cease, who did everything he could to get them the lead except grab a bat, but in the end prevailed out of dumb luck.

Woulda coulda shoulda. Nice tater shots though.

No game today. Friday the Cubs start a three-game with the Braves, who are atop the East, heading into the All-Star break. We’ll have current standings and league leaders available later today, and 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.

• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): 5 takeaways from Chicago Cubs camp, including Craig Kimbrel’s comfort with his changeup and Anthony Rizzo’s continued absence with a stiff back. “If it’s a pitch I can get someone to swing and miss or hit a ground ball, I’m definitely going to try out and use it in a game. I’m trying to get outs any way I can,” said Kimbrel.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Ross: Kimbrel ‘really good’ in bullpen session. “All good with Craig,” Ross said. Sahadev Sharma {$} has a few words. Brett Taylor disagrees.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Kyle Ryan expected to arrive in Chicago on Thursday, begin intake testing. “The Cubs are believed to be the only National League team with no positive COVID-19 tests among players and staff.” Steve Greenberg has more.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs focused on staying healthy and preparing for the unexpected. “I think one of the challenges we have in general, is people have very different views of the virus,” Jed Hoyer said.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs release reliever Brandon Morrow after 2 injury-plagued seasons. “We didn’t see a realistic scenario where he would contribute this year,” Cubs President Theo Epstein said after the summer roster was announced.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Kris Bryant on Cubs: ‘I really love it here’. “It would be really cool to just have everybody stay here and play together and see what we’ve got,” Bryant said.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Slugger Kyle Schwarber is preparing for any role with the Chicago Cubs — including DH: ‘I’m going to be ready when I’m called on’. Steve Greenberg reports also. “... as long as the name’s penciled in — and even if it’s not — I’m still going to be ready when [my] name’s called upon.” Jordan Bastian has more.
• Alex Shapiro (NBC Sports Chicago*): Jason Heyward gifts custom sandals to Chicago Cubs teammates. Togas are next?
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation): Top Chicago Cubs Prospect Brennen Davis is ready for his unique 2020 development. “I use my instincts really well and that helps me succeed.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): These 5 less obvious prospects might find their way to South Bend later this month. “We should find out in relatively short order how many spots the Cubs have left ...”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs missing boat by not offering fans option to buy cardboard cutouts. “They’re already pumping in fake fan noise, so why not have the fake fans to go with it?”
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): The new PECOTA Projections are out for the short season. “... the Reds are the party that comes out on top.”
• Cubs birthdays: Jimmy Cooney, Dave Shean, Buck Herzog, Buck Herzog, Gene Fodge, Willie Wilson, Guy Hoffman, Miguel Montero. Also notable: Tommy Hottovy.

Food for thought:

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