Cub Tracks missed Yu

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.

“He has stepped in and helped address some things that have been lingering for years, and for him to do that in the first two weeks (of the season) is really impressive.” — Theo Epstein on David Ross.

• Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): Cubs sizzle with renewed focus on results — and COVID-19 safety. “It’s easy to look at the stats and quickly tell why the Chicago Cubs are off to a fast start ...” Jordan Bastian feels the love.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Theo Epstein explains how changes in team dynamics have dugout ‘Alive Every Night’. “I think when you refer to a sum-of-the-parts issue, as you say, it’s really about the group as a whole coming together and the environment,” Epstein said.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs manager David Ross is on a roll, but these 2 ‘lingering’ issues still need to be addressed. Leadoff and the bullpen. Referring to Mark Gonzales article, among others. Sahadev Sharma {$} also has thoughts. Tony Andracki does, too.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs remain cautious with series against Cardinals scheduled to start Friday. “I think all that we can really do is worry about the Chicago Cubs,” left-hander Jon Lester said Saturday.
• Andrew Simon (MLB.com*): Is Tyler Chatwood’s breakout for real? “With a meaningful change to his repertoire and some promising numbers underlying his results, this long-awaited Chatwood breakout could be the real deal.”
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Inside the bullpen: What Cubs’ Craig Kimbrel is working on behind the scenes. “Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said the focus for Kimbrel, as he works through mechanical issues, is consistency.” Brendan Miller addresses this. Mark Gonzales has words.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Working the count: How the Cubs have put together a relentless lineup. “That tone was set on Opening Day.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Willson Contreras is hitting it harder than anyone. “... obviously he won’t stay at THIS level for long. But so far, so very good.”
• Alec Lewis and Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): How Stanford teammates Kris Bubic and Nico Hoerner made it to The Show so fast. “Those two guys stood out their whole career at Stanford,” former Stanford pitcher Michael Boden said.
• Cubs birthdays: Sam Mertes, Jack Wallace, Bobby Sturgeon, Dave Gerard, Joe Schaffernoth, Wayne Schurr, Ray Culp, Jim Dunegan, Ron Davis, Luis Vizcaino.

SimNews:

The simCubs succumbed to the advances of Felix Hernandez and the Braves and fell 5-4. Starter Max Fried allowed four earned runs in four innings, giving up two-run bombs to Charlie Culbertson and Marcell Ozuna. Fried wasn’t great but he wasn’t terrible — Ozuna is second in the league in home runs, two ahead of Rizzo. Fried did throw a ton of pitches, though, and nibbled a lot. The simCubs are still looking for a consistent fifth starter after Tyler Chatwood was consistently unable to get past the fourth inning and Brandon Palmer didn’t trust him to work out of jams.

Kyle Schwarber whacked a three-run bomb and Kris Bryant hit a sacrifice fly with nobody out and the bags jammed, but Javier Baez struck out and Schwarber’s long fly resulted in the third out. That strikeout turned out to be the pivotal moment of the game.

Cubs relief was mostly effective, but the one late run turned out to be the difference in a hard-fought game and the Braves bullpen was one better. Ryan Tepera took the loss and falls to 8-3.

Today Yu Darvish faces Mike Soroka in the fourth game of the series. Victor Caratini will be behind the plate and flash-frozen KB gets a day off as David Bote mans third base.

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading!