Cub Tracks takes second

The sim Cubs took the second of the three-game set against the sim Brewers and will go for the sweep today. Kris Bryant provided all of the groove the Cubs needed with a fourth-inning rocket to left-center with the bags juiced after Ian Happ had twice struck out in the same situation in the first and third, and the progression toward an eventual victory commenced inexorably as Kyle Hendricks was making overtures toward a Maddux until his movement was interrupted by a couple of Brewer doubles that resulted in runs and the Professor’s getting some rest, with his effort being a mere quality start instead of a masterpiece. The bullpen conducted themselves well and the eventual result was music to my ears. Plus, the Brewers charted four explosive hits in nine innings off the Cubs’ staff and that ain’t a bad note to end on.

Today Ryan Yarbrough (13-4) faces Freddy Peralta (4-4) at 3 p.m. CT, with the game post debuting at 2:30. All game video and related material is available commercial-free, 24/7 at the BCB Media Center. No game Monday.

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.

“Based on the information MLB has shared with us, postponing this series is a necessary step to protect the health and safety of the Cardinals and the Cubs ... While it’s obviously less than ideal, this is 2020 and we will embrace whatever steps are necessary to promote player and staff well being and increase our chances of completing this season in safe fashion.” — Theo Epstein.

• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ ‘super frightening’ close call in St. Louis shows how fragile season is. “It’s just another one of those reminders of how quick things can get out of control right now in this environment,” said David Ross.
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): How Ross will keep the Cubs focused following this weekend’s postponed Cardinals series: ‘This season is really a year of who can adjust to adversity and change’. “I’m not going to start complaining about the fairness or unfairness of the season,” he said.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ fast start is on hold as the Cardinals’ outbreak widens. “As president of baseball operations Theo Epstein keeps saying, the pandemic is in control.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Ross on the pause in play, plans for the weekend, and the Cardinals. Jordan Bastian tweets all in a row and some thoughts.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs’ Ross upbeat despite postponed series. “It’s 2020, where we know we’ve got to take it one day at a time,” Ross said.
• Rusell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs plan workouts to stay sharp with weekend series postponed due to COVID-19. “The Cubs will have workouts on Sunday and Monday before heading to Cleveland Tuesday morning to face the Indians.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs will ‘wait and see what happens’ as they adjust to a disrupted weekend. More of the subject du jour.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Willson Contreras contributing to Cubs with offense and defense. “Contreras proved his summer performances were just the appetizer in the gourmet meal that has been his 2020 season.”

Cubs birthdays: Ted Simmons HOF, Junior Kennedy, Steve Swisher, Bob Scanlan, Pat Mahomes, Ben VanRyn, Jason Heyward.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading !