Two-out, two-strike magic!#ElMago #WhereStoriesPlay pic.twitter.com/NWc02MeW7O
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 17, 2020
Truly words cannot do justice to the things that Javier Baez can accomplish. It isn’t just that he does the things he does, but that he is so often in position to do them. That’s part of the magic, too.
Javy is the ultimate chaos above replacement player.
— Sara Sanchez (@BCB_Sara) September 17, 2020
Jon Lester tried to regain his own magic. Looked good for the second game in a row. That’d be a big boost to the playoff chances, if big Jon could be most of his former self. Not a ‘quality start’ but a quality start, and a step in the right direction.
.@javy23baez walks us off! Cubs win!
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 17, 2020
Final (10): #Cubs 3, Cleveland 2. pic.twitter.com/m8qc3hwW8v
I got a kick out of Taylor McGregor getting all over the field, up in the scoreboard, all of that. I don’t know whether I prefer her to Kelly Crull, but I like them both. (Flat-out) Much better than Heidi Watney on The Show anyway. I like Heidi too but those spots are gawdawful and you can’t fast-forward or skip them. I have seen those spots more than any human should have to.
The Cubs barreled all night but a lot of those were atom balls. Aaron Civale was as good as advertised. Willson Contreras was a hit, I mean he was hit.
Willson Contreras takes over the MLB lead in hit-by-pitches. His 11th comes via a Civale sinker off the elbow guard in the 4th.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 17, 2020
Al will have details in his recap — I needn’t drone on and on.
Drone above Wrigley, game is delayed #Cubs pic.twitter.com/aUs1RbjBWT
— Crawly's Cubs Kingdom (@crawlyscubs) September 17, 2020
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.
Cubs player rep Ian Happ (not complaining)on the playoff protocols:"There's some wording in there about having to ask for permission to go on a walk. Feels more like a zoo animal than a baseball player or a human. There's a lot of those challenges guys are going to have to face."
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) September 16, 2020
While it’s virtual, it’s still all smiles as @ARizzo44 and @ATMills37 visited local hospitals today! pic.twitter.com/KhlzDXSzMV
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 16, 2020
Don’t freak out over the prospect of expanded playoffs just yet. Column: https://t.co/Riq9FyxReR
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 17, 2020
- Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): As the Cubs close in on a playoff berth, they look ahead — anxiously — to potential bubble life: ‘It’s definitely going to be a lot different’. “... a transition period will begin next week, with a traveling party of up to 90 members required to stay in a hotel.”
- Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs-Indians game delayed as drone hovers above Wrigley Field. “Just another completely normal, nothing new moment to add to the list for 2020.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Yu Darvish hopes to rebound from ‘Terrible’ start Tuesday night. “We are in a good spot right now,” Darvish said of the Cubs’ postseason chances. “I hope I can pitch in the playoffs and pitch better than before.”
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs and Lester confident he has righted the ship. “I don’t wanna say we reinvented the wheel and found some magical cure or anything but the adjustments that we did make in my bullpen were — the stuff just translated better.”
- Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Could Cubs left-hander Andrew Chafin return from IL for Twins Series? “Chafin pitched a simulated game on Wednesday, throwing about 20-23 pitches, according to Cubs general manager David Ross.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Two lefties working their way back to the Cubs bullpen: Jose Quintana and Chafin. “Each ... are plausible bullpen contributors down the stretch and into the postseason.”
We just want to talk about these Jason Adam curveballs real quick. pic.twitter.com/zuMJ68jpET
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 17, 2020
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Can the Cubs’ offensive core finally get hot at the same time? “... the Cubs’ bats will be what determines how far this team can go.”
- Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs hoping work on the bases pay big dividends down the stretch. “We try to talk about responsible baserunning,” Ross said. Jordan Bastian reports on this also.
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Contreras is fighting for every pitch as the playoffs approach for Cubs. “Contreras is a good student and a good teammate who sometimes needs to make sure his emotions are channeled in the right direction.”
- Lance Brozdowski (Marquee Sports Network*): Deep Dive: Victor Caratini impacts all facets of the game for Cubs. “Caratini’s fingerprints are all over the defining storylines of the Cubs’ 2020 season.”
- Cubs birthdays: Frank Schulte, Earl Webb, Sheriff Blake, Jim Woods, Thad Bosley, Dan Haren. Also notable: Butts Wagner, Farmer Ray, Orlando Cepeda HOF.
SimNews:
The simCubs are still stuck on 104 after Wednesday’s 8-2 drubbing at the hands of Trevor Williams and the Pirates. It’s no longer possible for Kyle Hendricks to win 20 and his pitching in the next two turns will depend on the progress of the Triple-A playoffs (currently Iowa and Reno are tied at one). Jon Lester will try to win his 14th today and start a new winning streak.
Ryan Tepera and Jeremy Jeffress have switched places for a few days, so that Tepera can get a little rest before the playoffs. Game time is 3 p.m. CT unless otherwise noted. All game video and related material is available commercial-free, 24/7, at the BCB Media Center.
Food for Thought:
What drives a food’s smell and taste — genetics, or the environment in which it was born and raised? #longreads https://t.co/wEtgRHRw4g
— Science News (@ScienceNews) September 16, 2020
The same implants could potentially treat paralysis as well. https://t.co/jAwvI1pl1x
— Futurism (@futurism) September 15, 2020
How the avocado still exists in the wild after surviving its evolutionary failures remains a puzzle. #NationalGuacamoleDay https://t.co/MxbHWrgwLh
— Smithsonian Magazine (@SmithsonianMag) September 16, 2020
Thanks for reading. Let’s raise a toast to avocados!