Cub Tracks drops one

Well, that didn’t go so well. But they play again today.

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.

‘‘Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now is going to take a lot of stress off everyone. We know we could still get COVID, but I feel we’ve done a really good job at eliminating a lot of the outside variables. Getting to the homestretch . . . it will be good for guys to kind of exhale a little bit. That would be a sign of good things to come.’’ — Anthony Rizzo.

• Brian Sandalow (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): The absence of Rowan Wick poses challenge for Cubs as postseason looms. “Somebody will have to step up. We’ll find out who that is,” David Ross said.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ David Ross ‘not a fan’ of commissioner’s long-term playoff preference. “I’m on record with saying that early on when this all started: Let’s put some value into making the postseason and not water down the pool.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): In a postseason unlike any other, any small advantage could be the difference. “There’s no waiting for the game to be over, it’s in-game, on-the-fly adjustments,” said Anthony Rizzo.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs should be adding two lefties to pen soon, so how do they make room? “... probably means optioning Josh Osich and Rex Brothers.”
• Mike Berardino (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Shot at all-city Series has Rizzo excited. ‘‘It’s a long way away to getting there, but that would be something that would be very special to the city, for sure,’’ Rizzo said.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Yu Darvish, Kyle Hendricks, others mic’d up in fun video. “The Cubs have notoriously had one of the louder dugouts this season, cheering each other on to provide their own energy.”
• John Foley (Twinkie Town): Scouting by the numbers: Chicago Cubs. “A day late analytic preview, Games 53-55, September 18-20.” Andy Martinez scouted the Twins.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Are the New York Mets going to target Theo Epstein as their new president? “The time for a transition is just going to make too much sense, as much as that may bother many fans.”
• Cubs birthdays: Larry Schlafly, Zeke Bonura, Randy Kramer,

SimNews:

The simCubs won in walk-off fashion in 12 innings as Jason Heyward lined a drive to left-center with Javier Baez on third base and two outs. The exciting contest featured clutch hitting, questionable management decisions by Brandon Palmer (pinch-running for Kris Bryant?), and just a lot of really good pitching by both sides. It was too bad that someone had to lose but the good guys won. KB and Kyle Schwarber hit balls out of the yard, as did Rockies center-fielder Raimel Tapia, who is rapidly becoming a pain in the keister.

Today Ryan Yarbrough will face Jon Gray, trying to win his 19th game. The Cubs will have the brooms out, looking for #108. Game time is noon CT (unless otherwise noted). Six games remain — all game video and related material is available commercial-free, 24/7, at the BCB Media Center.

The sim-Iowa Cubs won against the Oklahoma City Dodgers and move on to face the sim-LeHigh Valley Iron Pigs. Max Fried allowed two runs in seven innings’ work and took home the victory. Brennen Davis was 4 for 5 and drove in two of the I-Cubs’ four runs.