Cub Tracks is mad about Yu

Let me put you in the picture:

That Willson Contreras, guy, he’s pretty good. Glad Pedro Strop didn’t go to da South Side. The Daniel Vogelbach experience is at Wrigley North now.

I still regard suits as an aberration. They should be abolished, like ranch dressing and IPAs.

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’s day to day. I know just, the eye is still coming back. I think it’s going to be fine. It’s just, with everything he’s gone through today, I just don’t think it’s smart to start him.” — David Ross, on Ian Happ.

The Cubs released right-handed relievers Cody Allen and A.J. Ramos on Thursday from the South Bend group. On Friday, Ross said the team’s evaluators did not believe either reliever would be able to impact the Major League bullpen.

“Their stuff wasn’t quite ready in their eyes,” Ross said. “I listen to the feedback from that group there and what they’re watching and seeing. And they felt like they weren’t ready to contribute here for the big club. So, I trust in that group over there and their decision-making.” — Jordan Bastian.

I’m about good vibes, good energy, putting the team first. That’s a big part of why I’m here right now.” — Cameron Maybin.

• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘It feels like September’: 5-game Cubs-Cardinals series could go a long way toward deciding the NL Central. “After a 5-5 trip, the Cubs hope they can hold off the Cardinals.”
• (Bleacher Nation*): Adbert Alzolay will start Game 1 of the Double-Header with a “Bullpen Day” for Game 2. Yu Darvish was most cooperative in the effort to save the bullpen. Adbert has a new pitch, says Brendan Miller.
• Jesse Roger (ESPN*): Inside Darvish’s return to elite status as the Chicago Cubs’ ace. “He’s just at a point where he’s really comfortable in who he is,” Cubs manager David Ross said. “There’s so much to be said for that.”

• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Duane Underwood Jr., coming off 3 scoreless outings, is ‘coming into his own’ in the Cubs bullpen. “He’s coming into his own of knowing what he needs to do to have success,” manager David Ross said of Underwood, a second-round pick in the 2012 draft. Evan Altman talks about this too.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Anthony Rizzo is such a good dude that even the Reds’ ground crew likes him. “... Rizzo did a jersey exchange for a grounds crew polo.”
• Lance Brozdowski (Marquee Sports Network*): Deep Dive: Happ’s game-changing defense.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Quiet leader: Jason Heyward is Clemente nominee. “Heyward has embraced playing in Chicago and has sought ways to help communities around the city, having action follow his words.” Maddie Lee adds on. Andy Martinez has words too.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Maybin wants to lend his voice to ‘voiceless’ communities. “Maybin is a founder of The Players Alliance, a group of over 100 Black current and former professional baseball players committed to increasing opportunities for Black communities.” Patrick Mooney {$} talks Maybin.
• Dick Kaegel (St Louis Post-Dispatch*): Gibby’s last game: Some Cubs say he was ‘just going through the motions’. “Of course, he’s so relaxed he looks like that all the time when he’s out there,” said Bill Madlock.
• Cub birthdays: Ed Stein, Lefty Leifield, Candy Maldonado, Cliff Bartosh, Jeff Stevens, Tyler Colvin. Also notable: Nap Lajoie HOF, Bill Mazeroski HOF.

SimNews:

The simCubs came away with the victory in game one of three as Sonny Gray pitched extremely well and limited the Cubs to two first-inning runs. Yu Darvish, however, was more better and pitched his way to double digits in wins, allowing only a Mike Moustakas long ball in the top of the second to score the Reds run. Craig Kimbrel resumed tallying up saves and all was well in simworld for a day.

Steven Souza Jr. has been brought up, and Max Fried dispatched to Iowa, for his turn in the rotation there. September rosters are only expanded by two players, so we’re rotating as needed.

Today’s game, with Jon Lester going for his 14th win, facing Anthony Desclafani, will ‘air’ at 11 am. CT to allow room for the realCubs telecast(s). All game video and related material is available commercial-free, 24/7, at the BCB Media Center.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.