Cub Tracks sees stars

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we like to keep things brief on the principle that it makes us appear wise. We don’t always, but we like to.

The Cubs have now managed to lose four consecutive series and haven’t looked particularly good during that period, except for a game here and there, and there are people out jostling for elbow room on the ledge. A person could hardly be blamed for supposing that Saturday’s game was an aberration, given the silent bat treatment the Cubs have displayed in the bulk of their contests so far.

The understaffed Braves delivered the TKO Sunday night in an execrable display made worse by the abysmal telecast.

Six games left to the homestand. Do the Cubs (6-9) get off the canvas against the Mets (7-4)? These and other questions remain unanswered. Jake Arrieta (3-1, 2.18) and shoulda-been-a-Cub Taijuan Walker (0-0, 2.61) are scheduled to start.

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• Chicago Tribune* {$}: Chicago sports teams and the COVID-19 vaccine: Who is getting the shots and what does it mean for fans. “As availability of the COVID-19 vaccine expands throughout the country, sports teams, players and fans all could see an impact.”
• Phil Rosenthal (Chicago Tribune* {$}): ‘It is hard to win championships at the big-league level,’ and other things ESPN’s Álex Rodríguez said during the Chicago Cubs’ Sunday night loss to the Atlanta Braves. “Easier said than done.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs continue descent on national TV as MLB’s elite teams move on without them. “... the Cubs have stalled, particularly on offense.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Why Braves series was so important for the 2021 Cubs. “A chance to relax and settle in to the mindset of a marathon six-month season instead of a two-month, hair-on-fire sprint.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Early is about to get late fast for Cubs. “It’s going to be a long year. We know that. Even if we got off to a blazing hot start, it’s still going to be a long year. That’s the beauty of this game,” said Anthony Rizzo.
• Jared Wyllys (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs relying on experience to overcome slow start. ‘‘We’ve got a lot of veterans; we don’t have many young guys,’’ manager David Ross said.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Kyle Hendricks doomed by 4-homer first inning. “It just wasn’t his night,” Ross said. “Couldn’t find it.” Paul Sullivan has a recommendation.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Willson Contreras has done his part. Now it’s up to the rest of the Chicago Cubs to join in. “He is emotional,” former Cubs manager Joe Maddon once said.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago* {$}): Cubs should start trying now to lock up Contreras. “... what’s certain is that he’s an elite catcher both as a hitter and an increasingly skilled defender/receiver.

• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): As always, Rizzo will rake if you give him enough time. “Five games ago, Rizzo was hitting just .118/.225/.235 with a 33 wRC+, 67% worse than league average.”
• Brian McGrath (MLB.com*): ‘Frederick!’ Rizzo chases down Freeman. “Freddie, we hardly knew ya.”
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Insider*): When will Cubs have prospects ready to help in Chicago? “... most of the Cubs’ top position-player prospects were acquired over the past three years and are on track to be ready in the second half of 2022 or the beginning of 2023.”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.