Cub Tracks’ Mayday

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. Mostly we crack wise, but we are trying.

Could we interest you in something in wicker?

But seriously, folks. The healthy Matt Duffy is paying dividends. Trying to hit base hits seems to be bankable also. There’s no accounting for the sudden demise of Ian Happ’s bat but it gets him a seat on the pine for now, until he too begins making regular deposits into the outfield grass. Jake Marisnick makes good contact and brings that glove to the party (usually).

I could get used to this scoring early thing, bit it would be nice to score in the middle innings and late, too. Let’s just say that I have an interest in winning. A healthy Jake Arrieta seems to be paying off, too (most of the time). There’s no accounting for random factors — the Cubs need to control what they can.

Let’s hope Willson Contreras is okay. “Mild right thigh tightness”, the Cubs say.

How about that ninth inning? Arg. So much woulda shoulda coulda.

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• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): No guarantee Cubs will reach 85 percent vaccine threshold. “We were close to 80 (percent) last time I checked,” Cubs manager David Ross said Friday.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs starting rotation boasts some of the most effective sliders in baseball, but they have a long way to go. “The reality is it isn’t all bad — despite some ugly ERAs, Arrieta isn’t alone in finding success.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs desperately need Kyle Hendricks to bounce back after ‘Low Point’. “I’ve got to simplify my mental approach and just get back to attacking at the bottom of the zone.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Don’t blame Zach Davies for Cubs woes; blame owners. “This is what it looks like when a big-market team plays small-market baseball for the second time in less than a decade.”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}: Adbert Alzolay coming into his own at right time for Cubs. “Alzolay allowed two runs over a career-high six innings and had the first quality start of his career in the Cubs’ 9-3 win over the Braves.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Matt Duffy is finding success with the Chicago Cubs after injuries bounced him around MLB — and gave him a new perspective on being a big-leaguer. “There are moments Duffy can’t believe this is what he does for a living.” Russell Dorsey also has words.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Iowa Cubs initial roster released, mostly porting over the alternate site crew. “... you won’t find an overload of traditional prospects.”
• Bryan Smith (Bleacher Nation*): There’s going to be a lot of velocity from the High-A South Bend Cubs this year. “... a lot of 96+ MPH...”
• Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo and Sam Dykstra (MLB.com*): Prospects we’re excited to see in 2021. “The best true shortstop in the 2020 Draft...”

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading.