Cub Tracks is over the weather

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, here in the year of the no-hitter*****.

The Cubs dropped a deuce at the ‘mistake by the lake’ as they stranded a ton of baserunners. The pitching staff looked good in defeat, but, well, defeat. 2 for 27 with RISP in the series.

In short, Cleveland’s Sam Hentges is a long, tall drink of water, but flames come out of his arm. The contrast between Hentges and Cubs starter Zach Davies could hardly be more stark, but success is measured by results, no matter how much attention is paid to process, and the early returns were similar. Hentges left with a zero. Davies stuck around long enough to get a run and give it right back before Justin Steele came in to prove his mettle. Andrew Chafin put the Cleveland ball club on hold but that gratis baserunner came back to bite Keegan Thompson. Cleveland’s bullpen held. Al has full details in his recap. We cover the coverage. Dig those crazy beats.

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“He was having trouble breathing out there,” David Ross told Jordan Bastian and other reporters after the game. “He was dealing with some sinus stuff for a couple innings. And it just wasn’t getting better.”

• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Are we *Finally* seeing a wave of impactful, entirely homegrown pitching emerge with the Cubs? The question of the day. Especially pertinent in view of recent minor-league success on the mound.
• Jon Greenberg (The Athletic {$}): It sure feels like the Cubs will be flying a ‘W’-free white flag come July. “The Cubs are caught in the middle between contending and rebuilding.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): What Kris Bryant’s value to Cubs has to do with Adbert Alzolay. “... the team’s chances to win big again anytime soon might come down to how soon ownership wants to act like a big-market team again.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs go ‘next man up’ when Bryant falls ill. “... Bryant’s exit is a reminder of how fragile the roster is right now and how important the role players have been.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Observations: Cubs lose Bryant, finale in Cleveland. “The Cubs already were playing short-handed before Bryant exited Wednesday’s game.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs expect Nico Hoerner, Jake Arrieta IL returns vs. Tigers. “That is the plan if everything goes well,” said David Ross. “Everything seems to be progressing well for Nico,” the Cubs manager added.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Joc Pederson’s 3-hit day not enough in walk-off loss. “... a long line of baserunners but a lack of breakthrough hits.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Albert Almora Jr. just ran into the outfield wall at full speed and was removed from the game. “... he told the crowd that he’s “alright” on his way out.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Willie Harris brings a joyful energy to the Chicago Cubs as their third-base coach — along with unconventional visual cues to baserunners. “He brings a lot of energy and knowledge, but he delivers it in such a fun, impactful way,” said Ross.
• Madison Williams (Des Moines Register* {$}): Rachel Folden, Chicago Cubs’ first on-field female coach, hopes to inspire girls to pursue jobs in baseball. “I think a lot of women don’t want to apply for the job or don’t want to shift their career path to work in baseball because they think they can’t do it or they’re not going to be given a fair shot,” Folden said.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): What If ... What if Mark Cuban had bought the Cubs and Wrigley Field? “My plans were to spend to win, not to spend for spending’s sake,” said Cuban.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading. *****by Sara Sanchez. Required reading. Tigers Friday.