Cub Tracks sees ghosts

We saw them scoring. Plus an extra one that was the backbreaker.

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.

I think also that MLB should either ditch the camo hats or make camo unis. Cuz they look gamethread-word terrible on the duds the Cubs were sporting.

Still ... quite a game. Lots of lead changes and heroes galore. Extras! That’s entertainment.

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“I’m just trying to gain that trust again, gain that timing, rhythm. Get up there and be able to react to pitches and trust that. I had two good at-bats [Friday]. I think that’s what I want to see, is the consistency.” — Jason Heyward.

• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Institute a designated position player/pitcher. Limit the number of shifts. Here are 10 baseball changes we’d like to see etched in stone tablets. “Major League Baseball has begun its experiment with a cornucopia of rules changes in the minor leagues.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs notebook: The intensity of the extra-innings rule, homefield advantage and a return to health. “Anytime you get your guys back feeling healthy and back in the lineup, it’s nice,” David Ross said.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Jake Arrieta shines in return to mound as Cubs top Tigers. “Arrieta allowed two runs and four hits over six innings in the Cubs’ 4-2 win in Detroit.” More Arrieta from Tim Stebbins.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): ‘We’ll find a spot’ for Bryant as Cubs heal. “He’s willing to do whatever, which is a great luxury that I’ve got,” said Ross. More Bryant from Patrick Mooney {$}.
• Jesse Rogers (ESPN*): Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ ‘good’ after being activated from IL.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): The Cubs are still facing players’ resistance to their COVID-19 vaccine efforts. “I’m holding out hope,” Ross said Friday. “And I feel like that might just be what it is right now.”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Jon Lester’s upcoming return to Wrigley Field begs the question: ‘We should get everybody free Miller Lites, right?’ Ross jokes. “The guy is super special to me, and I hope the fans give him the welcome back he deserves,” Ross said of Lester.
• MiLB.com*: St. Paul defeats Iowa, evens series at two. Shelby Miller going Saturday.
• Todd Johnson (Cubs Central): By the numbers: A sneak peek at hitting in the system so far. “Let’s take a look at the leaders in wRC+...”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.