Cub Tracks loves donuts

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’m still trying to get my head around the first successful steal of first base from home plate, ever. Shut up, Keith.

Yeah, that was great. David Bote clutch homer, a little bit of Javying, Adbert Alzolay battling the elements. Birthday present to Craig, from Craig.

I don’t know if I’d go this far but this is certainly pleasant at the moment. The Cubs are still in second place, the Cardinals beat the D-backs again. There are holes everywhere one looks but that hasn’t deterred this team so far, and the injured list is bound to empty eventually.

Friday afternoon Adbert Alzolay, Andrew Chafin, Tommy Nance, and Craig Kimbrel threw a donut at the visiting Reds, and I’ll be dipped if they didn’t look good doing it, for the fifth day in a row.

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“Oh my.” — Vin Scully, on Javier Baez’ snake charmer act.

“It was [as] windy as I’ve seen it playing here. That was one of the tougher winds. You’ve just gotta find a way to do it and you’ve got to find a way to play through it. Both teams are out there, and it’s just part of it, so you just go embrace it and play.” — David Bote.

• Ryan Herrera (MLB.com*): Wrigley at 60 percent: ‘Great for the city’. “‘Fun’ is the word that keeps coming to mind.”
• Rick Morrissey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Surprise! The Cubs are flipping a dark script into a very fun story. “Public discussions about whether to break up the core that won the 2016 World Series have gladly given way to the thrill of an unexpectedly competitive team.”
• John Perotto (Forbes* {$}): Chicago Cubs showing championship window still open. "... the season is nearly two months old, and the Cubs are right near the top of the National League Central standings.”
• Matt Snyder (CBS Sports*): How the Cubs’ surprisingly strong bullpen has changed the team’s 2021 outlook. “They are now 17-7 in May and all seven losses came by exactly one run.”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Increased capacity at Wrigley Field creates possibility for in-season moves if Cubs keep winning. “After the team was in wait-and-see mode to determine its financial situation, the larger crowds could open some doors.” Evan Altman moves him over.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): The magic show doesn’t have to end for Javier Báez and the Cubs: ‘I would pay everybody all the time’. “I would extend,” David Ross said.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Javier Báez’ once-in-a-lifetime play for the Chicago Cubs is the stuff of baseball legend. “I guess I’m going to be on the blooper reels for the rest of my life,” said Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Will Craig. Rob Biertempfel elaborates {$}.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Observations: Alzolay battles, Cubs extend win streak. “The Cubs play a lot of close games.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Kimbrel has conversation with Joe West about hat. “The brim of Kimbrel’s hat appeared cleaner Friday than other games this season, but the results on the mound were the same as they have been during his dominant start to the season.”
• Ryan Herrera (MLB.com*): Blustery day goes Bote’s way in Cubs’ win. “Even his, in the moment, felt like it took a left turn with the wind blowing and just got in the basket there,” Ross said.
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Next steps for Cubs as they sort out injury puzzle. “The Cubs are in a tricky spot with no easy resolution.”
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Nico Hoerner: No ‘common thread’ between Cubs hamstring injuries. “Hoerner likely has several weeks of recovery and rehab ahead of him.”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading.