Cub Tracks wears it

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.

This edition brought to you by the committee to keep Jeff Bezos in outer space in perpetuity, and by Spider Tack. Here’s the spin on the spin, from Fangraphs. MLB’s plan is as clear as an Angel Hernandez strike zone. Going to be an interesting week coming up.

Cubs vs Marlins, three-game series, game one. Zach Davies (4-3, 4.01) vs. Cody Poteet ( 2-2, 3.75). Davies wore it. 8 runs, ouch. Chris Myers gets excited for Marlins homers. Throw him back, please.

Highlights:

Let’s do better today. Jake Arrieta (5-7. 5.14) is scheduled versus Pablo Lopez (2-4, 3.12).

As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. (In the comments section, use @ before and after your remarks @ to produce sarcasm font. In the text body. It doesn’t work in the headlines.)

• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs play a rare Friday night game at Wrigley Field ― and it’s time the outdated city ordinance is changed. “Wrigleyville has changed quite a bit over the years, and residential parking permits have made the Friday night ban unnecessary.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Jed Hoyer on Cubs’ plan at trade deadline: ‘We want to add to this team’. “We’re putting ourselves in great position,” Hoyer said.
• (Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Quantifying Hope: Cubs have 41% playoff odds, still trail Brewers by wide margin. “...the Brewers simply have an easier schedule and are projected to win at a .524 clip the rest of the way versus the Cubs’ .496 rate.”
• Jared Wyllys (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs manager David Ross knows how to handle with care. “Getting through half of the season successfully has been a mental and physical balancing act for Ross and his players.”
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Hendricks All-Star bid less crazy with every start. “Hendricks is at least throwing like an All-Star now.” Tony Andracki has similar thoughts.
• Meghab MNontemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Hendricks leads the majors in home runs allowed. What’s behind the numbers — and why aren’t the Chicago Cubs worried about the uptick? “It’s maybe a little bit backing off the pitch instead of just staying on the attack all the time,” Tommy Hottovy told the Tribune.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Zach Davies’ strong stretch ends vs. Marlins. “It looked like he either didn’t have his best stuff or just got a little careful there,” David Ross said.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why trading Kimbrel is impossible needle to thread. “Might as well go full sell mode if you trade the closer...”
• Mark Gonzales (Daily Herald* {$}): Cubs’ bridge to the future starts with strong showing of minor league pitching. “It seems like they came out of nowhere,” said Matt Dorey, the Cubs’ Vice President of Player Development.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs Injuries: Nico Hoerner goes through full range of activities. “Hoerner said he’s continuing to get closer to running at full speed...” Mike McGraw adds on.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ Kris Bryant can’t force the issue at the plate, but can he force pitchers back in the zone? “...even the best of the best get in a funk.” Evan Altman has the low-cost version.
• Joon Lee (ESPN*): Ranking MLB’s City Connect uniforms. So far, we’ve seen five.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!