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.
Strange game against the Cleveland ball club. Adbert Alzolay got angry, Javier Baez got benched, and the Cubs continued not to score, tuning up for a huge ten-game road trip. Willson Contreras barreled a couple of balls, but they stayed in the park, and nobody was on to take advantage of the two-base knocks. Eric Sogard continued to be anti-clutch.
Adbert Alzolay, 92mph Two Seamer and 86mph Slider, Overlay pic.twitter.com/HL5r521aTw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 22, 2021
This is where having Ross knowing the guys in the clubhouse really pays off.
— FullCountTommy (@FullCountTommy) June 22, 2021
Send a message to a guy who you know can handle it and attempt to light a fire under a team who needs it.
Here's Báez and Ross in the dugout after the inning-ending double play. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/wO1m3oLO16
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) June 22, 2021
Cubs are 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position after Sogard strikes out on a 3-2 pitch with runners on 2B & 3B to end the 7th.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) June 22, 2021
Sogard couldn't hold off swinging at a changeup away, nearly the same location as the first pitch of the AB. Cubs trail Cleveland 3-0. pic.twitter.com/6C01cdi8YH
Final: Cleveland 4, Cubs 0. pic.twitter.com/y9kAPrM1Y7
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 22, 2021
Let’s hope they do better today. Please no more cup snakes or waves. Yeesh. Al will autopsy the game for you.
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Adbert passes the test. pic.twitter.com/FtaS13eDQf
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) June 22, 2021
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs right-hander Adbert Alzolay is off the IL and back in the rotation. How can the rookie help their postseason aspirations? “Alzolay’s time on the injured list did not appear to diminish his stuff.”
- Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ lefty Justin Steele close to returning. “He’ll be off on a rehab assignment soon.”
- Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ 3-headed relief monster devouring big innings. “...the Tepera-Chafin-Kimbrel formula has been a recipe for success for the Cubs this season.
- Phil Thompson (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Can the Chicago Cubs become more of a small ball team? Manager David Ross thinks so — but there are lineup challenges. “I think that at heart I’m probably more of the get guys over, get them in, small ball” type of manager, Ross said.
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Was May an offensive mirage? The Cubs need their under-the-radar contributors to return and prove it wasn’t. “Hitting is contagious, I definitely believe that,” Patrick Wisdom said.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Backup to Contreras down to Plan D. “Multiple setbacks have forced the Cubs to cycle through reserves and contributed to Contreras’ heavy workload.”
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Nico Hoerner rehab assignment soon, Matt Duffy maybe not. “...it’s still gonna be a minute before both are back with the Cubs.” Gordon Wittenmyer amplifies.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Báez removed after losing track of outs. “Báez ran from first to third on a routine flyout to left field off the bat of Anthony Rizzo. The issue was that there was only one out at the time.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): How Kris Bryant sees the big picture and views the direction the Cubs have taken. “I just don’t know.”
- Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): All-star voting: Joc Pederson climbs into contention. Baez, Bryant, Contreras, and Rizzo remain in contention. John Grochowski addresses Bryant.
- Phil Thompson (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Ben Zobrist lawsuit alleges his pastor had an affair with his wife Julianna and defrauded the former Chicago Cubs player’s charity. “The lawsuit against Byron Yawn...seeks $6 million in punitive and compensatory damages through a jury trial.”
Food for thought:
It's the Green Goblin come to life.https://t.co/ct5JCHo2iK
— Futurism (@futurism) June 21, 2021
Are we alone in the universe? Probably not. https://t.co/u4nDxxHeRD pic.twitter.com/mUCL7pYrQP
— Popular Science (@PopSci) June 21, 2021
Clever Experiment Reveals How Our Ancestors Used Lighting Sources in Caveshttps://t.co/e7TveDC2wk
— ScienceAlert (@ScienceAlert) June 22, 2021
Thanks for reading!