Cub Tracks gives one up

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have news for you. The Cubs lost Saturday in Los Angeles as Keegan Thompson gave up a long ball to Cody Bellinger with two out in the bottom of the ninth.

The game itself was quite the contest and definitely showcased the contrasting styles of the two teams. This series has played out like a road playoff set so far.

The Cubs will try for the split today.

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• Joe Smith (The Athletic {$}): Championship culture: Real or overhyped? Coaching titans Kerr, Maddon, Arians and Saban weigh in. “But how do you create a culture? How do you identify it? Maintain it?”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): It’s not Pat Hughes’ mistake Chicago Cubs fans will remember of his no-hitter call but what he got right — and we all should be so lucky. “No excuses,” Hughes said.
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): As Cubs kick off road trip with no-hitter, difficult decisions loom for David Ross elsewhere. “For now, this is how the Cubs can win some games.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): David Ross, Cubs could face difficult decision if Jake Arrieta continues to struggle. “...the potential addition of another starter via trade means someone is losing his spot.” Gordon Wittenmyer discusses this.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Jake Arrieta shows improvement in Cubs’ loss to the Dodgers. Arrieta allowed one earned run on five hits over five innings in Friday’s 6-2 loss. Dorsey has more thoughts about the rotation.
• Megan Garcia (MLB.com*): Trio of Cubs to begin rehab assignments. Dillon Maples, Trevor Williams, and Justin Steele will travel to Triple-A Iowa. More rehab notes from Mark Polishuk.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Willson Contreras HBP scare highlights urgent need. “That’s an area that if Willson were to go down, that would be a huge blow to our team,” said Ross.
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Nico Hoerner beginning rehab assignment on Sunday. “For the first time, Hoerner will suit up for the Iowa Cubs.”

Food For Thought:

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