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Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have news for you. Good news! The Cubs played eight innings of a 2-1 game that didn’t seem that close and then came on in the top of the ninth in a game that featured entirely too much suspense given the Cubs’ offensive ineptitude and turned on a four-pitch sequence when the Cubs erupted for three hits, the third of which was a two-run homer by young catcher Willson Contreras, who followed elder backstop Robinson Chrinos’ clutch liner with one of his own, after Rafael Ortega delivered a clutch two-bagger.
.@WContreras40 for the lead! #CubTogether pic.twitter.com/QgIe79CbTO
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 17, 2021
Kimbrel time.
Craig Kimbrel moves into sole possession of 9th place on the all-time saves leaderboard! #CubTogether pic.twitter.com/WiAZOBa8tS
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 17, 2021
Double your pleasure, double your fun. The meat loaf is in, the brooms will be out, tomorrow. The world seems brighter. The food tastes better, the wife is prettier, laughter comes more easily.
That was fun, eh? pic.twitter.com/nv7wWquS3r
— Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) July 17, 2021
WOW! Wrigley West indeed. @WatchMarquee @Cubs pic.twitter.com/2MwYOMXDxS
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) July 17, 2021
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.)
“All the reports and rumors flying from now until then, you probably could put a full scrapbook together and see the rollercoaster that it’s going to take everyone on. My position is just staying one day at a time and not really worrying about what’s going to happen. What’s going to happen is going to happen. None of us have any control of it.” — Anthony Rizzo.
#Cubs David Bote left today for a rehab assignment. He will join Matt Duffy who continues to progress.
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) July 17, 2021
Ross indicated Arrieta (hamstring) won't be ready to come off IL tomorrow when eligible.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 17, 2021
"He's working on some stuff in the bullpen. ... Make sure hamstring's good & then get him off & let him compete & make sure he can execute things that he's trying to do in real competition."
The #Cubs today announced they have signed nine of their first 10 selections in the 2021 First-Year Player Draft, including LHP Jordan Wicks, the team’s first-round selection (21st overall). pic.twitter.com/JUO3wSmZHs
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 17, 2021
- Kyle Williams (Marquee Sports Network*): Despite All-Star snub, Kyle Hendricks’ consistency will be key for Cubs in second half. “Hendricks and Craig Kimbrel were the two most consistent pitchers on the Cubs roster through the all-star break.”
- Marquee Sports Network*: Zach Davies talks to Taylor McGregor [VIDEO].
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Rowan Wick is finally headed out on a rehab assignment! “The Cubs will want to make sure he’s recovering well.”
- Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}) Manager David Ross on Cubs’ second half: ‘We just got to focus on today’. “I think that if we get outside of focusing on beating the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight, then we’re going to shortchange ourselves,” Ross said on Friday.
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): With the Joc Pederson trade behind them, the Chicago Cubs kick off the second half of their season: ‘There’s not a lot of time for sadness in this game,’ manager David Ross says. “You hate to lose Joc, but there’s too many baseball games left in the season to focus on one guy’s absence.”
- Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Willson Contreras getting opportunity to be Cubs’ new leadoff hitter. “I think he’s done a nice job having professional at-bats,” Ross said before Saturday’s game. Maddie Lee writes about this.
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Anthony Rizzo on Cubs Future: ‘I have no idea what’s going to happen’. “I have no idea what’s going to happen tomorrow.” They miss Pederson. Tim Stebbins whips this up. Patrick Mooney tops it off {$}.
- Tim Stebbins (*NBC Sports Chicago*): Javy Báez could be ‘perfect match’ for Mets. Buster Olney started this one.
- Tim Stebbins (*NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs: Matt Duffy ‘Feels great,’ David Bote starts rehab assignment. “...a pair of sidelined infielders continue to progress in their recoveries.”
- Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Scouting Jon Sciambi halfway through his first season on Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network. ‘‘There’s something about being here that feels like this is right,’’ he said. ‘‘I have to think that that’s affecting the broadcast in a positive way.’’
Food for Thought:
You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile. https://t.co/OkjIDY7ff9
— Futurism (@futurism) July 17, 2021
This Super Glass Material Is Almost As Strong As Steel https://t.co/qUW07eaA4d pic.twitter.com/UYm7433yON
— Popular Science (@PopSci) July 17, 2021
Think Your Dog Would Share Its Food With You? We Have Bad Newshttps://t.co/q8n2m7DeBx
— ScienceAlert (@ScienceAlert) July 17, 2021