Cub Tracks takes two, calls doctor

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have news for you. Positive news! The NooCubs meatloafed the Reds. I bet they’re not going to need an airplane to get where they’re going. Enjoy. A well-played game with several long drives and pretty good pitching. Adrian Sampson, if not exactly revelatory, was competent and could probably have gone a little longer — still, it’s hard to argue with the results.

All this and exciting young arms like Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson. It’s beginning to look as if Dan Kantrovitz at least hasn’t been promoted beyond his capabilities. The system has a little promise beyond Brennen Davis.

Is this the price for having learned how not to cry?

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.

• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs, MLB brace for late-season COVID-19 threat. “Some Cubs insiders believe an outbreak is all but inevitable...”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Even by Cubs’ standards, there’s been a ton of drama, turnover and losing since the trade deadline. “If the Cubs had waves of talent forming in the upper levels of their minor-league system, then maybe the team wouldn’t have felt so stagnant at Wrigley Field in recent seasons...”
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Ricketts family will honor itself to celebrate the end of the Wrigley Field renovation plan — while the Chicago Cubs continue to be unwatchable. “Naturally, the Cubs are trying to make lemonade with lemons.”
• Jake Misener (Fansided*): Tom Ricketts’ self-congratulatory sideshow is an embarrassment. “The self-serving nature of this ownership group apparently has no end.”
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): How Cubs can survive ‘Game of Thrones’ rebuild. “Who the hell knows where this heads next or when?”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Kyle Hendricks somehow leads MLB in wins despite Cubs’ futility. “It was just a good feeling in the clubhouse, obviously,” Hendricks said, “with what we’ve been going through lately, just to finally see a result.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs could add Keegan Thompson to the rotation as soon as this weekend. “I really look forward to seeing Thompson start.” Russell Dorsey has thoughts.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Offense has big day as Cubs take series from the Reds. “It feels nice,” manager David Ross said with a smile.
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): For Andrew and Austin Romine, playing together on the Chicago Cubs is a blessing — and a big-league career 1st — as the brothers make history. “Kudos to Rossy for letting us do that,” Austin told the Tribune this week.
• Jim Callis (MLB.com*): The hottest rookies of the past 2 weeks. “...he has batted .400/.434/.760 with four homers and 14 RBIs over the past two weeks.” Yes, it’s Frank the Tank.
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Hermosillo hits decisive HR in 1st Cubs start. “Childhood fan enjoys full-circle moment for franchise: ‘I dreamed of being a Cub’.”
• Rodd Baxley (The Fayetteville Observer*): Terry Sanford’s DJ Herz, a rising prospect for the Cubs, talks time with Myrtle Beach Pelicans. “It’s awesome and it makes you want it even more.”

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!