Cub Tracks’ baby steps?

Here at CUB TRACKS NEWS AND NOTES™, we have news for you. Frank hit yet another Tank!

Unfortunately, that was all he wrote. Kris Bryant was given a heartfelt tribute and it got a little misty for a minute before the business of baseball reasserted itself.

The game was close until the late innings. A pair of meatballs in the seventh broke the tie and the Cubs mustered a total of two hits off of a cross-section of the Giants’ bullpen (both by Schwindel), and in the end, the Giants took a step forward. Kyle Hendricks pitched well enough but he got less support than your average Kickstarter.

They’ll try it again today.

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• Mark Gonzales (Daily Herald* {$}): Jed Hoyer is avoiding using ‘rebuild.’ Ex-Cubs pitcher Krukow says that’s smart. “They don’t want to hear about the labor pains,” Krukow said. “They just want to see the baby.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Codi Heuer continues to dominate for the Cubs. “There are definitely some things in the peripherals that give you pause...”
• Taylor Eldridge (The Wichita Eagle*): Former Wichita State baseball pitcher Codi Heuer blossoming in MLB with Chicago Cubs. “Watching a former Shocker blossom for the Cubs has been a delight to Chicago pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, a 2004 Wichita State alum.”
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs playing their best baseball in months as rookie sensations provide energy boost. “Rafael Ortega, Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel have been bright spots in a down season.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs give Bryant hero’s welcome in return. “Bryant appeared emotional as he watched...” Tim Stebbins adds on. Steve Greenberg has words. Paul Sullivan does, too. Mooney and Sharma top it off {$}.
• Gordon Wittenmyer (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why Bryant return as Giant could be new normal for Cubs. “... there’s not a better fit for Bryant long-term when he becomes a free agent this year than the place he and those close to him considered the ideal non-Chicago locale and that will have plenty of money to get a deal done for him.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Being patient with his process and aggressive at the plate helped Ian Happ salvage what looked like a lost season. “... I got an opportunity to play every day there for a stretch and put some things together.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Injured Hermosillo eyes role with Cubs in ‘22. “Michael Hermosillo is hoping he did enough in his 16-game stint to be on the Cubs’ radar.” Russell Dorsey adds on.
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Nick Castellanos coyly indicates he’ll opt out of Reds deal, puts ball in Cubs’ court for potential reunion. “At the end of the day we’ll see how it plays out.” Gordon Wittenmyer discusses.
• Logan Whaley (Cubbies Crib*): 3 Chicago Cubs prospects who have been on fire lately. “... we look into the lower levels...”

Food for Thought:

Thanks for reading!