Cub Tracks opens it up

Welcome to today’s edition of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in writers’ tears, and then cold-brewed overnight for maximum flavor.

Baseball is back. Boog is back, too, which may or may not be good news to you. JD and Taylor are back, and again, ymmv.

Brennen Davis snuck into the starting lineup as Seiya Suzuki had some lat soreness. I myself am experiencing a bit of latte soreness, having had one too many espressos, but that was part of the opening spring day ritual, which also included getting into the best shape of my life at the Golden Corral and then walking it off at Costco. Finestkind, as the cagy veteran Hawkeye Pierce was heard to say.

Marcus Stroman wasn’t pinpoint, a little wild-high, and Nick Mahrley Scrooged a couple of his offerings, which led to a run when Thairo Estrada got on base via the free pass with one out. That’s the kind of thing that can be eliminated or at least minimized with a little more tuneup, and this year’s infield turned a sweet dp to end the threat. JD noticed Mahrley’s elevated zone and was otherwise spot-on, as is his wont.

Good smooth broadcast. Pro game on the field. The Cubs kiddie contingent looked especially good, with Dexter Fowler bringing some fifth-inning magic and David Bote adding his clout.

Cubs win. Al has details in his recap.

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• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Ready for a comeback, retooled Hendricks returns to the mound. “The first real fun I’ve had in probably seven and a half months,” Hendricks said. Evan Altman shares his thoughts. Meghan Montemurro has thoughts, too. Sahadev Sharma has some words {$}.
• Jon Heyman (NY Post*): Jameson Taillon believed he was ‘going to be a Met’ before signing with Cubs. “The Cubs made it clear from day one I was a top priority,” Tailon said.
• 670 theScore*: David Ross rejects idea Cubs were frustrated with Willson Contreras’ preparation. “I didn’t see any facts in there that Ken wrote,” Ross said, referring to this article {$}.
• Peter Marzano (NBC Sports Chicago*): Contreras calls Cardinals “better organization” than Cubs. “For me, I like this better. It’s a better organization. It’s the old school way, which I love,” Contreras said to Bally Sports Midwest.
• Mia Perlman (Cubbies Crib*): Where Ian Happ ranks among starting left fielders. Ninth on MLB Network’s list.
• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): Pete Crow-Armstrong can literally catch fly balls behind his back. “… what’s next, eyes closed?”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki scratched from Cactus League opener because of left oblique tightness. “Suzuki is under further evaluation. The Cubs are not expecting any updates on his status until Sunday.”
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): Off the wall: Cubs minor-league coordinator James Ogden builds customized tools for pitchers. “Mobile plyo walls were Ogden’s project entering spring training this year.”

Food for Thought:

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Last episode only had one typo — strangely enough, it was in a word where I fixed the original author’s typo. I’m sorry - I promised more and better typos. We’re working on it.