Cub Tracks’ will No. 4,715 please stand 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.

Sights and sounds from the game:

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• Sahadev Sharma (the Athletic {$}): Cubs introduce Dodgers to the Leit Show, win third series in a row: ‘We’re nasty’. “He’s been great,” manager David Ross said. “That’s why we went to him.” Meghan Montemurro has thoughts about Leiter. Maddie Lee adds on.
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs lefty Brandon Hughes ready to ‘get back out there’. “The Cubs reinstated Hughes from the 15-day IL on Saturday.”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Baserunning is becoming a weapon for the Cubs. “For a Cubs team that emphasizes the need to do the little things well, that baserunning will be vital to their success throughout the season.” Evan Altman has something to say about this. Jordan Bastian has a few words.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): At what point are the Cubs too competitive NOT to call up Matt Mervis? “The Cubs can’t screw around this year. Every win might really matter.” Evan Altman has more Mervis. Jordan Campbell is on that train also.

9) MLB Power Rankings: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs had a very good week and are now 7-3 in their last 10 games. Maybe this club is for real after all. After an active offseason that looked like it gave them a competitive ball club but maybe not quite a winner, they’ve gotten off to a strong start. Justin Steele has joined Marcus Stroman in the April Cy Young race. Trophies don’t get handed out for that but it does make the fans feel good.

• James Neveau (NBC Sports Chicago*): Dansby Swanson makes more Cubs history. “Dansby Swanson is the fastest (13 games) to his fifth 3+ hit reg. season game with the Cubs, among players to first appear for Chicago since 1900.” (per ESPN)
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Welcome Home: Why the Cubs’ series in Oakland is extra special for Nico Hoerner. “It’s 15 minutes from where I grew up,” Hoerner said. Maddie Lee has more.
• James Neveau (NBC Sports Chicago*): Nick Madrigal gets start at third vs. A’s. “... infielder Nick Madrigal is trying to earn a more regular role on the team in the early going of this season...”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs prospect Owen Caissie off to hot start with aggressive approach. “This year, he opens at the Double-A level, where he is nearly four years younger than the average position player.”

• Dave Byrnes (Courthouse News Service*): Trial concludes in Chicago Cubs disability access suit. “A Cubs fan with muscular dystrophy claims Wrigley Field does not have enough wheelchair-accessible seating.”

Food for Thought:

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