Cub Tracks’ Smyly faces

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.

That game couldn’t last long enough for me. The Cubs treated Dodger ace Julio Urias roughly and got a little revenge for Thursday’s tough loss. Then they manhandled Andre Jackson (again), while Drew Smyly was dealing.

Smyly was just great, holding the Dodgers to the one measly little bunt hit in 7/3 innings.

Game #3 of 4 today in the Friendly Confines. Hayden Wesneski starts.

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• Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic {$}): For the Cubs, the value of team chemistry is worth the price of a team dinner. “... so far, the pieces seem to fit.” Evan Altman spends some time in the lab.
• Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): It’s only April, and the White Sox, Cubs — and Rick Sutcliffe — are already in rare form. “... the Cubs have exceeded the expectations of all but the most optimistic of fans, including the aforementioned Mr. Sutcliffe.”
• Michael Allardyce (NBC Sports Chicago*): Cubs’ Drew Smyly loses perfect game bid in heartbreaking fashion. “There hasn’t been a perfect game in baseball since the 2012 season...”
• Ryan Taylor (NBC Sports Chicago*): Drew Smyly, David Ross talk losing out on a perfect game. “I’m not disappointed, it would have been an awesome thing to happen. I’m excited to have a game win,” Smyly said. More Smyly from Taylor.

• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs need to address closer situation immediately if not sooner. “Fulmer still has plenty of time to round back into form over the course of the season, but it would be wise in the meantime for David Ross to explore other options in the 9th.”
• Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery*): Pair of Cubs Prospects turn in dominant starts. Riley Thompson and Jordan Wicks did well on the farm.

• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): How soon until the Cubs decide Matt Mervis could give their offense a jolt? “Promoting Mervis from Triple-A Iowa is simply not under consideration while the Cubs are riding the momentum from their strong start to the season. Reactions from Brett Taylor, Evan Altman.
• Larry Hawley (WGN9*): Jason Heyward becomes the latest to get a Cubs’ homecoming. “The Dodgers outfielder, who spent seven seasons with the Cubs, was welcomed back to Wrigley Field before his team’s game with a tribute on the video board in left field.”

Food for Thought:

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