Cub Tracks puts more cheese on it

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.

Anna one, anna two, anna three! Bellinger Bellringer, with a hump in it.

Well, that was a good beginning, but Drew Smyly had other ideas about how the day should go. The Overton window didn’t close early enough, but the Cincinnati hurler got himself in trouble again in the fifth as the Cubs put themselves back in the picture.

Former Cincinnati Bearcat Ian Happ helped the cause with a walk and a double.

Smyly couldn’t hang with that, either. #Cubs twitter was NOT pleased.

Eek. There was more of that kind of thing. Patrick Wisdom was hit on the back of the hand by a pitch. The Cubs are gonna be weird and frustrating a lot of times this year, I ken. Al has all the details in his recap.

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• Fox19*: Joey Votto reveals he’s never had Skyline Chili. And other stories.
• Alex Shapiro (NBC Sports Chicago*): Bob Nightengale gives Cubs player fun early season award. “Best proof that spring training stats are meaningless.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): What did the Cubs learn from another season of contract extension drama? “We’re not trying to win the narrative,” Hoyer said. “The team has an objective. The player has an objective. Sometimes those meet up...”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Cubs showcase ‘nasty’ rotation while still awaiting Kyle Hendricks’ return. “Our starting five is legit,” Marcus Stroman said. “Wesneski’s our 5, he’s nasty. Taillon’s nasty. Smyly’s nasty. Steele’s filthy as well. I got all the confidence in these guys.”
• John Grochowski (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs, Sox must get their offenses off the ground. “Baseball by the Numbers: Teams have to do a better job of putting more balls in the air.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib*): David Ross faces renewed expectations. “... these mistakes from Ross are something that should be monitored.”
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): ‘Unmatched’ kindness: Reds teammates describe what Cubs can expect from catcher Tucker Barnhart. “Barnhart faced his former club for the first time Monday and notched his first hit with the Cubs.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Swanson has slayed his spring slump. “No one was panicking over Swanson’s spring showing, but it was impossible not to wonder what was happening with the shortstop.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib*): Christopher Morel already making case to return to Chicago Cubs roster. “... if Morel continues his hot start and the Cubs continue to show offensive deficiencies, the team may be left with no option but call-up the fan favorite.” Paul Sullivan has more {$}.
• James Neveau (NBC Sports Chicago*): Velazquez, Morel off to hot starts in Triple-A. “Other familiar names are also thriving in Iowa, including infielder David Bote...”

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