Cub Tracks’ pressure luck

Welcome to today’s episode 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.

The Man of Steele and his merry band stuck their size elevens in the middle of the Brewers’ nine-game winning streak and said “Nine is enough”. The van Pattens were unavailable for comment, but the Brewers were stopped dead in their tracks by the Cubs’ staff, who stymied them so thoroughly that they laid an egg. On the face of it, that was the answer to Monday’s chastening spanking.

Cub Tracks is in favor of Brewer eggs, and maybe, just a little spanking. That’s entertainment! Really it was a playoff-atmosphere spectacular, from what I could glean from the rather large screen it was on in my living room, and from the sound on the 5.1 surround. I’m sure most of you had similar experiences.

Welcome to the pre-playoffs. These games are going to count big time. Reds, Giants, Diamondbacks all want IN.

Wednesday afternoon, the Professor (5-7, 3.80 ERA) took a three-hour tour (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) on the Wrigley mound in support of his squad, facing the fearsome Brandon Woodruff (3-1, 2.65 ERA) and his motley brew crew with the wind blowing in.

What ensued was a tight defensive struggle with lots of errors and a heap of small ball. Adbert Alzolay vultured himself a win by walking in the tying run in the bottom of the 8th but he kept his cool and his fastball, though he flirted with disaster before he was done in the ninth. Phillies, lost, so the Cubs gain ground on the #1 Wild Card spot. Three back in the division.

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“I love pitching in that environment. The fans do a really special job of knowing the situation, knowing what’s at stake, knowing when to get on their feet. I mean, there was a moment in the first inning they were on their feet because they knew a big pitch was coming. That stuff you just don’t really see everywhere else. It’s truly special to pitch for these fans. I loved it.” — Justin Steele.

Brennen Davis’ two-run homer.

• Matt Carlson (AP*): Cody Bellinger’s ricochet infield single sparks Cubs over Brewers 3-2. “Bellinger’s sharply hit ball up the middle glanced off the right ankle or foot of reliever Joel Payamps and to third baseman Andruw Monasterio.” Jordan Bastian has more Belli ball.
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): The surprising MLB news that could change the playoff landscape for Cubs. “... teams around baseball are still figuring out ways to add to their rosters while other teams are shedding payroll.”
• Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Who’s next in wild Cubs season? Pete Crow-Armstrong, more names to know for September. “We’re consistently looking for ways to both develop our players and also help our major-league team at the same time,” Cubs vice president of player development Jared Banner said.

• Jay Cohen (AP*): Justin Steele stars as the Cubs stop the Brewers’ 9-game winning streak with 1-0 victory. “That was a really fun environment to pitch in,” Steele said. Brett Taylor draws an ace. Jon Greenberg has more Steele {$}. Meghan Montemurro delivers the coup de grâce.
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs add bullpen help, get good news on Stroman and Fulmer. Marcus Stroman’s arm is still on, and Michael Fulmer might be back for September. Brad Boxberger is close, too.
• Matthew Postins (Fan Nation*): Chicago Cubs should claim Angels reliever on Waivers. “[Matt] Moore is a player the Cubs should be keenly interested in, should he be available.”
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune*): Nick Madrigal continues to impress Chicago Cubs with defense at third base. Plus updates on Marcus Stroman and Matt Shaw. “Madrigal’s first season at third base has given the Cubs a reliable defender whose advanced metrics rate him as one of the best at the position in the majors.”
• Scott Rogust (Fansided*): Scott Boras’s latest Cody Bellinger comment is bad news for the Cubs. “Demand is often created by rarity,’’ said Boras, h/t USA Today.
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs Outfield Prospect Alexander Canario will play in the Arizona Fall League. “He is on the radar for a possible September call-up to the big leagues...” Tommy Birch has the skinny.

Food For Thought:

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