Cub Tracks’ he laughs best

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. No artificial intelligences were deployed, employed, entranced, or embalmed in the commission of this manuscript (apparently I might be training some though). Cub Tracks eagerly awaits the advent of robotic umpires and have already amended the three laws. The going is weird. Cub Tracks turned pro a long time ago.

Cub Tracks. Where the great ones run away..

Jameson Taillon (3-3, 3.03) took the hill Saturday afternoon trying to cool off the red-hot Metropolitans. MLB.TV continued to deliver shoddy service as the feed was constantly buffering, but Taillon looked good when I could see his pitches. The strike zone looked very small. ‘Angel’ Carapazza had home plate duties.

Tylor Megill (2-3, 3.52) started for the Mets. He was in the mood to give up free passes and the Cubs got a crooked number out of it. There was more.

.Not too shabby. Now we need meatloaf to make it all better.

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• John J Kim (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Photos: Chicago Cubs beat New York Mets 8-1 at Wrigley Field.
• Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs offense strikes early and fast in blowout win over Mets. “I think, in the end, offensive production comes because you have different guys every day,” manager Craig Counsell said Saturday morning. “I think that’s how this lineup is gonna work.” The AP has more. Jordan Bastian reports.
• Mike Puma (NY Post*): Mets crushed by Cubs after Tylor Megill implodes in worst outing of season. “Overall it was an afternoon worth forgetting for the Mets, who lost 8-1 to the Cubs at Wrigley Field.”
• Steve Millar (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs top New York Mets 8-1 behind a 5-run 1st, Jameson Taillon’s strong start and new catcher Tomás Nido. “Hitting is hard, so any production to help the team score some runs feels good,” Nido said. Andy Martinez has more.
• AP*: Mets RHP Luis Severino moves up to start against the Cubs instead of facing the Yankees. “Severino will be on regular rest against Chicago.”
• Randy Holt (North Side Baseball*): Is Dansby Swanson fixed? And how did he get so broken? “Could it be that he was at less than 100 percent during his toughest times?”
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): ‘It was crazy’: Former Cubs teammates reflect on ‘The Sandberg Game’ from 1984. “You know you’ve made it big when you have a particular game named after you and everybody understands the reference.” Al will have more on The Sandberg Game coming up at 11 a.m. CT.
• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Ryne Sandberg’s cancer journey gives the Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer new perspective with statue unveiling. “To me, it’s a gift to the fans of baseball and Chicago Cubs fans,” Sandberg said.

Food for Thought:

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