Cub Tracks all’s well that ends?

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.

I’m sorry, Craig, but Patrick Wisdom at leadoff? I’d like to see your work. In any event, the Man of Steele took the hill in Cincinnati hoping to continue his upward mobility as the offense improves incrementally.

That’d be good. Javier Assad seems to be coming back to Earth, and so does Shōta Imanaga. Jordan Wicks might help.

The Cubs didn’t acquit themselves as well as they could have, and the mresult was another one-run loss. Steele, however, was just fine:

There were some highlights:

Just not enough. Should score more against this staff.

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• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Two miscues prove costly in the Chicago Cubs’ 3-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. “It was a well pitched game and certainly a game when you get a start like that that you hope to win,” manager Craig Counsell said. More from the AP*.
• Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): Cubs discussing next steps for Jordan Wicks, who is up for ‘whatever role’ and ‘whenever’. “I made it clear to them, I’m available whatever role they need me in to throw whenever they need me to. Whatever’s best for us to help us win games.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs catchers are struggling in multiple areas, crystallizing a possible upgrade at trade deadline. “Frankly, our catchers’ offense has been a struggle,” Craig Counsell said recently. More on this from MLB Trade Rumors.
• Christian Papillon (Cubbies Crib*): Josh Bell could be a target to address offensive need. “The Marlins’ first baseman could provide some valuable offensive help to the Cubs going forward.”
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Christopher Morel’s defense is becoming an issue the Chicago Cubs can’t ignore. “Morel hasn’t definitively answered the question of whether he can play the position at a consistently high level...” More from the Tribune* {$}. More from the Sun-Times*.
• Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): The little things: Cubs appreciate all that Nico Hoerner provides. “Nico is going fast all the time,” Counsell said. He might need more tests.

Food for Thought:

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