#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. So many balls were in the air that I thought I was watching juggling.
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 missive (apparently I might be training some though). Cub Tracks eagerly awaits the advent of robotic umpires and has 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.
The Cubs are clearly ready to start the regular season and are chilling during this short stretch — at least the guys that have the team made are. The other guys are busting their butts for jobs. Maybe not with the Cubs, or with the major-league squad, but jobs.
The Cubs played in the desert, lost to the Braves 13-4. Gage turned in another Workmanlike performance with a long ball good for two RBI and some decent left field play, but it wasn’t enough to counter the Braves’ flotilla of long balls. Justin Turner stood at third with a glove on, which was scary to watch. “Just let it hit you, and then pick it up,” I said. “A strong chest is your best friend.”
Porter Hodge ploinked a guy while Elise Menaker was praising his control. “That’s so Cub,” I said.
I’m in midseason form, I tell you. The best shape of my life, round. Tanned, rested, ready.
The Cubs, not so much, yet. They’re in a weird place. Kind of in-between.
But it’s still not weird enough for me. As always, we await developments.
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“Righty Javier Assad (strained left oblique) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Saturday and is expected to throw batting practice this week.” — Mark Gonzales.
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Cubs’ Craig Counsell shrugs off the pressure of managing in Chicago. “I can promise you that every day we lose, something went wrong.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Chicago Cubs roster projection 3.0: On to the next Opening Day. “… the Cubs are projected to have the hardest month (March/April) for any team in baseball all season…”
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Different kind of journey as ‘the team of openers’ tests the Chicago Cubs’ ability to adjust on the fly. “It’s definitely an interesting challenge, playing games that matter and then coming back to play spring training games,” left fielder Ian Happ said.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Taillon, Cubs looking forward to tough early stretch. “It’d be nice to get out to a nice start,” Taillon said. “We have a really tough April — I think everyone’s aware of it.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): ‘X factor’ Boyd ready to shine for Cubs this season. “He’s pretty nasty,” Taillon said. “I think if he’s healthy, he’s an X factor for us this year.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Hip Impingement will land Tyson Miller on IL to open season. “Miller hasn’t looked sharp this spring…”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Visualizing Miguel Amaya’s swing overhaul makes clear how it raises his ceiling. “This swing is also much simpler.”
- Chuck Murr (Forbes* {$}): Moises Ballesteros A prospect due to catch on with Chicago Cubs. “We know he can hit,” manager Craig Counsell said. “He needs experience in all areas and he’s a willing worker. That’s a good start.”
- Mark Gonzales (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Nico Hoerner healthy enough to play second base but not shortstop just yet. “… it might take a month before he plays shortstop in an emergency or backup role.”
- Mark Gonzales (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Switch-hitting Ian Happ will bat leadoff for Cubs. “Pete Crow-Armstrong is the heir apparent at the top of the order, but the Cubs are in win-now mode.”
Food for thought:
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