#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Imanaga does it again, and the Cubs squeezed out enough sparks for an Opening Day victory.
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.
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Friday was of course the long-awaited Home Opener, and the red-hot Cubs (5-4) tried to cool down the white-hot Padres (7-0) in beautiful Wrigley Field, where it was 45° F at game time,, with a decent chance of precipitation and an 8-10 mile per hour east-northeast wind. The huge crowd prepared for the weather and gave voice to their cheer early and often.
Could they? Would they get the game in? Could they, would they, might they win?
The Cubs grinded, keeping the pressure on Padres pitchers, and leaks developed. Just enough for a Ryan Pressly nailbiter in front of 40 thousand or so happy noisy fans.
Meanwhile, The Athletic dropped a truthbomb. I laid in a supply of Orville’s best. It’s not really ‘new’ stuff, but confirmation of some of our suspicions.
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- Patrick Mooney, Ken Rosenthal and Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): The Cubs are one of MLB’s top revenue machines. So why aren’t they paying for more players? “The focus should not be on payroll,” Hoyer said.
“On paper, the club remains a favorite to win the NL Central with a solid pitching staff, first-round picks all over the field and the ability to upgrade at the trade deadline. This new Cubs Way could work. But success would come despite the discrepancy highlighted by the graphic on social media. The Cubs’ spending on payroll does not appear to match their revenues.”
- Chris Emma (670 TheScore*): Jed Hoyer on his Cubs: ‘We’re certainly a better team than we were last year’. “Both on paper and in reality, I think we’re a better team.”
- Matt Danielowicz (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs express their excitement ahead of Wrigley Field home opener. “We’re looking forward to going back to Chicago. We’re looking forward to playing at Wrigley on Friday,” Craig Counsell said prior to Wednesday’s game. Bob Nightengale has more>. The AP has words. Jim DeShaies talks about it [AUDIO]. The Tribune has the weather and photos* {$}. Ron Coomer has a preview [AUDIO].
- Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs beat Padres 3-1 in Wrigley Field opener. “Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga limited the Padres to one run in 7⅓ innings.”
- Cody Pirkl (North Side Baseball*): Brad Keller is a new man, and the Cubs have a new relief weapon. “… it appears that the Cubs have found a quality reliever in the bargain bin.”
- Eno Sarris (The Athletic {$}): The birth of a new pitch: Why MLB players are rushing to try the ‘kick-change’. “With this pitch, everyone is just so different,” Taillon said.
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): How Jed Hoyer, Cubs feel on potential Kyle Tucker contract extension. “I think any conversations we have with him, we’ll keep internal,” Hoyer said.
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Jed Hoyer’s future — in his walk year — could be tied to Kyle Tucker’s season for Chicago Cubs. “… the old boys network hasn’t really changed…”
- Jim Callis (MLB.com*): Here’s where Cubs’ top prospects will open the 2025 season. “With the Minor League season opening this week, here’s where the Cubs’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): South Bend Cubs owner ‘Making an Argument’ to become org’s AAA affiliate. “… Andrew Berlin has his sights set on an even bigger promotion.”
- Patrick Filbin (Block Club Chicago*): Landmark Records celebrates Cubs and Chicago’s Blues History just outside Wrigley Field. “The Cubs and Delmark Records have partnered to create a pop-up record store, featuring vinyl, exclusive merchandise and live blues performances.”
Food for thought:
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