The #1 source for #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes.
The team is treading water, though it looks like a nosedive, and people are writing swan songs about their Central division title hopes, based on the dismal math. It’s hard to remain positive. Cub Tracks tries to focus on today, and not plan for 2032. Nonetheless it is difficult and frustrating to fan in Chicago as a rule, given the city’s long history of abysmal ownership groups.
Something happened to this year’s squad. And it’s not the first
time this group has had extended offensive drought. At the same time, the Brewers failed to be Miller lite or even ponies, and now claim to be the champagne of the NL Central. They leave a bad taste in one’s mouth nonetheless, as they cruise effortlessly toward the promised land while our management group seems to want the team to be relevant in September, in order to maximize the cheek-seat factor, and a little October ball is just a happy accident.
It takes more than this for me to panic. This is business-as-usual. Losing in the playoffs is all we had, for a very very long time. Even getting there was an issue for long years before that. But that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.
The actual game took place at the Rogers Centre last night, where the Cubs sent young fireballer Cade Horton to the mound to face grizzled veteran Blue Jays hurler Kevin Gausman. Miguel Amaya was in the starting lineup. I am assuming the battery are familiar with one another, and they certainly worked well.
Michael Busch staked Horton to a one-run lead in the 3rd, with a solo homer, his 23rd [VIDEO]. Matt Shaw clubbed his 10th in the fifth [VIDEO].
Horton ended up with 8 strikeouts [VIDEO], two walks, 5.2 innings pitched, and a single earned run that ended his streak. I suspect it won’t be his last such skein. A string of relievers held the fort.
Amaya sustained an ankle injury in the top of the eighth. You have to feel for him. Reese McGuire scored the third run in his stead, and that play likely answers the McGuire question, for now. Counsell said after the game that Amaya had an ankle sprain and he’ll be heading to the IL.
Daniel Palencia closed out the Cubs’ 4-1 series-tying victory. Grizzled vets Matthew Boyd and Max Scherzer will duel for the meatloaf today.
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Sources: Threat of 2027 MLB Lockout, eventual salary cap loomed in Cubs’ Trade Deadline decisions. “As the Cubs and potential trade partners negotiated over available players controllable through 2027 or 2028, Chicago seemed unwilling to account for the value of those seasons, according to those close to the talks.”
- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): As Chicago Cubs hit a speed bump, it’s time for Craig Counsell to show us what he’s got. “What are they doing?”
- Matt Betts (MLB.com*): Horton K’s 8 while allowing 1 hit as stellar rookie year continues. “Horton carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning…“ He’s the #5 NL rookie, says Manny Randhawa.
- Jordan Horrobin (Marquee Spots Network*): Assad makes timely return to rotation as Cubs begin grueling stretch. “… the Cubs kicked off a stretch of 14 games in 13 days on Tuesday night with a fresh face on the mound.”
- Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Jameson Taillon talks about his third rehab start with the Iowa Cubs. “… Taillon looks sharp in third outing with Iowa Cubs.”
- Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon set to rejoin rotation for Brewers series. “He will rejoin us and his next start will be against the Brewers,” Counsell told reporters.
- Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Michael Soroka gearing up to start throwing program. “It’s about pushing things when they feel good,” Soroka said.
- Thomas Domol (North Side Baseball*): Miffed about Chicago Cubs’ recent swoon? Don’t blame it on the bullpen. “Handcuuffed by their squad’s inability to mash, Craig Counsell’s bullpen is under unfair fire.”
- Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): Cubs remain optimistic fortunes will change as offensive slide continues. “There’s no ‘Woe is me’ here and ‘Oh no.’” Meghan Montemurro has more* {$}.
- Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Cubs’ offensive malaise continues north of the border. “It starts at swinging at the right pitches,” Counsell said.
- Tommy Birch (Des Moines Register* {$}): Which Iowa Cubs players impressed Chicago Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon during rehab stint? “… the play of his temporary teammate Owen Caissie.”
- James Neveau (NBC Sports Chicago*): Pete Crow-Armstrong’s struggles highlight Cubs’ recent rough stretch. “Since Aug. 1, Crow-Armstrong has seen his batting average drop by 16 points, his on-base percentage drop by 16 points, and his slugging percentage drop by 38 points.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Caissie, Ballesteros lead Cubs’ newest Top 30 prospects list. “It’s sort of rare to have a group of young position players that are basically Major League ready,” Hoyer said recently.
- B Telfer (Bluebird Banter*): View from the other side: Cubs questions for Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue. “… “should have” and “could have” are two different things.“
- Cubs Players Invite Lifelong Fan With Terminal Cancer To Wrigley After Granddaughters’ Viral Video. “The Moya family is bound not only by blood but also by a shared love of the Chicago Cubs…“
Food for thought:
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series. We are 100% in favor of human sportswriting and will not wittingly publish A. I. – driven articles or content.
