Cub Tracks hears that The Professor is going to retire after this season ends. Good luck to Kyle Hendricks, whose next step is undetermined at this time. Nate Pearson has been voted off the island. There
are bound to be other changes in the offing.
No game Monday as the Cubs get ready to face the Mets for three before winding up the year with a weekend series against the Cardinals. The playoffs loom. I’m setting the bar of expectations so low that an amoeba would have trouble limboing.
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- Paul Sullivan (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Should Gov. JB Pritzker’s boycott suggestion stop Chicago Cubs fans from watching Marquee? “… perhaps we need to come up with another solution.”
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): With division race over, Cubs turn attention to home-field advantage. “… the environment this weekend in Cincinnati showed the urgency that still exists for some other teams.” Maddie Lee has more* {$}.
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): What we’re hearing about the Cubs’ playoff discussions, including Kyle Tucker’s status. “We’ve got to figure out when and if he’s going to be available.”
- Mark Sheldon (MLB.com*): ‘We deserve it’: Reds sweep Cubs to move into NL Wild Card position. Andy Martinez has more*.
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Matt Shaw’s timing is disastrous lately. “The team needs him to get right before the postseason begins, or prepare to play someone else.“
- Andy Martinez (Marquee Sports Network*): How Pete Crow-Armstrong’s breakout 2025 helped Cubs return to playoffs. “For much of the season, it was an elite-level bat.”
- Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball*): Kyle Tucker’s price tag is plunging, but Cubs still shouldn’t pay it. “Health is a skill.” Jordan Bastian has more Tucker.
- MiLB.com*: Sam Bernabe steps back as Iowa Cubs General Manager; Randy Wehofer promoted to lead day-to-day operations. “Bernabe shared the news with his staff Sunday afternoon…” Tommy Birch has more* {$}.
Food for thought:
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