#Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes, links and discussion, plus more or less scientific food for thought. A pitcher’s duel created drama in the desert. The Cubs emerged victorious.
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.
RIP Ken Holtzman.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Cubs pitcher Ken Holtzman.
Ken was a Cub from 1965-1971 and 1978-1979. He posted a 3.76 ERA in 237 games with the club, including two no-hitters, cementing himself as one of the best left-handed pitchers in Cubs history.
We send… pic.twitter.com/T13qpWy48a
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 15, 2024
It’s good to be out of the rain. Ben Brown took the hill in the desert against Diamondbacks hurler Merrill Kelly. Dansby Swanson moved up to the #2 spot with the departure of Seiya Suzuki to the 10-Day IL. Alexander Canario, having a good year at Triple A, has been called up to fill that spot. Suzuki, said Ron Coomer, doesn’t think this hurt is as severe as the oblique injury he suffered on the left side last year and that he can be back soon.
I’ll be listening to Pat Hughes and Ron, and silence when the signal disconnects. And the sound of Michael Busch’s bat connecting once again.
Michael Busch homers AGAIN
That’s FIVE home runs in five straight games!#YouHaveToSeeIt pic.twitter.com/O8GCayKVSc
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2024
Hack Wilson, Ryne Sandberg, Sammy Sosa, and Christopher Morel had done it before Busch, but he’s the first rookie. Brown sounded pretty good. He stuck around for – pitches and innings after the Diamondbacks tied the contest up. Morel played more ‘D’.
Don’t blink you might miss this throw from Morel pic.twitter.com/BLOxTP2zRa
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2024
Kelly went five innings. He’s an older player and the Cubs made him work. Brown went six, 84 pitches.
Ben Brown retired the final 13 batters he faced! pic.twitter.com/Tsdsuyeq3w
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 16, 2024
Drew Smyly untied the game. Nico Hoerner’s legs tied it back up again as he scored from second on a wild pitch.
Who else but Nico Hoerner to give us the lead? pic.twitter.com/p6ZBNrHTnj
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2024
The game went to eleven. The Cubs created a bearstack. One man scored. Keegan Thompson made it stand.
Cubs win!
Final: #Cubs 3, Dbacks 2. pic.twitter.com/lQUSvszms6
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2024
*means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (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 sarcasm font in the comments.
More than a number. #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/8AesJHpc5j
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2024
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Adbert Alzolay’s pickoff caps Chicago Cubs’ series win in Seattle behind another solid start from Javier Assad. “Alzolay was confident the replay review would vindicate him.”
- Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation*): Hector Neris has had a brutal start to the year – but what can the Cubs do? “… the circle of trust in the bullpen is razor thin at the moment.”
- Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): With Cubs’ pitching and defense looking unsteady, offense providing reasons for optimism. “Too many close games wear out the bullpen and bring more randomness into the equation.”
- Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): 3 Cubs players it’s way too soon to freak out about amidst early season struggles. “… let’s take a look at a few guys who have yet to settle in.”
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Michael Busch’s hot start shows why the Chicago Cubs are so high on the slugger: ‘That’s raw power’. “The Cubs could not have hoped for a much better start for Busch.” Jordan Campbell has more.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Matt Mervis getting his mojo back in Triple-A. “Obviously the time in the big leagues was frustrating,” Mervis said last month.
- Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times*): How Cubs’ Christopher Morel ‘saved the game’ with his defense at third base Saturday against the Mariners. “ The next step for him is consistency.”
- Tony Andracki (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs send Seiya Suzuki to IL, call up outfield prospect. “… a right oblique strain will force him to miss at least the next 10 days.” Jesse Rogers has more.
Food for Thought:
Centralia: The Abandoned Mine That Has Blazed For Over Half A Centuryhttps://t.co/qextzIHvcR
— IFLScience (@IFLScience) April 15, 2024
SpaceHopper could one day explore asteroids, using the rock’s low gravity to traverse long distances. https://t.co/UxjvNQINeO
— Popular Science (@PopSci) April 14, 2024
Scientists Invented a Bizarre New Material That Gets Tougher When You Hit It https://t.co/nyrZ2eUXgP
— ScienceAlert (@ScienceAlert) April 13, 2024
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