Cub Tracks feels the ripple effects

No game Monday. There is a game today, with some changes to the Indians’ rotation. Jon Lester will face Adam Plutko.

Here’s Cub Tracks News and Notes. As always, * means autoplay on, or annoying ads, or both (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used here as sarcasm font.

Chicago Cubs: We are nearing the end of the window of opportunity for the group of players that won the franchise’s first championship in 108 years back in 2016, earning the likes of Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant enduring places in Chicago’s baseball history (and maybe statues down the road). But there’s also no question that there were greater expectations for them as a possible dynasty, and as it stands they’re more like the ‘86 Mets — an extraordinary team that left business undone.

Winning the 2020 title would change the long-standing perception of what these players won together. — Buster Olney {$}.

Derek Dietrich landed in Texas.

• Mike Camino (WKYC*): Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger to miss Tuesday’s start against Cubs after violating team protocols on recent road trip in Chicago. “Adam Plutko is scheduled to start in place of Clevinger on Tuesday.” Brett Taylor touches on this.
• Russell Dorsey (Chicago Sun-Times*): MLB has tough decisions to make with Cardinals stuck in limbo. “Cubs have already felt the ripple effects of Cardinals outbreak. Four of the five NL Central teams have now had schedules due to the postponements.”
• Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): GM Jed Hoyer discusses Cubs’ unexpected layoff. “I love to think that we can provide a distraction for people during this time. I think that is one of the things sports can provide is some levity and some distraction. Right now, we need it.” Mark Gonzales wrote about this, too.
• Larry Hawley (WGN Sports*): Cubs staying optimistic as they work during a lost weekend. “I think we’re all holding up fine,” said David Ross.
• Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): Why the Cubs think they can make the most of the madness that is 2020. “We’re all going through something that’s very weird,” Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward said.
• Maddie Lee (NBC Sports Chicago*): Why Cubs GM Hoyer thinks a playoff bubble could be in MLB’s ‘best interest’. “We’re only as good as our weakest link,” Hoyer said. “And this thing spreads.” Front-page item.
• Matt Martell (Sports Illustrated*): Breaking down the National League’s three surprising division leaders. “The Marlins, Cubs and Rockies are the three National League division leaders entering the third full week of the season.”
• Tim Stebbins (NBC Sports Chicago*): How Cubs temporarily grabbed White Sox spotlight during Sunday Night Baseball. “ESPN showed the results of a social media poll asking baseball fans what they make of the Cubs’ 10-3 start to the season.”
• Jacob Kornhauser (Baseball FYI*): Yu Darvish is an ace again. “The importance of this development to the Cubs cannot be overstated.”
• Ryan Thomure (Cubs Insider*): Tyler Chatwood’s disastrous outing in KC no cause for concern. “As bad as that last start looked in the box score, it wasn’t bad in nearly the same way as his worst starts from two years ago.”
• Mark Gonzales (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Adding a changeup won’t be part of Craig Kimbrel’s attempt to rebound from a poor start for the Cubs. “Ross would rather have Kimbrel concentrate on his mechanics changes than incorporate a changeup.”
• Lance Brozdowski (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs prospect profile: LHP Burl Carraway. “Apart from Carraway’s fastball, his primary offspeed pitch is a curveball.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider*): David Ross anoints ‘Real Deal’ Ian Happ everyday CF, raising questions about bench depth. “That doesn’t bode well for Albert Almora Jr.” Jordan Bastian also has a few words. Brett Taylor adds on.
• Cubs birthdays: Pete Knisely, Karl Adams, Bobo Newsom, Bob Scheffing, Andrew Lorraine.

SimNews:

No game Monday. Tuesday’s game against the will air at 3 p.m. CT. All game video and related material is available commercial-free, 24/7 at the BCB Media Center. Today’s postings include updated league standings and league leaders.

Food for thought:

Thanks for reading!