The going is weird. Cub Tracks™ turned pro a long time ago. Cub Tracks™. Where the great ones run away.
Any MLB team can beat you. The good teams WILL beat you.
“I didn’t do a good job of playing the game of baseball today.”
PCA is a stand-up guy. That’s part of his appeal, his humility in interviews and realistic outlook. So it wasn’t much of a surprise when he fessed up to his gaffes Tuesday night. You get what you get with Pete. He’s going to get better. Imagine if he could adopt a little bit of Kyle Tucker’s approach…
I wonder how many other teams are preparing for 2027 by not signing anyone. It does seem prudent to wait out the market given the circumstances and the stakes, but…
Meanwhile, back at Busch, the Cubs played the third of four against the stinkin’ Cardinals, and a good time was had by all. Lefty Matthew Boyd opposed Erick Fedde. Ian Happ had deep thoughts, hoisting the first pitch of the game into the right-field seats [VIDEO].
Michael Busch drove in Dansby Swanson, who had doubled [VIDEO].
Reese McGuire joined in the fun in the second inning [VIDEO].
Kyle Tucker let the bon temps roulez [VIDEO].
Ian Happ struck for two with a single [VIDEO]. Matt Shaw chipped in with an RBI groundout.
Meanwhile, current staff ace Boyd was doing what he does, heading toward his eleventh quality start with an eight-run lead and giving his team a chance at a split with the return of Shota Imanaga looming. Good way to end the streak at three.
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“… this is not a time for the team to go halfway. Not if owner Tom Ricketts is serious about winning a World Series in one of the next two years.” — Ken Rosenthal.
Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic {$}): With the clock ticking on Kyle Tucker in Chicago, the Cubs can’t go halfway at the deadline. “The Cubs could lose five more important players to the open market after 2026…” North Side Baseball has more*.
Maddie Lee (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs’ Shota Imanaga reveals message to hot-hitting Lars Nootbaar before returning from IL to face Cardinals. ‘‘I was just telling him, ‘OK, when I face you, I’m going to keep you hitless,’ ’’ Imanaga said through an interpreter.
Randy Holt (North Side Baseball*): Can Chris Flexen stave off the regression monster?.”… Flexen has been nearly flawless, at least to this point.”
Kyle Millinowisch (marquee Sports Network*): Dansby Swanson delivers take on Cubs’ runners-in-scoring-position woes. “Yeah, I mean, really all year I’ve been pretty bad at it, to be honest,” Swanson told reporters following Tuesday’s game.
Bill Felber (Cubbies Crib*): The Cubs’ clock is running on Matt Shaw ahead of MLB trade deadline. “…Shaw’s desolate June has put pressure on the Cubs to decide whether they have a short-term problem at third base.”
Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): ‘He’s been so good for us’: Team backs PCA after rare outfield blunder. “Simple as that,” Crow-Armstrong said.
Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Kyle Tucker keeping quiet on possible extension with Chicago Cubs but likes their ‘foundation for success’. “For the most part, we’re going to keep that between us,” Tucker said. Andy Martinez has more*.
Austin Hough (South Bend Tribune* {$}): How top Chicago Cubs prospects in South Bend have performed so far in 2025. “Although the record was not great, it seems the Cubs have turned a corner.”
Food for thought:
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