WELCOME to today’s edition 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. No artificial intelligences were deployed, employed, entranced, or embalmed in the commission of this missive (apparently I might be training some though). Cub Tracks eagerly awaits the advent of robotic umpires and has already amended the three laws. The going is weird. Cub Tracks turned pro a long time ago.

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Cade Horton with his first start against the ChiSox. Pleasant and windy as the Crosstown Classic got underway. Cubs in the baby blues. I want one of those jerseys with a #4 on it. PCA has the same numbers of letters as MVP. Just sayin’.

Horton gave up another couple of long balls. He’ll be fine. Getting a little too much plate right now. White Sox playing maybe a little too hard, if one is to extrapolate from the top of the second. But then there are those can extrapolate and

Anyway, the Cubs just kinda shrugged and got to making people cross the plate against Sox rookie Shane Smith, hitting for the team cycle in one inning again, batting around in the process.

Miguel Vargas hit another homer, a solo job, making Horton’s line look like a Taillon start. Smith pitched tight while he stayed in. His issue was the same as Horton’s, just more so, and the Cubs are better hitters. Any pitcher that gets too much plate is going to get hit, and hard.

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Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): The energy is back at Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs are riding the momentum. “It’s happening again, that bounce around Wrigley Field when the Chicago Cubs are relevant.”
Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): For a trio of Cubs, the City Series represents the other side of the rivalry with the White Sox. “The biggest thing is you just see the city of Chicago come out and support their teams, no matter what side it’s on, the blue might be a little stronger in the stands,” Flexen said.
Steve Greenberg (Chicago Sun-Times* {$}): Cubs-White Sox rivalry: Bitter or blah? “Is “classic” giving it too much credit?”
Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib*): Cubs fans are sharply divided over whether or not this player has been good. “A key piece of the rotation has drawn praise from some, criticism from others early in the season.”
Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs adding veteran Maeda on Minor League deal. “He has had success. He’s struggled,” Counsell said.
Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): PCA’s huge day (4 hits, 6 RBIs) backs Horton’s solid first start. “The righty struck out two, issued no walks and scattered seven hits.”
Zoe Grossman (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs rookie Cade Horton recalls first Moisés Ballesteros impression. “I knew he’d be up here soon,” Horton said. “I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”
Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru (MLB.com*): Shoeless Mo? Cubs prospect swings out of his shoes (literally!) for 1st career RBI. “… he got way out in front and actually swung out of his shoes.”
Tom Prizeman (Marquee Sports Network*): Cubs’ Matt Shaw makes case for call-up with two-homer day in minors. “The Cubs No.1 prospect had a huge day in Triple-A Iowa Thursday, opening and closing the game with home runs…”

Food for thought:

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