Chicago Cubs news and notes: Shota Imanaga, Manny Machado, Mason Miller

Cub Tracks thinks it was genius to have ostensible closer Daniel Palencia bollix the middle of the Padres’ lineup and let the rest of the crew lock it down. A Counsell pen needs to be awake as anyone can pitch at any time. CC has reasons for what he does but it looks like Don Zimmer playing hunches.

Advertisement

Key to the ball game from where I sit. Right after taking the lead, keep that mojo workin’. Jon Greenberg says momentum is a real thing {$} but didn’t understand what CC did with the young flamethrower. That was not a demotion, Jon.

Game two featured bullpen stalwart Andrew Kittredge getting the start, facing the redoubtable Dylan Cease, who may not be what he was but is still pretty damn good. He certainly mystified the Cubs.

The Padres posted a run against Kittredge but that was it. Shota came on when expected. That one run was the only run until Manny Machado whomped a two-run job in the fifth. By then Cease was out of the game and the superlative San Diego bullpen had taken over.

Can’t score if you don’t hit or walk. Hilariously, articles about the final were showing up in the eighth inning. Here are the details on the time and TV channel. Yu know who against Jameson Taillon.

Advertisement

*means autoplay on, (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 real sarcasm font in the comments.

Food for thought:

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series. We will not wittingly publish A. I. – driven articles.

Related Posts

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: One White Sox player is quietly positioned to take a massive leap forward this season — and insiders believe the breakout signs are already flashing in camp. The tools have always been there, but something about the confidence and approach feels different this time. If the momentum carries into meaningful games, Chicago may suddenly have a cornerstone rising right before its eyes.. 👇👇👇

Which White Sox Player Is Ready to Take the Leap in 2026 4 There have been recent seasons when asking this question about the Chicago White Sox…

🚨 BOMBSHELL: MLB rumors explode as the Orioles suddenly find themselves on the chopping block while the Braves receive unexpected great news that could shift the NL power balance. What looked like quiet front-office maneuvering now feels like a seismic turning point for two contenders moving in opposite directions. If these whispers hold weight, the league landscape may be changing faster than anyone anticipated.. 👇👇👇

MLB Rumors Roundup: Orioles Facing a Crunch, Braves Catch a Break, Yankees Avoid a Risky Gamble 4 Spring Training is officially underway across Major League Baseball, which…

🚨 BOMBSHELL: Why Alex Bregman left the Red Sox, according to Boston’s CEO — and the explanation may not be what fans expected. The front office narrative reveals a turning point behind closed doors that shifted the entire trajectory of negotiations. In one candid breakdown, leadership reframed the departure as strategy rather than surrender.. 👇👇👇

Why Alex Bregman Walked Away From Boston and Why the Explanation May Not Satisfy Red Sox Nation 4 For much of the offseason, the most emotionally charged…

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Red Sox fans need to pay attention to Jake Bennett right now — because something is quietly building beneath the surface in Boston’s pitching pipeline. What looked like a routine developmental arm is suddenly flashing traits that hint at something far bigger. If this surge continues, Fenway may soon be talking about a name that few saw coming.. 👇👇👇

Red Sox Fans Should Be Watching Jake Bennett Closely as Spring Training Momentum Builds 4 The Boston Red Sox are just about a week into Spring Training,…

MLB rumors heating up!! 👀 The Baltimore Orioles could be facing some tough roster decisions, while the Atlanta Braves just received news that might shift the momentum. Are the Orioles about to make a shocking move… and could this be the break Atlanta needed? 🔥👇

Spring Training has officially arrived, signaling that Major League Baseball is back in full swing. Yet despite teams reporting to camp, several key storylines continue to dominate…

🚨 BOMBSHELL: Yankees prospect Spencer Jones receives a terrifying comparison — and the name being whispered has Bronx fans both thrilled and uneasy. Scouts aren’t just praising tools, they’re invoking a legend whose ceiling reshaped a generation. If even a fraction of that projection becomes reality, the AL East may be staring at its next towering nightmare.. 👇👇👇

Spencer Jones Faces Pivotal Spring as Yankees Prospect Draws Joey Gallo Comparison 4 For New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones, the calendar is beginning to matter as…