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Duane Pesice Duane writes the Cub Tracks and Baseball history unpacked features and occasional articles. He also writes horror and science fiction, has eleven books to his credit, and has had more than 200 short stories published.
Game results:
Well, that was no bueno. At least the televised game started out well. I made a bad coin flip and started out listening to the Reds game. Boyd wasn’t exactly good Friday night. Taillon wasn’t much better. Miguel Amaya had some juice. Al will have details at 8 a.m. CT.
“I’ve suggested to the hitting coaches that they stay away from him,” Counsell said. “I did have a meeting with the hitting coaches at one point this spring. I called them all together, and they got a little nervous. I said, ‘You guys should stay away from Ballesteros.’
“Joking, you know, but they got the message.” — Patrick Mooney.
Four and a half games left, including the Spring Breakout Game. Cub Tracks is not in favor of ST night games. Or Eugenio Suárez in the Central.
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- Jay Cohen (AP*): NL Central Preview: Loaded Cubs going for the division title, but Brewers and Reds are lurking. “… Bregman is hoping to lead the Chicago Cubs to their first Central title since 2020…”
- Andy Koval (WGN9*): PHOTOS: Cubs unveil new food for 2026 season at Wrigley Field. The teams’ respective 2026 journeys begin on March 26, when the Cubs will host the Nationals at 1:20 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field on Opening Day.
- Jordan Bastian, Jessica Camerato (MLB.com*): Nationals-Cubs Opening Day starters: Cavalli vs. Boyd.
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Daniel Palencia shows off his WBC gold medal as he rejoins Chicago Cubs: ‘I knew that moment was mine’. “I just don’t believe it,” Palencia said.
- Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune* {$}): Chicago Cubs notes from camp: Jonathon Long in the mix for bench spot — and Shota Imanaga is a whiff machine. More Imanaga from Matthew Trueblood.
- Jordan Bastian (MLB.com*): Cubs’ top prospect Ballesteros earns Opening Day roster spot. “He’s on the team,” Counsell said on Friday. “I think we made Moisés unnecessarily nervous, actually.” Meghan Montemurro has more. Daryl Van Schouwen likewise.
- Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation*): Cubs extension updates: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Nico Hoerner. “… it’s generally been the case that a lot of extension negotiations end when it’s time to focus on games.”
- Patrick Mooey (The Athletic {$}): Pete Crow-Armstrong on WBC loss to Venezuela, Cubs teammate Daniel Palencia: ‘I love Danny’. “He pitched out of his mind,” Crow-Armstrong said. “He was great.”
- Jim Callis (MLB.com*): 2025 Draft picks key to Cubs restocking prospect pool. “The Cubs system is going through a transition right now.”
