As we’ve seen raw case counts explode in national data, and we’ve also seen the positivity test rate go up in many areas of the South and West, particularly, we still haven’t seen a corresponding explosion in COVID mortality -19. Of course, everyone hopes that the combination of better treatments, better protection for the most vulnerable, and (perhaps) a less lethal virus mutation will lead to an ever lower death rate, but the reality is that deaths always have delayed. reported infections And now we are seeing hospitalization rates in the worst affected areas increase rapidly. Even if the current outbreaks were suddenly brought under control, you would still see an increase in cases for another week +, you would see hospitalization rates continue to rise, and you could still see a massive increase in deaths in the coming weeks. This shit is still scary, no matter how something like baseball tries to proceed. I support that effort, but I am also forced to follow the data and the science.
For now, baseball is still trying …
• Marquee was unable to stream yesterday’s intra-squad game, but they arranged a featured package this morning. I will take it like this:
Highlights from yesterday’s @Cubs team game.
More: https://t.co/BLH6mzkVze pic.twitter.com/pWJ3deNqH7
– Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 5, 2020
• The absolute best part is when (it seems) Vic Caratini called Ian Miller on strike, and Yu Darvish is like, ‘nah, nah man, I was out of the zone, let me pitch!’
• Darvish says he is still working on his release point, but he touched 97 (!) Mph on the scrimmage:
約 4 ヶ 月 ぶ り に 打者 相 手 に 投 げ て き ま し た。
ま だ リ リ ー ス の 感 じ が し っ く り 来 て い な い で す が 、 97 マ イ ル が 何 て い た み た 身体 は 元 気 だ と 思 いま– ダ ル ビ ッ シ ュ 有 (Yu Darvish) (@faridyu) July 4, 2020
• Kyle Hendricks feels really good (NBCSC): “Overall, as a group, we did an amazing job talking to individuals about staying on the routine, staying on shows. Many guys shed a lot during quarantine. I feel really good where I am in terms of schedule. I think I can say the same for most of the guys around here. “
• In the context of more positive tests in Atlanta, including a symptomatic Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward expressed his concern, but also his appreciation for his teammates (The Athletic): “At the end of the day, we all know that we cannot follow each other and they say, ‘Hey, don’t do this, don’t do that.’ We are all human beings here. We all have family. We all have friends We all have certain situations that call us to be siblings, children or parents, whatever it is. You want to be safe, yes, but you know it’s difficult. We all know that some of us are going to test positive. As we get into this, I think we are so proud of this here at the Cubs’ camp that many of us have not (through the admission process) and are empowered to do spring training. As long as we are allowed to continue playing baseball, we will try to do our best. “
• Heyward is also available to talk to his teammates about social justice and police reform issues:
“We cannot just sit here and sit on our hands any longer knowing that our families, our friends and our communities are fighting.”
Jason Heyward feels the responsibility to speak up for racial equality. More from @maddie_m_lee: https: //t.co/1QKIcMJOFv
– Cubs Talk (@NBCSCubs) July 4, 2020
• Félix Hernández, who was not a guest on the roster who competed for a spot in the rotation with the Braves, decided to opt out of the season, and it’s hard not to think that Freeman’s experience played a role. Plus, Buster Posey puts him right when it comes to foreclosure decisions – he just needs to keep paying attention and almost making the decision on a daily basis:
Posey went on to say that he would be surprised if the players responded otherwise. Everyone is evaluating how these camps will go and how the pandemic continues to unfold across the country. “There is no way we can give a hard-line answer to what it will look like in a week.”
– Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) July 4, 2020
• You may not remember Caleb Simpson, one of the toughest relievers the Cubs signed on in minor league deals last season: He was brought more as a true minor league player to try to develop, rather than a guy. You might get shot in the bullpen, but even if you do, you can forget about it again. He was subsequently released and signed with the Red Sox.
• MacBooks, kitchen items, books and more are your Deals of the Day on Amazon. #ad
• Some old friends who play in the American Association, including Eddie Butler at Chicago Dogs and Chesny Young at St. Paul Saints:
Well, there are no minor league lists to worry about, so how about some American Association lists? People who follow Milb closely should recognize many of the names. pic.twitter.com/BXjq22flBh
– Baseball-Rosters (@RosterRoundup) July 4, 2020
• This is brutal:
Park Jong-hun just killed a man. 👻
Cause of death: Rising Slider pic.twitter.com/tLYSzNELvA
– Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 5, 2020
.
