“I got no deeds to do, no promises to keep. I’m dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep. Let the morning time drop all its petals on me. Life, I love you, all is groovy.” – Simon & Garfunkel, The 59th Street Bridge Song

Getting a good look at fringe players means September games look a lot more like those ones played in early March. You know, the ones in Arizona. For the second straight game, Zach McKinstry and Rafael Ortega were hit machines as the replacement Cubs manhandled the Mets in Gotham. McKinstry and Ortega are probably fighting for spots on next season’s 40-man, and each is playing as if he knows it.

Of the returns the Cubs got at this trade deadline, Zach McKinstry might be one of the more intriguing.

He had a slow start after the trade, but McKinstry has a .926 OPS over the last two weeks, including 4 hits Sunday night and 2 hits with a home run yesterday.

I know David Ross wants to win as many games as possible, but the Cubs don’t seem that interested in playing the spoiler. Yes, they beat the Mets 5-2 last night. But, September has become sort of a pregame for Spring Training the last two seasons. Maybe Tom Ricketts should have the groundskeepers put berms in the bleachers. At least it would give us something to write about.

One guy who is not playing for a roster spot is Seiya Suzuki. He had two more hits last night, and it’s imperative that Ross gives the rookie outfielder as many at-bats as possible. Suzuki was a bit of a late bloomer this season, but he’s hit three home runs in the last seven games. His OBP and SLG are creeping toward expected levels, but the best thing about his performance last night was that he didn’t strike out.

One guy who may need a breather is Christopher Morel. He was 0-for-3 with three punchouts but it looks as if his bat speed has slowed just a bit. He’s had 447 at-bats between Tennessee and Chicago, easily a career-high. Ross already knows Morel’s capabilities, and there shouldn’t be anything specific for him to work on.

I don’t want to jump into the next section without mentioning pitchers Javier Assad and Brendan Hughes. Both performed well last night and I think Assad could be a replacement for Alec Mills next season. Rotation spots will be scarce, but, keeping him stretched out will allow him to slide in and out of the rotation when needed. Hughes has five saves but doesn’t have that swagger I want to see from a closer. I want a guy who knows he’s going to lock it down as soon he strolls out of the bullpen. I know results matter, but attitude and confidence are equally important.

Imagine if Stan Musial had played for the Cubs instead of the Cardinals.

Stan Musial sitting on the edge of the visitor dugout at Wrigley Field pic.twitter.com/lJZnOXdj6C

“I’m like evil, I get under your skin just like a bomb that’s ready to blow.” – AC/DC, Shoot to Thrill

The Cubs struck out 12 times yesterday evening, but as mentioned, Suzuki didn’t own any of them. McKinstry and Ortega will never be confused for the Bash Brothers, but each went yard against Mets starter Chris Bassitt. He didn’t pitch well last night, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Bassitt playing for the Cubs next year. He and the Mets have a $19 million mutual option for 2023. It might be a tough call for either side.

The White Sox have been down but they’re not out. However, with three weeks left in the season, the road to the playoffs isn’t going to be easy.

Interim manager Miguel Cairo has been a genuine success while Tony La Russa has been sidelined. That bodes well for Cairo’s future as a manager, with the South Siders or somewhere else.

Mike Trout has hit home runs in seven consecutive games. The MLB record is eight. Who’s watching tonight?

Albert Pujols is a good dude. I hope he gets No. 700 this season.

Mark McGwire believes Pujols will reach that historic milestone. He also believes Aaron Judge (213) will eventually pass Barry Bonds (762) on the all-time home run list.

Pujols has been on a historic run for about five weeks.

After years of work and study, Judge is a hitting master coming into his own at the right time.

MLB jumped the gun a bit when they announced the Dodgers had clinched a playoff spot on Sunday. No worries, they won last night, and they’re in – as if any doubt existed.

Here is your magic number tracker as of yesterday’s games.

You have to love the guys who want to earn a spot on next year’s squad, and then go out and prove they belong.

Javier Assad earns his first career win! 👏 pic.twitter.com/u1LTzc4mnl

This season moved at a much quicker pace than I expected. I need to get to Wrigley Field one more time.

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Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/12/22): Cubs 5, Mets 2 - Unexpected Power Produces 'Easy' W - Cubs Insider https://t.co/nf1FEyG5ms

Chicago Cubs Lineup (9/12/22): Assad Pitching, Morel at Short, McKinstry Leading Off https://t.co/t9vBhVzQmU

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