After chilling out the last few days _ whether at home, the All-Star Game or their favorite hideaways _ the Cubs and Cardinals are back on the clock Thursday night in the second-half opener at Wrigley Field.
ESPN has turned it into a thing, of course, making the Cubs and Cards end their breaks early for a national TV audience thirsting for baseball after a one-day lull following the All-Star Game. They can't complain about it because they play baseball for a living. Suffice to say everyone would appreciate an extra day of rest after 3{ months of work, but they're glad to resume their classic rivalry for the good of the game.
So what's in store for baseball in the second half?
More of the same _ strikeouts, home runs and endless debates about infield shifts. Along with those essential ingredients of modern-day baseball, here are a few other storylines worth following.
