Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 13, Reds 14 – March 18, 2011

It was a pitching optional Friday as two of the Cubs’ three Carloses (Zambrano and Silva) conspired to suck a duck against the Reds. At least the offense scored 13…

  • Carlos Silva’s goose has gotta be cooked, no? After Big Z gave up the first six runs to the Reds, Silva gave up the remaining eight(!) in three innings of work. Hey, at least three of those runs were unearned, right? He allowed 12 baserunners (11 hits and one walk) in his three innings of work – yes, that’s four runners per inning. There are only three bases before home plate. I don’t know where I’m going with that, but, like, it ain’t good.
  • Darwin Barney had another gem today, going 3-4 and drawing two walks. He’s your 25th man, folks.
  • …and Barney, not Blake DeWitt, played second base today. DeWitt, meanwhile, was the DH. Given that DeWitt is the nominal starter and needs to work on his defense, this was a pretty strange setup, to put it mildly. Does it mean anything? Probably not. But it’s something to keep an eye on.
  • You know who else had a great day? Welington Castillo. Am I a broken record? Yes. But the kid is hitting .733(!!!).
  • Fernando Perez and Reed Johnson each went 1-2, so there isn’t much to say about the fifth outfielder competition.
  • Completely unrelated to a battle but still awesome: Starlin Castro hit his fourth homer of the Spring. Obviously Spring caveats apply, but were this the regular season, he would be on pace to hit 50 homers on the year. He’s not going to do that, but can you imagine how much more impressive his game looks if he hits 20+ homers? Next stop: superstardom.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    Chicago Cubs Lineup: Ian Happ is Back and the Cubs Also Have a New DH!

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

    If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

    Cubs with a Flurry of Roster Moves Involving SIX Players

    We've been trying to piece this series of Cubs roster moves together all day, but we didn't have the full picture until now. There are a lot of moving parts - and we already have a dedicated article on the...

    Kyle Hendricks Departs the Rotation By Way of the Injured List

    The Chicago Cubs were in a rough spot with starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, whose performance this year has featured a worst-case-scenario mix of execution struggles, too many balls in play, and a sprinkling of bad luck. And since no one...

    REPORT: Cubs to DFA Garrett Cooper

    Garrett Cooper DFA — Earlier today, Tommy Birch caught word of Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski making their way up to Chicago, though no one has had the corresponding moves just yet. What we do know is that Wesneski would...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 23, 2024: Studs and Duds of the Week

    As I typed this, news broke that the Cubs were promoting Matt Mervis from Iowa to Chicago. So, we'll start this week's Studs and Duds on the Cubs farm with Mervis, who has been impressive this season. Plus, Kevin Alcántara...

    What Happened to Bears’ Arlington Move? Watch Out For Cards, New and Texans Unis, and Other Bears Bullets

    This afternoon's forecast in Chicago calls for afternoon rainstorms, which means I need to tweak my schedule to get my regularly scheduled walk in without getting soaked. Wish me luck! The Chicago Bears are reportedly set to announce lakefront stadium...

    Get ‘Em While They’re Down: Cubs vs Astros – Series Preview

    Cubs vs Astros — Splitting a four-gamer against the current, badly-struggling Miami Marlins is unquestionably a bad outcome, especially when one of those two losses was a win-in-hand that slipped away into the seats. But the typical, and maddeningly correct,...

    REPORT: Cubs Are Calling Up Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski

    I was literally in the middle of an article asking "What Are the Cubs Going to Do with Matt Mervis," when this news came across the wire. The Cubs first base picture is fully settled with the left-handed Michael Busch...

    Latest News

    Kawhi Leonard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    Kawhi Leonard needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Kawhi Leonard's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Two Bulls Assistants Are Out as Billy Donovan Makes Changes to His Staff

    Changes are already underway for the Chicago Bulls According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Bulls coaching staff is due for a shuffle. HOF player and long-time coach Maurice Cheeks is reportedly leaving his position as a full-time member of...

    2024 Zurich Classic Sleeper Picks: Target These Two Longshot Teams

    Zurich Classic Sleeper Picks - The Zurich Classic, a thrilling and unique team event on the PGA Tour, is set to take place at the picturesque TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. This Pete Dye design, renowned for its water hazards...

    Cubs with a Flurry of Roster Moves Involving SIX Players

    We've been trying to piece this series of Cubs roster moves together all day, but we didn't have the full picture until now. There are a lot of moving parts - and we already have a dedicated article on the...

    2024 Los Angeles Chargers Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Wide Receiver & Tackle

    The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and the Los Angeles Chargers hold the coveted fifth overall pick. With a young, dynamic quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers are poised to make a serious playoff run. But to take that...

    FanDuel Promo Code: $5 Bet on NBA Wins You $150 Including Bucks vs Pacers

    In the dynamic world of sports betting, the FanDuel promo code stands out as a great way to start on a premier platform for enthusiasts looking to elevate their NBA betting experience. With the NBA season in full swing, the...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    Paul George Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    The Los Angeles Clippers play the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Clippers' Paul George drains four 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Paul George's Three-Pointer...

    James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    The Los Angeles Clippers face the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Clippers' James Harden drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.James Harden's Three-Pointer...

    Kyrie Irving Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Clippers – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    Kyrie Irving needs to make four 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Dallas Mavericks play the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Kyrie Irving's Three-Pointer Prop...

    more cubs news