The Cubs game today is later tonight, but I had some bits to share, so I’ll just drop them now. Including some of the work the regulars were doing back at Sloan in an intrasquad game …
Stroman and Justin Steele are pitching in a sim game at Sloan Park. Suzuki, Jason Heyward, Frank Schwindel, Jonathan Villar and Nick Madrigal are #Cubs getting at-bats vs. them.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) April 3, 2022
Seiya Suzuki is apparently too dangerous for intrasquad games. The first time he nearly smoked pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza, and this time he thunked Justin Steele:
Suzuki hits some rockets. He just scorched a ball back up the middle off Steele’s glute: pic.twitter.com/gSBQby7hua
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) April 3, 2022
I assume from the joking that followed among the beats in attendance that Steele was fine. Obviously if you’re going to be hit by a comebacker, the glute is the best place.
It’s *possible* this alignment could arrive some year in the future, though it might be a little while:
Stroman’s outing is underway. Of note: Cristian Hernandez playing short, Nick Madrigal at second. pic.twitter.com/5XDhZY0h7k
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 3, 2022
Stroman versus Suzuki, with Suzuki fouling out on a groundball (something that happens in fake games), and Suzuki striking out after a long at bat:
Stroman threw 14 of 16 pitches for strikes in his 2nd inning. His breaking pitches (backdoor to LHH/inside to RHH) have been especially sharp today.
Here’s Stroman v. Suzuki… pic.twitter.com/KLwNW4qwcL
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 3, 2022
Marcus Stroman ends an 85-pitch outing with a 9-pitch battle with Seiya Suzuki. Down 0-2, worked count full, finally goes down swinging. pic.twitter.com/QLmpBwzB5h
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) April 3, 2022
This must’ve been a great catch in right field, because the crowd reaction is fun:
Stroman and Steele started in an intrasquad scrimmage. Heyward, Suzuki, Schwindel, Villar are among the big-leaguers getting at-bats. Madrigal’s also playing 2B.
Here’s Steele vs. Suzuki: pic.twitter.com/EEDO5ckqF4
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) April 3, 2022
Stroman goes 5 innings and throws 85 pitches in the sim game, setting him up to make his #Cubs debut Friday.
Steele went 4 innings and 71 pitches.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) April 3, 2022
Highlights from today’s sim game at Sloan Park. pic.twitter.com/lyO8QSbTSI
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 3, 2022
Random old friend edition – dude’s homers were always just different, and this one is ridiculous (worth having the sound on):
Here's a look at Kyle Schwarber's homer to right. pic.twitter.com/vLgiKxZ2zE
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) April 3, 2022
You know how Sean Manaea was traded by the A’s to the Padres this morning? Well he immediately joined up and started for the Padres today … against the A’s:
Sean Manaea is smiling and wearing a green glove because well…
he's starting against the team that traded him five hours ago pic.twitter.com/FxhT1f2cIc
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 3, 2022
Totally random highlight because I happened to see it, and thought you might enjoy:
RAFAEL DEVERS ISN’T HUMAN! #RedSox | #DirtyWater | #MLBpic.twitter.com/BCjA3mJJU9
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 3, 2022
Gotta love homers that come on pitches you shouldn’t even be swinging at (but apparently he should!).