Cubs vs Rockies: The (Freezing, Rainy, Wonderful) Home Opener at Wrigley Field!

Cubs vs Rockies — It’s the Home Opener … which means it’s freezing cold and rainy! Because of course! I’ll still be there out in the right field bleachers cheering on Seiya Suzuki and the Cubs. It’s just that I’m thinking about wearing long underwear for this one. In fact, yeah, I will be. It’s a veteran move and you can’t tell me otherwise.

I’m going to try to be at Nisei Lounge before the game, with some other BN writers (Eli and Luis). Unfortunately, Brett (back, 15-Day IL) is out injured for this one and can’t make it. He’s legitimately heartbroken about it, and he’ll be missed.

In any case, the Cubs escaped Texas with one convincing (albeit late-earned) win in the finale, but they were a blown save away from taking two of three on the road against the reigning champs, so not terrible start to the season. Really, if it weren’t for the Justin Steele injury, I’d feel pretty good right now. There’s a lot to like all around the diamond.

Ian Happ – After getting on base five times yesterday, Happ’s got a .500 OBP on the early season, tied with (among others) Corey Seager and Ronald Acuña Jr. – exactly what you want out of your leadoff hitter.

Seiya Suzuki hasn’t gotten too many positive results just yet, but he’s absolutely smacking the ball (92.2 MPH, 53.8 hard%), and making a lot of contact (13 balls in play already)

Cody Bellinger has four walks against just one strikeout and collected a couple of key RBI.

Christopher Morel’s defense has been shaky, but the offense is as good as you can want: .357/.357/.714 (166 wRC+); HR. And he’s looked calm and confident at the plate.

Dansby Swanson has a 99.9 MPH average exit velocity through the first three games, which is tied for the fourth highest in MLB.

Michael Busch is elevating, barreling up, and hitting the ball as hard as anyone in baseball, and is also having mostly well-controlled plate appearances. Not a ton of results yet either, but I’m really happy with how he’s looked so far.

There’s a little less to say about Yan Gomes, Miguel Amaya, Nico Hoerner, and Mike Tauchman (for one reason or another), but I think the overall narrative here is very positive … offensively, at least.

Defensively, the Cubs have had some issues that they’ll have to clean up. But that’s a little surprising, because with the exception of third base, this is a pretty sound defensive roster. And as far as starting pitching goes, you know the deal. Losing Jameson Taillon and (more importantly) Justin Steele at the same time is bruuuuuutal. So here’s hoping Shota Imanaga, who’s making his first MLB start today at Wrigley, looks exactly as good as he did in the Spring.

Speaking of which, it’ll be Imanaga today, Javier Assad tomorrow, and then we’re still TBD on Wednesday, which would’ve been Justin Steele’s start. It’s possible the Cubs try to piggyback Drew Smyly and Ben Brown for that one, but we might need to see how these next two games go before being sure.

The Rockies are one of the worst teams in baseball this year, and they opened up the season dropping three of four to the Diamondbacks in Arizona. The Cubs should really take at least two of three this week, that is … if the Cubs are even able to get all three games in (the weather).

Cubs vs Rockies – Pitching Probables:

Game 1: Monday, April 1 at 1:20 CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP

Rockies: Dakota Hudson, RHP

Game 2: Tuesday, April 2 at 6:40 CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Cubs: Javier Assad, RHP

Rockies: Kyle Freeland, LHP

Game 3: Wednesday, April 3 at 6:40 CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Cubs: TBD (Drew Smyly?)

Rockies: Cal Quantrill, RHP

Cubs vs Rockies – Key Injuries:

Chicago Cubs:

Patrick Wisdom, IF/OF

Jameson Taillon, SP

Justin Steele, SP

Caleb Kilian, SP

Colorado Rockies:

Lucas Gilbreath, RP

Daniel Bard, RP

German Márquez, SP

Antonio Senatela, SP