Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs 18, Rockies 4; Reds 9, Cubs 5 – March 28, 2015

arizona cactusIt was a wild, split-squad day for the Chicago Cubs, who simultaneously lost to the Reds 9-5, and whooped the Rockies 18-4. So, really, the Cubs beat the Reds and Rockies today 23-13. Only in Spring Training.

What with the games not being televised and me doing some family time stuff with my son and my mom, I don’t have much in the way of first-hand observations, but here are the high points …

  • Not only did Jake Arrieta dominate in his four innings against the Rockies, he also clubbed a no-doubter and a double. And get this: his home run was the Cubs’ only home run in a game in which they scored 18 runs.
  • Kris Bryant went 4-5 in the game, with a double. That’s two straight games without a homer. Hopefully he’s out of this slump by late April.
  • Matt Szczur, who is trying to win a bench job, had a hit and a walk and scored three times, though he did strike out three times, as well. Ditto Junior Lake on the hit and the strikeouts, but no walks for him to day. Ditto Ryan Sweeney on the hit, but not the walks or strikeouts.
  • Although he had just one hit on the day, from the sound of things, Addison Russell remains highly impressive with the glove.
  • The Cubs were an hilarious 11 for 26 with runners in scoring position against the Rockies. Just bananas.
  • Drake Britton was the first in after Jake Arrieta in the Rockies game, and he pitched a scoreless frame, allowing a hit and striking out one. Given his upside and his lack of options, I strongly suspect the Cubs are still considering carrying a second lefty (Phil Coke being the first), and holding onto Britton.
  • Zac Rosscup, also being considered as a second left, also pitched a scoreless inning and struck out two. The rub for Rosscup is that he does have options left.
  • It appears that Jason Motte once again didn’t have his command, walking two and giving up a three-run homer after giving up a solo homer.
  • Javy Baez did strikeout once today, but he also notched a couple more singles. He did have a throwing error in the field.
  • The game against the Reds was entirely staffed by minor leaguers (staff, meaning pitching staff), so there’s not a ton to take away from it, at least in terms of big league roster projections, which tends to be my focus in these things.
  • 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

    Chicago Cubs Game 1 Lineup: There’s Alexander Canario!

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have not one, but two games to play today! Here's a look at their lineup for Game 1 against the left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B Patrick Wisdom, RF Chris Morel, DH...

    A Lot of Baseball on Tap, Hoerner at Leadoff, Amaya’s Offense, Hoyer on Hendricks, and Other Cubs Bullets

    We've got at least 18 innings of baseball on tap today, and I am jazzed about it. There's nothing like filling up a Saturday with your favorite team (unless, of course, you're a fan of the 2024 White Sox). I...

    Cubs Add a Fresh Arm as the 27th Man for Today’s Double Header vs Miami

    Per multiple reports, Luke Little will be the 27th man for today's double-header against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. Luke Little Is Back (For Today) Little, you'll recall, made the team out of spring training and had some nice...

    Jameson Taillon’s Postgame Comments Make Me Feel Even Better About His 2024 Debut

    After missing all of spring training and the start of the season with a back injury, Jameson Taillon returned to the Chicago Cubs rotation yesterday against the Marlins in impressive fashion: 5.0 IP, 3H, 0BB, 4Ks. He looked good, he...

    Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

    In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

    And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

    Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

    With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

    Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

    MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

    Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

    Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

    Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

    Latest News

    Mariners vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners (9-10) will vie for their fourth straight victory when they visit the Colorado Rockies (4-15) on Saturday at 8:10 PM ET on ROOT Sports NW. The Mariners are listed as -186 favorites by sportsbooks, while the Rockies...

    Blue Jays vs. Padres Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Toronto Blue Jays (11-9) visit the San Diego Padres (11-11) for an away game at PETCO Park on Saturday. First pitch is at 8:40 PM ET.The Blue Jays will look to Jose Berrios (3-0) against the Padres and Randy...

    Chicago Cubs Game 1 Lineup: There’s Alexander Canario!

    CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have not one, but two games to play today! Here's a look at their lineup for Game 1 against the left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B Patrick Wisdom, RF Chris Morel, DH...

    Caris LeVert Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 1, Saturday, April 20, 2024

    At 1:00 PM ET on Saturday, in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic, with Caris LeVert needing two treys to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Caris LeVert's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 1, Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Cleveland Cavaliers play the Orlando Magic at 1:00 PM ET on Saturday, in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires four triples from Donovan Mitchell.Donovan...

    Franz Wagner Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – NBA Playoffs Game 1, Saturday, April 20, 2024

    On Saturday at 1:00 PM ET, the Orlando Magic play the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Franz Wagner's 3-pointer prop for this clash requires two treys.Franz Wagner's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

    Devin Booker Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 1, Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Phoenix Suns play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Suns' Devin Booker drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Devin Booker's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Cole Anthony Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Cavaliers – NBA Playoffs Game 1, Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Orlando Magic meet the Cleveland Cavaliers at 1:00 PM ET on Saturday, in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one trifecta from Cole...

    Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Suns – NBA Playoffs Game 1, Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves meet the Phoenix Suns on Saturday at 3:30 PM ET in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Timberwolves' Karl-Anthony Towns makes two 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer Prop...

    Kevin Durant Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 1, Saturday, April 20, 2024

    At 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Phoenix Suns versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Kevin Durant needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Kevin Durant's Three-Pointer Prop...

    more cubs news

    Latest News