The Cubs put up a four spot early as the semi-regulars and regulars were smacking the ball around against Carson Fulmer, and they ultimately beat the White Sox today 6-5 at Sloan.
Opening Day starter Jon Lester got in his 30-ish pitches of work, walking the first guy he faced on four, but then striking out the next, and then getting two groundouts to end the first inning. He didn’t quite get through the next inning, allowing a walk and a hit, and striking out a couple more. On the stadium gun, he was apparently sitting only in the high-80s, but, at his age, and in the first outing of the Spring, that actually might be right where you want to see him. No sense in maxing out.
Ian Happ did it again, leading another game off with a home run. And then in his second at bat, leading off the second inning, he doubled. I think the Cubs are gonna just need to go ahead and play every game from here on out in Arizona with Happ leading off.
We got to see some Oscar De La Cruz there at the end of the game, and although he battled his command a bit, he’s usually good on that front, and the stuff looked good. He’s got so much life on his fastball, and it’s easy to see why the Cubs have dreamed on him for so long.
Dario Alvarez has a heck of a slider … when he can locate it.
Willson Contreras ripped two liners for outs in his first two at bats, but sent out a deep double in his final at bat of the day:
Adventures in the outfield:
https://twitter.com/kg_holler/status/968583775604150276
Other notes and visuals from the day:
https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/968536739223515137
https://twitter.com/CarrieMuskat/status/968553149551206400