Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Beat Sox 6-5, Lester Debuts, Happ Homers Again

Feb 27, 2018

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:

Willson Contreras ends his day with an RBI-double #Cubs pic.twitter.com/B99qdp6a13

— North Side Update (@NsUpdate) February 27, 2018

Adventures in the outfield:

pic.twitter.com/2H2ud13sCy

— Kevin Marchina (@kg_holler) February 27, 2018

Other notes and visuals from the day:

#Cubs Bryant still day to day. Zobrist might see game action in a week

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 27, 2018

Too bad. Sounds like Ohtani will pitch in a B game Friday against Milwaukee, not the reg game vs Cubs. Not 100 percent certain but looks that way.
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) February 27, 2018

Former #Cubs OF Matt Szczur painted this for Tom Ricketts. Players all signed it as well pic.twitter.com/FLrAuxebTg

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) February 27, 2018

Just enjoying some afternoon @Cubs baseball. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/eLCxYVbAhX

— South Bend Cubs (@SBCubs) February 27, 2018

written by

Brett Taylor

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

STUD: Nico Hoerner Won That Game for the Cubs With Sheer Will

In a game where a rookie pitching prospect makes the best start of his career, a key set-up man has a bounceback performance after a rough start to his season, and a formerly dominant reliever toiling away in Triple-A comes...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 3, Diamondbacks 2 – April 15, 2024

Un-be-lievable. That game went from snooze-fest to nail-biter in a HURRY. And I don't think I'm too far off base saying the Cubs got pretty lucky in that one. Not only were they able to tie the game in the...

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

Chicago Cubs

NO WAY! Michael Busch Ties Cubs HR History with Yet ANOTHER Home Run

Coming into tonight's game, Michael Busch had homered in four straight contests. The streak was notable enough for all the obvious reasons, but it was especially interesting because all four long balls came with two strikes and all four came...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

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

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs are opening up a new series tonight in Arizona, and they'll do it without their ace, Justin Steele, their No. 3, Jameson Taillon, one of their top relievers, Julian Merryweather, and, their most important hitter....

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, No! Seiya Suzuki to the IL with an Oblique Injury

I hate Mondays. I hate the NL West. And I hate obliques. After losing their No. 3 starter before the season (Jameson Taillon), their ace on Opening Day (Justin Steele), and one of their best relievers a week ago (Julian...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

The West Coast is Almost Behind Us (But Not Yet!) – Cubs vs Diamondbacks Series Preview

Cubs vs Diamondbacks — This West Coast nonsense is nearly at an end. Following this three-game road series against the Diamondbacks, the Cubs will head back home for four-straight games against the Marlins at Wrigley Field, followed by a schedule...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Andrew McCutchen is an Extremely Elite Person

As NL Central dwellers, we've long known two things about Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen: (1) he's pretty darn good at baseball, and (2) he's an even better person. The latest example of both comes by way of his 300th...

Brett Taylor

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

More Fun with Michael Busch’s Historic Home Run Streak

It's still way too early to make definitive statements on the surprise offseason trade that netted the Cubs Michael Busch and Yency Almonte from the Dodgers in exchange for pitching prospect Jackson Ferris and outfield prospect Zyhir Hope. I look...

Brett Taylor

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Hector Neris Has Had a Brutal Start to the Year – But What Can the Cubs Do?

Even if there weren't concerns about his velocity-drop coming into the season, anybody would've projected regression for Hector Neris in 2024. The Cubs primary set-up man (and big offseason free agent relief signing) had a 1.71 ERA for the Astros...

Michael Cerami

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Former Cubs Pitcher Ken Holtzman Has Passed Away

Although he pitched before my time, I always think of two things when I hear the name Ken Holtzman: very good lefty, two no-hitters. Indeed, Holtzman was one of the most successful starting pitchers in Cubs history, and recorded two...

Brett Taylor

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs

STUD: Nico Hoerner Won That Game for the Cubs With Sheer Will

Michael Cerami

Apr 16, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Mets vs. Pirates: Live Stream or on TV

The New York Mets (8-8), with Jose Quintana on the hill, host the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-6) who will hand the ball to Jared Jones, at 7:10 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Mitch Haniger and the Seattle Mariners (6-10) host Spencer Steer and the Cincinnati Reds (9-6) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Seattle-Cincinnati matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Reds and when does it...

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks (8-8), led by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., host Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (9-6) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the Arizona-Chicago matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs....

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Cardinals vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

On Tuesday at 9:40 PM ET, Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (7-9) take on Shea Langeliers and the Oakland Athletics (7-9) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.See how to watch the St. Louis-Oakland matchup below.When is Cardinals vs. Athletics and...

Sam Russell

Apr 15, 2024

NHL Picks

Bruins vs. Senators Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Boston Bruins are moderate favorites (-218) at home against the Ottawa Senators (+180) on Tuesday at 7:00 PM ET.Bruins vs. Senators Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Bruins (-218)Underdog: Senators (+180)Total: 6Best Bruins vs. Senators Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1"]How to Watch Bruins...

Brian Twining

Apr 15, 2024

NHL Picks

Flyers vs. Capitals Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The Philadelphia Flyers are -135 on the moneyline versus the Washington Capitals (+114) on Tuesday, with this matchup taking place at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.Flyers vs. Capitals Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Flyers (-135)Underdog: Capitals (+114)Total: 5.5Best Flyers vs. Capitals Promo...

Brian Twining

Apr 15, 2024

NHL Picks

Red Wings vs. Canadiens Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, April 16, 2024

The sportsbooks fancy the visiting Detroit Red Wings (-162) over the Montreal Canadiens (+136) when they face off on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:00 PM ET.Red Wings vs. Canadiens Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Red Wings (-162)Underdog: Canadiens (+136)Total: 6.5Best Red Wings...

Brian Twining

Apr 15, 2024

Chicago Cubs