Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Beat Rockies 5-4, Happ Crushes AGAIN, More

Mar 05, 2018

Back to their winning Spring ways – the Cubs took today’s game from the Rockies 5-4 thanks to a Ryan Court homer in the 9th inning.

You know who freaking loves Spring Training? Ian Happ freaking loves Spring Training.

In addition to hitting his fourth home run of the Spring already, which makes him tied for the second most dingers in baseball right now, Happ also added aa single and a leadoff double, which was an absolute rocket:

Ian Happ's leadoff double today was 110 MPH off the bat and traveled 338 feet … dude wants to lead off so bad.

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 5, 2018

And as Brett pointed out, that brings his slash line for the Spring up to .471/.500/1.294 … which is good for a 1.794 OPS. Obviously we’re talking about a tiny sample size here, but that’s impressive for any player, let alone a 23-year-old switch-hitter who can play center field and second base, run well, and is entering just his first full big league season in 2018.

And speaking of his switch-hitting abilities:

Happ HR. Got out Fast. 4 homers this spring. 2 righty/2 lefty

— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) March 5, 2018

Happ was better from the left side of the plate last season, which fits well in a platoon with Albert Almora, but if he’s making improvements on both sides of the plate, that bat might be too potent to keep out of the lineup very long.

Outside of Happ, the Cubs managed nine other hits and five walks. No one had a multi-hit game, but Schwarber did lace a double and Rizzo hit his second homer of the Spring (and also a drew one of those walks):

.@Cubs Anthony RIzzo's dinger in the 3rd. #StatcastST pic.twitter.com/Zs7SNG2Ngv

— Daren Willman (@darenw) March 5, 2018

Needless to say, the Cubs hitters were impressing many:

@Cubs CF Happ and LF Schwarber really nice diving catches in bottom 2nd! Oh yea Both of them with 2b's also!!

— Rick Sutcliffe (@Sut_ESPN) March 5, 2018

From the pitching side of things, Kyle Hendricks tossed three innings today and allowed two earned runs on three hits, but gave up zero free passes and struck out four. That’s a fine Spring start for a veteran starter like Hendricks.

Brian Duensing got in after Hendricks and tosses a scoreless inning of his own. And Eddie Butler got some action, but did allow three hits and two earned runs in his inning of work. He remains fully in the 7th/8th starter zone.

Pitching prospect Oscar De La Cruz threw a scoreless 9th (2 Ks, 1 BB) for the save.

Keeping with the pitchers for a minute, you can watch new Cubs coach Brian Butterfield discussing Jon Lester’s inability to throw to first base here:

Video: Cubs coach Brian Butterfield on Jon Lester throwing to a base vs. throwing to a batter https://t.co/7wYtyBnF0r via @PWSullivan pic.twitter.com/aRyWO0RAPp
— ChicagoSports (@ChicagoSports) March 5, 2018

I know it’s not necessarily Cubs-related, but this catch from Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton has my jaw on the ground:

BILLY! IT'S JUST SPRING TRAINING. my word. pic.twitter.com/zKQaD1DlVK

— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) March 5, 2018

Here’s some other sights and sounds from the day:

https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/970652048978046977

#MondayMotivaton = #EverybodyIn! pic.twitter.com/89rFP5cG5N

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 5, 2018

Good day at work. #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/kwl9qgvQ6x

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 6, 2018

It was also Kyle Schwarber’s 25th birthday today:

Wishing a happy 25th birthday to @kschwarb12! pic.twitter.com/l1L0XY4YrS

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 5, 2018

… So I had a little fun:

Have a rockin' 25th birthday, dude. #Schwarbs pic.twitter.com/zJp5byK9Qr

— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 5, 2018

Brett Taylor contributed to this post.

written by

Michael Cerami

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) and Will Smith (four hits last time out) are favored (-199) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Washington Nationals (10-13) on Thursday at 4:05 PM ET on MLB Network.Los Angeles' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

Brett Taylor

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12) at 2:35 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Caleb Raleigh has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The San Diego Padres (14-13) are favorites (-150) on the moneyline when they take on the Colorado Rockies (6-19) Thursday at 3:10 PM ET, live on SDPA.Randy Vasquez will get the ball for San Diego while Colorado will counter with...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

After winning three games in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) play on the road against the Washington Nationals (10-13) at 4:05 PM ET on Thursday.The probable starters are Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1) for the Dodgers and MacKenzie Gore (2-1)...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Kansas City Royals (15-10) are favored on the moneyline (-121) in Thursday's contest versus the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12). Game time is at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays, with +168 odds, are favored against the spread...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Houston Astros (7-18) visit the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Jose Altuve has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Colorado Rockies (6-19) face off against the San Diego Padres (14-13) at home on Thursday beginning at 3:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Randy Vasquez (0-1) for the Padres and Dakota Hudson (0-4) for the Rockies.Padres vs. Rockies Pitcher...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) Thursday at 12:35 PM ET, airing on BSWI. The Brewers are listed as -128 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Pirates have +107 odds for the contest.Freddy...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Beat Rockies 5-4, Happ Crushes AGAIN, More

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular