Spring Training Miscellany: Darvish Freakin Sizzling, Bats Crackling, Record Attendance, More
Wouldn’t it be cool to play in a division where the White Sox are probably the third best team? Alas …
The Cubs beat up on their cross-Arizona rivals, racking up 13 runs on 13 hits and 8 walks. Kris Bryant hit another homer, and just about everyone in the lineup got in on the action.
The Cubs and White Sox always draw a crowd in Arizona, and when it happens at Sloan Park, it’s bound to set an attendance record. Sure enough, it was another record day for the Cubs:
Thank you, #Cubs fans!
We’ve set another Cactus League single-game attendance record with today’s crowd of 16,069! pic.twitter.com/mp2bhXaccv
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 3, 2019
As for the starter …
- Yu Darvish was once again throwing fire – 96 mph on his fastball – and this time he collected swings and misses and strikeouts in the process. Dude was feeling VERY GOOD:
Yu Darvish was quite encouraged by his sharp performance vs the White Sox today: “I’m the best right now in my career,” he said. Why? “Because I’m throwing 97, my slider was really good and my split was good, too. That’s the best stuff in my life.” pic.twitter.com/BLHJK8Oq19
— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) March 3, 2019
- We didn’t get to hear a third inning of Darvish work because the Cubs’ offense blew up:
Darvish finishing his work in the bullpen after Cubs took too long scoring their eight runs in the second for him to wait.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) March 3, 2019
Yu Darvish, joking about the Cubs' 8-run, 12-batter second inning that forced him to finish his work on the bullpen mound:
"Every inning. This is Spring Training. I want them to save some for the season. Every inning is 30 minutes."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 3, 2019
- More on Darvish later. You’ll know he’s definitely feeling really good, and the Cubs are feeling really good about him, if one of his upcoming starts is turned into a minor league back-fields affair (i.e., no need to put him back out there against big leaguers in a fake game, because there’s nothing left to show or tune up other than just arm strength and routine).
- Another no-walk appearance for Dillon Maples, who really, really wants to make the Cubs’ bullpen:
https://twitter.com/BleacherNation/status/1102334202438144000
- Maples did give up two hits, including a homer, though. I wonder if he’s really working on getting that upper-90s fastball consistently into the zone, which is the key to making his slider absolutely indestructible.
- Speaking of AAA relievers who could totally contribute this year with great stuff but have to maximize control and also have options or aren’t on the 40-man so might not make it right out of the gate (*breathes*), Dakota Mekkes threw a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout.
- Tony Barnette gave up a solo homer in his inning of work, and he’s another guy who could totally make this bullpen, but might be squeezed out by the fact that he can be optioned to open the season and called back up as necessary.
- Junichi Tazawa struck out two in his scoreless inning of work, but he’ll have to really impress to win a job after a few down years at the big league level.
- Old friend Eloy Jimenez was held hitless.
- Jason Heyward is still not feeling great:
Jason Heyward is in camp and going through today's morning workout, but still not feeling great. Was scratched from Sat's game due to illness and sent home. Held out of the lineup one more day.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 3, 2019
- Bonus Kris Bryant shot:
Watching Kris Bryant's homer from today's Spring Training game in slow motion is addicting. pic.twitter.com/Z8PKeSjP7X
— Cubs Insider (@realcubsinsider) March 3, 2019
- Last call at the MLB Shop:
Last call: Fanatics ended its big clearance event yesterday, but the Cubs Shop extends through today – big clearance, free shipping, get on it before the day ends: https://t.co/Qsf8Pnxwh5 pic.twitter.com/cnm2Ps6rIw
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) March 3, 2019
