Spring Training Miscellany: Rockies Thump the Cubs, Lester Debuts, Happ, Wieck, More
The Cubs got knocked around by the Rockies today, and didn’t even get a homer from one of their catchers. Total loss.
- Jon Lester’s abbreviated Spring Training debut featured poor defense behind him, and a number of hits. It should concern you zero, relative to anything you already felt about Lester’s anticipated 2020 season (which is to say: at his age, it is always possible he could fall way off or get hurt at any time, but he’s still a fair bet to be a solid 4/5 starter).
- Indeed, the only newsworthy bit was that Lester was on the mound for David Ross’s first ever yank:
In his first game as Cubs manager, David Ross has to go get the ball from Jon Lester.
Lester: 1+ IP, 3 H, 5 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 9 BF, 31 pitches. pic.twitter.com/arEiReCSBc
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 25, 2020
- Each of Duane Underwood, Jr. and James Norwood gave up four hits in their innings of work. Rex Brothers looked good again in a two-strikeout performance.
- Nice to see Cubs pitching prospect Tyson Miller get in an inning of work, 1-2-3 with two strikeouts. He’ll be a key part of the Iowa Cubs rotation to open the season, and possibly big league starting depth if necessary.
- This is such a beautiful shot, by which I mostly mean the video, but seeing Ian Happ go the other way from the right-handed side is beautiful:
A double to the gap scores three for Ian Happ. pic.twitter.com/TvQMrHKhCf
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 25, 2020
- Big lefty Brad Wieck is away from the team right now, and no reason has been released. We’ll assume for now that it’s a personal matter and he’ll be back when he’s back, competing for a bullpen spot.
- Upcoming starting pitchers:
Upcoming starters: Hendricks (Wed), Rea (Thu), Chatwood (Fri).
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 25, 2020
- Great stuff:
Five @AdvocateKids All-Stars enjoyed a VIP experience at Cubs Spring Training during the annual #KidsCubsCactus trip!@AmericanAir | @MarriottBonvoy pic.twitter.com/Inm55iQyJ3
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 25, 2020
