The Cubs won their fourth straight today, beating the Mariners 8-5. Thanks to the weirdness of Spring Training records, that has the Cubs TIED for first place in the Cactus League! Woot. Cactus League playoffs, here we come baby!!!
⇒ On the day it was confirmed he’s in the rotation, Drew Smyly allowed just one run in his 2.2 innings of work, but there was a lot of traffic, and not the highest level of efficiency. No reason for worry or anything, just describing the day as it was. Ultimately, once you’re “in the rotation,” it’s all the more just about getting your arm built up, working on all your grips, your mechanics, etc.
⇒ Another strong couple innings for Jesse Chavez, who seems pretty likely to make the Opening Day bullpen if any of the non-roster pitchers makes it. If he’s healthy and throwing like he usually does, seems like a good idea to have another versatile arm in the mix.
⇒ It was a day for particularly fun homers, with Seiya Suzuki hitting his first spring dinger with the Cubs (first hit), and Clint Frazier going deep, too:
Home run, Seiya Suzuki!
ホームラン、鈴木誠也選手! pic.twitter.com/Fw7FQILdn0
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 30, 2022
Please enjoy @suzuki_seiya_sb's destruction of a baseball. pic.twitter.com/PH2hhhDq2Q
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 30, 2022
Seiya Suzuki’s first hit with the #Cubs, homer. pic.twitter.com/tuzCipYRbv
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) March 30, 2022
RT if you love home runs. pic.twitter.com/DcjNBYIMJH
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 30, 2022
⇒ Nico Hoerner had a couple hits in this one. Ditto Frank Schwindel, including this ABSOLUTE SCREAMING ROCKET SHOT DOUBLE (in the scorebook):
Line drive double in the scorebook for Frank. pic.twitter.com/QRztVUH3xZ
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 30, 2022
⇒ Another couple hits for Nick Madrigal, who just does this kinda thing a lot:
Look at how Nick Madrigal adjusts to this pitch out of the zone to hit a single to CF.
(📸: @WatchMarquee) @NickMadrigal_3 pic.twitter.com/kgyhbc1wPR
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) March 30, 2022
⇒ Andrelton Simmons is working in the field right now, but still not throwing:
Andrelton Simmons (right shoulder) taking groundballs today at camp. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/dXL8Y0zivo
— Scott Changnon (@ScottyChags) March 30, 2022