Spring Training Miscellany: Cubs Win Yet Again, Wesneski Solid, Brown Impressive, Wick Dominant, More

Despite striking out 15 times against just 1 walk, the Cubs won this one easily thanks to some well-time hits and ill-timed Mariners goofs. Oh, and thanks to more great pitching, but that’s kind of a given at this point. That’s six straight wins for the Cubs, and dang I wish this was a lock to translate in the big leagues ….

  • Hayden Wesneski was solid again today, even if less flashy than in his spring debut. He didn’t quite finish his three innings today, though some of that was due to a throwing error of his own, and then a miscommunication error by Tucker Barnhart. Wesneski seemed to be working “up” a lot today, which may have been an accident or may have been by design (he works up a lot anyway, but maybe it was a particular focus today). It was more successful than not, though Ty France and Cal Raleigh were all over him.
  • One France at bat, in particular, was interesting. He was absolutely sitting on Wesneski’s slider early in the count (ripping one deep but foul), and then was all over the fastball (ripping one deep and just fair for a double). Had the look of a guy who was very confident in what pitches he was getting, and then it repeated itself in his second at bat against Wesneski. I actually like that it happened. Might’ve been nothing, but since I didn’t really notice it for the other Mariners regulars (JP Crawford looked downright befuddled twice), I wonder if France was seeing something that tipped him off on pitch release, or had some other way to discern what was coming (good guesses on sequencing, for example). It provides some opportunity to discuss whether there was anything there before the games that matter.
  • I really like watching Ben Brown pitch:
  • Brown didn’t have his best command over his two scoreless innings, but the stuff pops off the screen.
  • Edwin Rios hits the ball a long way, but also has some good wheels:
  • That was Brennen Davis scoring on the play, after he’d hit a ground-rule double. He continues to look healthy. That’s what you wanted to see.
  • Rowan Wick looked really good for the second straight time, and I think he’s going to be fine for the opening of the season. I don’t have any doubt he breaks camp in the bullpen. He might have to pitch well from there to hold onto the spot all season, but I think the Cubs just have a lot of confidence in him.
  • Pete Crow-Armstolen:
  • https://twitter.com/WatchMarquee/status/1632843480690049031

  • I really hope we get a dedicated GIF of the replay on this, because Kevin Alcántara did a COMPLETELY ridiculous over-the-top slide, and it was fun as heck:
  • written by

    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

    Jurickson Profar Robbed a Would-Be Mookie Betts Homer … But Let the Poor Guy Think It Left the Park

    This is an incredible home run robbery. That's the first thing here. You can appreciate, especially on replay, just how hard it was to glove this ball. But the second thing - and what is going to be remembered -...

    Cole Kmet Time? Offensive and Defensive Keys to Victory, Weird London Football, and Other Bears Bullets

    Good morning and happy Sunday! With a win today, the Chicago Bears could be above .500 in October for the first time since 2022. We'll look past the fact that it lasted just one day because an Oct. 2, 2022...

    Struggling Against the NL Central, Ohtani, Kershaw, Murakami, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Vandy over Bama, eh? I saw some texts while it was happening, but I had postseason baseball on the TV all day yesterday. It's just perfect weekend background material while we do our family stuff and whatnot, since I don't...

    MLB Playoff Highlights: Ohtani’s Debut, Yankees Eke One Out, More

    The Divisional Series all kicked off yesterday, with some marquee names entering the MLB playoff mix. Dodgers 7, Padres 5 - Los Angeles Leads Series 1-0 Shohei Ohtani's long-awaited playoff debut did not disappoint, as he homered and singled, driving...

    No Rizzo, Musgrove Surgery, Cardinals Coaches, Playoff Schedule, and Other Cubs Bullets

    I thought season two of 'Rings of Power' was solid. I think you do have to be pretty into that fantasy world overall to REALLY love it, but even as more of a casual, I just enjoyed the high quality....

    The Brewers’ Quick Exit Should Be a Reminder for the Cubs Front Office About Goal-Setting

    This year, the Milwaukee Brewers (93-69) were FAR better than the Chicago Cubs (83-79) in the regular season, winning the NL Central with a comfortable 10-game lead in the division. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, the Phillies (95-67) and Dodgers (98-64) were...

    Top Japanese Starting Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano Reportedly Plans to Come to MLB This Offseason

    I always watch closely the pool of international players coming over to Major League Baseball anyway, but now that it's clear the Cubs are trying to build out a more explicit pipeline from Japan to Chicago, I monitor the NPB...

    MLB Pipeline’s Updated Top-100 Prospect List Features EIGHT Cubs, the Most in Baseball

    Get it all out up front: big league wins are all that matters, Cubs are at home during the playoffs, prove it on the field, etc., etc. All true. All fine. But having loads of top-tier prospects is inarguably a...

    Minnesota Front Office Shakeup, Brewers Bounced, Coaching Search, Playoffs, Prior, and Other Cubs Bullets

    I hope you and your friends and family have a very nice weekend ... Another big front office change is coming, with the Minnesota Twins announcing that Thad Levine, who has been the team's GM for nearly a decade, is...

    REPORT: Cincinnati Reds Hiring Terry Francona as Manager

    I gotta say, I'm a little bit stunned. I didn't think the Cincinnati Reds quite had it in them to do what it would take to lure a top-tier manager this offseason, but apparently it's happening. Terry Francona is coming...

    Latest News

    Sacramento State vs. Portland State Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 2

    The Sacramento State Hornets square off against a conference opponent when they visit the Portland State Vikings on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Hornet Stadium in a Big Sky battle.Looking to attend this game live? College football tickets are available...

    McNeese vs. Texas A&M-Commerce Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 2

    Southland opponents square off when the McNeese Cowboys and the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions match up on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Cowboy Stadium (LA).Looking to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available on Vivid Seats.McNeese vs. Texas...

    Coastal Carolina vs. Appalachian State Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 7

    The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers meet a fellow Sun Belt foe when they visit the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Brooks Stadium (SC) on Thursday, November 7, 2024.Hoping to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available on Vivid Seats.Coastal...

    Nevada vs. Colorado State Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 2

    The Nevada Wolf Pack and the Colorado State Rams square off on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Mackay Stadium in a battle of MWC teams.Hoping to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available on Vivid Seats.Nevada vs....

    UCLA vs. Iowa Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 8

    The UCLA Bruins face a fellow Big Ten opponent when they visit the Iowa Hawkeyes at the Rose Bowl on Friday, November 8, 2024.Hoping to attend this game live? College football tickets are available on Vivid Seats.UCLA vs. Iowa Tickets...

    San Diego State vs. New Mexico Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 8

    MWC foes square off when the San Diego State Aztecs and the New Mexico Lobos match up on Friday, November 8, 2024 at Snapdragon Stadium.Looking to attend this game live? College football tickets are available on Vivid Seats.San Diego State...

    Wake Forest vs. Cal Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 8

    ACC foes square off when the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the California Golden Bears play on Friday, November 8, 2024 at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.Looking to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available on Vivid...

    East Tennessee State vs. Western Carolina Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 9

    The East Tennessee State Buccaneers and the Western Carolina Catamounts play on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium in a battle of SoCon teams.Hoping to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available on...

    Texas vs. Florida Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 9

    The No. 1 Texas Longhorns and the Florida Gators play on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in a clash of SEC teams.Hoping to attend this game in person? College football tickets are available on Vivid Seats.Texas vs....

    East Carolina vs. Florida Atlantic Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Nov. 7

    The East Carolina Pirates meet a fellow AAC opponent when they visit the Florida Atlantic Owls at Bagwell Field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Thursday, November 7, 2024.Hoping to attend this game live? College football tickets are available on Vivid Seats.East...

    more cubs news