Spring Training Miscellany: Comeback Cubs Win 9th Straight, Homers Arrive, Bullpen Contenders
Oh no, the Cubs are down 5-0 and they’re going to lose their eight-game winning streak …
OH YE OF LITTLE (fake spring training game) FAITH!!!
Eight runs later, and the Cubs beat the Reds today 8-6. That’s nine wins in a row (eight in the Cactus League, and one against Canada).
- Dansby Swanson knows what’s up:
- That was the last of three homers in the inning, the other two having come from Trey Mancini and Patrick Wisdom. Need lots of power this year.
- On the less positive side, Jameson Taillon gave up some loud contact today to the Reds, and four of those runs. But the truth is, that will simply never concern me for an established starting pitcher in Spring Training.
- Brandon Hughes’ whole thing – delivery, arm angle, pitch location, and pitch movement – is genetically engineered to get swords:
- Julian Merryweather’s stuff just pops off the screen. If he makes the bullpen (I suspect he will), it’s not going to be solely because he doesn’t have options left.
- Speaking of guys who very well might make the bullpen, Tyler Duffey looked good again today, too. His big league track record probably helps, because he’s been quite good before, and for a long time.
- Back-up, back-up catcher Luis Torrens is putting up silly numbers this spring. He’s really got a nice looking bat. I am less sure of the glove being on par with the two Cubs starters, but maybe he’d be a solid fill-in overall if and when there’s an injury.
