Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 2, Rangers 0 – April 7, 2023
We had to wait a little longer for it, but the Cubs got back on the field today and won again. Much like Opening Day – which was also at Wrigley and featured Marcus Stroman starting – the Cubs won exactly like they’re going to have to win a lot this year: no mistakes, great defense, excellent starting and relief pitching, and just enough timely hitting.
Stroman threw his second straight scoreless six-inning start to begin the season, and though he didn’t have his best control today, he did have good stuff. Not only did he strike out six, he also got EIGHT groundouts against ZERO air outs. It was a perfect example of how Stroman and this defense can work so well together this year.
From there, Mark Leiter Jr. got the 7th and looked good, and Michael Fulmer got the 8th AND the 9th, looking dominant in the process. That was really awesome.
Offensively, the Cubs didn’t get much cooking, but Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ came through in big spots. When you lose a game 5-2, you talk about how the offense really struggled, but hey, when you win 2-0, you talk about how the offense did just enough! (I’m not even kidding, since that’s really how it’s going to be for the Cubs this year. Some games, the offense is simply going to have to do the bare minimum.)
Also: another great day out in the bleachers. That’s two beautiful April days in the bleachers for me this year, which is probably more than I’ve had in the last five seasons combined. Thanks, weather!
And thanks, Cubs. Back to .500.
