One and two. In more ways than one.
One and two. That describes the Cubs record this season through three games. A large number of teams will be one and two after three games. Maybe as many as half, probably a little less. It is predictive of nothing. Would “oh” and three have been worse? Somewhat, but not massively. There are no “big” wins in March. Of that, there is no question. Though if you’ve spent any time as a blogger or sportswriter, you appreciate that one and two a bit more.
For one day, the fandom can take a collective sigh. Was it a work of art? No. Has anything you worried about last week or through Spring Training gone away now? No. Though, in a few spots you might have a little budding optimism. The offense was fearsome last night. That’s great to see. And more than anything, there were contributions up and down the lineup.
Our brains would generally group these first three games as two and one, but you’ll excuse me if I use the transitive property. One game in America. Two games in Japan. One. And two. One game against an ordinary team. Two games against the defending champs. A formidable team that somehow added more talent after winning the World Series. A team that was terrifying despite having two of its most historically potent players out.
So one and two it is. You want to find a way to compete with the rampaging Dodgers. You aren’t there yet. But you were more than a Diamondbacks team that was in the World Series just two years ago could handle. It’s one game. I wouldn’t write the Diamondbacks obituary any more than I would have the Cubs a week ago. One and two. It’s not glorious, but it doesn’t mean much.
Ian Happ. You could run a poll every year for what day it will be during the season when the Cub fandom turns on him, decides he is trash and wonders if we could get some three star prospect playing in High-A for him. Ian Happ is simultaneously a star in this league and a hidden gem. Most Cubs fans don’t realize that he’s a perennial top player in baseball. No, not tippy top. He’s certainly not at that Hall of Fame level. Or even MVP contender level. Though he did spend a few months in the picture once. He’s won Gold Gloves. He’s played in All-Star games. And he’s one of the more consistently productive major league players.
Cubs fans are going to spend his whole career lamenting the things that he is not. There have been enough Sammy Sosas and Ryne Sandbergs and so on for this city to not greatly appreciate a guy who just goes out and gives you strong production year after year. Well, and the steroid era. We as fans gradually fell in love with video game numbers.
Ryne Sandberg is a fun conversation for Ian. Both are stellar defenders at their position. Both are known to have one long dry spell every season. Sandberg’s were usually in April. He was a perennial slow starter, particularly early in his career. Ian’s are less predictable. He gets off to some decent starts. But we’ll look up in late May or early June and there will be some frustrated that he’s still in the lineup every day.
Then Ian will get hot. But the thing with Ian is it isn’t Sammy Sosa or Alfonso Soriano hot. It’s more like Mark Grace hot. It isn’t a barrage of homers. It’s just a bunch of 1-for-4 days becoming 2-for-4 days. Singles are doubles as a few line drives start finding gaps and a few gappers find the bleachers. If you held a gun to my head and said I had to identify one Cub who would produce to his “baseball card” numbers or better, I’ll take Happ. Up and down the lineup, I think of ranges of numbers. Ian’s ranges are pretty small. He’s going to be a very productive hitter. And all too many will worry about what he isn’t instead of enjoying it.
Three Stars
- Ian Happ. Double, homer, walk, two runs, three runs driven in. Love it.
- Miguel Amaya. Two doubles. Five runs driven in. A lot of production from the nine spot.
- Nico Hoerner. Two hits. Walk. Run. Run driven in. One of my favorite players.
I won’t usually give commentary here, but I have to talk here. One of the things I brought up in the BCB roundtable was how important health and depth were to this team. This one didn’t reach into the bench at all. But this is what I envision this team as if it is going to be good. No, not 10 runs a night. I mean eight guys with hits. Just three extra base hits. Six different guys scored runs. Six walks. A stolen base. Matt Shaw scored three runs and wouldn’t crack my top five in this game. On a day when the pitching staff got battered. Yes, please.
Game 3, March 27: Cubs 10, Diamondbacks 6 (1-2)
Fangraphs
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
- Superhero: Ian Happ (.271). 2-5, HR, 2B, BB, 3 RBI, 2 R
- Hero: Miguel Amaya (.199). 2-5, 2 2B, 5 RBI
- Sidekick: Kyle Tucker (.059). 1-5, BB, RBI
THREE GOATS:
- Billy Goat: Dansby Swanson (-.111). 0-5
- Goat: Justin Steele (-.054). 5 IP, 22 BF, 6 H, BB, 3 R, 2 K, HBP
- Kid: Nate Pearson (-.049). IP, 6 BF, 2 BB, 2 R, HBP
WPA Play of the Game: Miguel Amaya batted with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth, the Cubs up one. Amaya doubled and broke the game wide open. All three runners scored. (.231)
*Diamondbacks Play of the Game: Randal Grichuk batted with a runner on first and one out, the Diamondbacks down two in the fourth. He doubled, setting up runners at second and third and the eventual third Diamondbacks run. (.108)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 2 Winner: Jon Berti
Rizzo Award Cumulative Standings:
The top and bottom 3 will begin running after this series. Shōta Imanaga, Jon Berti and Ian Happ presently share a three-way tie at +3. But Miguel Amaya leads at +4 (and has only played two games). For those who love early season numbers, Miguel leads all of MLB in doubles and RBI (last night’s game alone would have him tied for the lead in doubles and RBI).
Up Next: Jameson Taillon makes his 2025 debut for the Cubs tonight against Merrill Kelly and the Diamondbacks.