Chicago Sports Today

Chicago Sports News continuously updated

The Rundown: Cubs Leave Japan Knowing What to Improve, Hoerner Close to Returning, Passan Blasts DoD for Robinson Omission

by


The trip to Japan was a letdown for everybody except the Cubs players and coaches. With domestic Opening Day just a week away, at least the team knows where it stands against the National League’s elite. Chicago lacked the punch to match the Dodgers at the plate, and its defense was shoddy. Matt Shaw looks like he has some work to do at the hot corner, and Jon Berti has me longing for the return of Nico Hoerner. Berti did rebound with three hits and a stolen base in the second game of the series.

The Cubs head to Arizona one week from today with a 0-2 record and matchups against Zac Gallen and Corbin Burnes looming. They have five more games against Los Angeles before concluding the season series on April 23 at Wrigley Field. In fact, Chicago will play the Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Padres 18 times before the calendar turns to May. Arizona and San Diego are among the six teams capable of taking down Los Angeles this season. Yikes. We’ll know if Jed Hoyer has built a 90-win team by the Kentucky Derby.

Hope is not lost, however, and I’ll give you the silver linings of Chicago’s 0-2 start:

  1. The bullpen looks stronger than last year. Fans shouldn’t dismiss the Opening Day performance by Ben Brown, which I believe means he will enter the season as Chicago’s fifth starter.
  2. Dansby Swanson is driving the ball again. He’s a streaky hitter, but he avoids prolonged slumps when he’s getting good barrels.
  3. Kyle Tucker stung the ball a couple of times, too.
  4. Miguel Amaya looks like he might sustain the success he had at the end of last season.
  5. Despite command issues, Shōta Imanaga pitched well and seems prepared to be the Cubs’ top starter once again.

Of greater concern: Pete Crow-Armstrong was hitless and swung at (and missed) a lot of pitches.

In the end, it’s best to view the two-game set in Tokyo as exhibition games that counted and nothing more. April brings the toughest stretch of Chicago’s season, but if Craig Counsell can steer the Cubs to a winning record come May 1, further challenges will pale by comparison. Nobody needs that more than Hoyer.

Cubs/Diamondbacks News & Notes


Odds & Sods

It’s fair to wonder where the Cubs would be today had they had signed Bryce Harper. Then again, his contract might have included opt-outs Harper didn’t want.

Central Intelligence


(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Spring Training News & Notes

ESPN’s Jeff Passan spearheaded an effort to restore a story about Jackie Robinson on the US Department of Defense website. The URL was initially scrubbed as part of the Trump administration’s aversion to DEI.

MLB has expanded its direct-to-consumer streaming options ($), with 26 teams participating this year. Fans living inside of those teams’ television territories can now sign up to stream games without needing a full television bundle, such as cable or satellite. The Orioles, Nationals, Astros, and Mariners are the only excluded teams.

The Dodgers are interested in at least three Japanese players that may be coming to MLB soon.

Pirates starter Jared Jones will not pitch in any more Grapefruit League games due to elbow discomfort.

The Red Sox announced that Triston Casas will be their everyday first baseman.

Closer Craig Kimbrel has reunited with the Braves on a minor league deal.

Extra innings

Cam Smith has been on a tear and could break camp with Houston. Let’s hope the young man has a successful career with the Astros. Whether Tucker stays or leaves is unimportant. The trade will ultimately be judged by the success or failure of Shaw as a third baseman.

They Said It

  • “The whole atmosphere over the last couple of days has been pretty spectacular. Stinks that we weren’t able to win any games over here. But a lot of good learning experiences as a group that we can take back and get corrected before the season starts back home.” – Swanson
  • “Since we drafted Matt [Shaw], every challenge that really — baseball, the Cubs, the leagues he’s been in, that have been in front of him, he has thrived. He’s passed every test, and that makes you think he’s ready.” – Counsell
  • “The kids here in Japan, they’re going to be the next ones. They’re up next. This event as well as the Tokyo Series, the fact that the kids can see MLB players live, there’s a big difference [between] watching it on TV and how you feel versus watching them live. I think [a] series like this, it’s great for the game and I think it’s big for kids in Japan.” – Fukudome
  • “Do I want us [to export] Opening Day? I don’t. I understand its business. Certainly, with the Dodgers and the number of players, whether it’s Korea, whether it’s Japan — I get it. But, I don’t know if the Japanese fans would be upset if you said ‘We’re going to play two spring training games over there.’ Just having Shohei Ohtani over there [and the other Japanese stars] should be enough. We don’t need to have Opening Day over there. Have Opening Day here.” – Patrick

Friday Walk-Up Song

Welcome to the first day of Spring, with winter officially disappearing at 4:01 this morning.


(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});


(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The post The Rundown: Cubs Leave Japan Knowing What to Improve, Hoerner Close to Returning, Passan Blasts DoD for Robinson Omission appeared first on .