2024 Spring Training Game Thread

[LBiittner]

8 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Yep, some ground balls that found holes. He looked good. I think going in he was the guy to beat as the 5th starter, and so far he still looks to be that guy. 

Someone here earlier suggested a Wicks start with Assad to help finish might be a nice way for this tandem to begin the season. 

This season has a good feeling right now. I believe Belli just flat out made so much sense. His coming back puts the roster in a more defined position. Kinda like when Hendricks came back last May and made the rotation feel more complete.

[Rcal10]

25 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

Someone here earlier suggested a Wicks start with Assad to help finish might be a nice way for this tandem to begin the season. 

This season has a good feeling right now. I believe Belli just flat out made so much sense. His coming back puts the roster in a more defined position. Kinda like when Hendricks came back last May and made the rotation feel more complete.

I am more positive on the team than many. I was last year as well. Most has them under .500. I had them right about where they ended. I see this team as a mid to high 80’s win team. And with some luck, maybe low 90’s. I don’t really see a weakness in the team. No superstars, but no real weakness either, IMO. 

[LBiittner]

42 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I am more positive on the team than many. I was last year as well. Most has them under .500. I had them right about where they ended. I see this team as a mid to high 80’s win team. And with some luck, maybe low 90’s. I don’t really see a weakness in the team. No superstars, but no real weakness either, IMO. 

I feeling your good vibes. And I might be tempted to echo your prediction

[LBiittner]

50 minutes ago, TomtheBombadil said:

The Brewers featured a couple former Cubs in Andruw Monasterio and Rob Zastryzny today. The former’s the starting 3B and never made a top 30 and the latter was in the ancient and sacred order of top 10 prospects in the Cubs org once or twice 

For the life of me I can't remember monastereo

[Bertz]

I imagine Kilian will continue starting, but given that Jed didn't trade any SP depth and knock on wood no one's arm is falling off I'd move him to short relief for good pretty much yesterday

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Bertz said:

I imagine Kilian will continue starting, but given that Jed didn't trade any SP depth and knock on wood no one's arm is falling off I'd move him to short relief for good pretty much yesterday

I agree that is a better spot for him, but does he have enough swing and miss in his game, even for the pen? 

[JBears79]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I am more positive on the team than many. I was last year as well. Most has them under .500. I had them right about where they ended. I see this team as a mid to high 80’s win team. And with some luck, maybe low 90’s. I don’t really see a weakness in the team. No superstars, but no real weakness either, IMO. 

With Bellinger in the fold, i think this is a mid 80s team. The bullpen is my big question mark and back half of the rotation is my big question mark. 

[squally1313]

43 minutes ago, JBears79 said:

With Bellinger in the fold, i think this is a mid 80s team. The bullpen is my big question mark and back half of the rotation is my big question mark. 

Not saying you're wrong, but if it helps, 'worried about the back of the rotation and the bullpen' is a concern for like, 28 other teams. 

[CubbyBlue2008]

I think it’s a high 80s win team. I think the talent overall is better than last year and now we have a better manager IMO. Hopefully the team is playing well going into the deadline and we can make an impactful move or two to really jumpstart a playoff run.

[Andy]

6 hours ago, LBiittner said:

Seiya not getting any love from the ump

He never does.

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, JBears79 said:

With Bellinger in the fold, i think this is a mid 80s team. The bullpen is my big question mark and back half of the rotation is my big question mark. 

Everyone but Steele is a question mark in the rotation IMO.  I'm not that big on Wicks either until he finds a fastball that hitters won't crush.  Maybe he starts using his sinker a lot more.  His 4-seamer was terrible last year.  But he's solid as a #5.

[LBiittner]

On 2/28/2024 at 7:56 AM, TomtheBombadil said:

Brennen Davis getting hit by a pitch means an early spring, right? 

You called it. unfortunately Counsell says Brennen is concussed

Edited February 29, 2024 by LBiittner

[JBears79]

14 hours ago, Stratos said:

Everyone but Steele is a question mark in the rotation IMO.  I'm not that big on Wicks either until he finds a fastball that hitters won't crush.  Maybe he starts using his sinker a lot more.  His 4-seamer was terrible last year.  But he's solid as a #5.

I got faith in Hendricks and Shota

[CubbyBlue2008]

31 minutes ago, LBiittner said:

You called it. unfortunately Counsell says Brennen is concussed

This dude has the worst injury luck I’ve seen in some time.

[Jason Ross]

Hard to not just feel awful for Davis. It's incredibly hard to make the MLB when you're healthy. Sometimes there are prospects who it feels like the house has stacked the deck against, and damn, does it feel that way for him. Hopefully it's a small one and he will get back in a week or 10 days.

[Stratos]

38 players on the Cubs bench today.  Doesn't include bullpen.

[Stratos]

1 hour ago, LBiittner said:

You called it. unfortunately Counsell says Brennen is concussed

Counsell should have taken him out immediately.  First 2nd guess for the new manager!  Lol

[CubinNY]

Minor league announcers again. Interesting. 

[LBiittner]

What's more interesting, they are back in studio chicago announcing the game in AZ.

Long distance run around

[Rcal10]

Wiadom was originally in the line up today and was scratched right before tr Cubs took the field.  Wonder why! 

[CubinNY]

Morel did not miss that.

[LBiittner]

Morel needs to be in the everyday lineup

[LBiittner]

Alfaro continues getting playing time. Looks as though he holds inside track to 3rd catcher

[CubinNY]

Just now, LBiittner said:

Alfaro continues getting playing time. Looks as though he holds inside track to 3rd catcher

If they go with three catchers on the 26 man roster, I'm traveling to Chicago to issue a formal protest to Jed. 

[Rcal10]

Just now, LBiittner said:

Alfaro continues getting playing time. Looks as though he holds inside track to 3rd catcher

Is that a thing? I think if he doesn’t make the team by a certain date he can opt out with the cubs.