Spring Training Game Thread

[Eeyore]

It's about time Tucker 😡

[Cubs206]

I am at Sloan. 
I yelled alright Tucker get your first hit…

and he homers!

[CubinNY]

5 minutes ago, Cubs206 said:

I am at Sloan. 
I yelled alright Tucker get your first hit…

and he homers!

WAY TO GO! 

[Eeyore]

I hope that Pat Hughes was just having trouble hearing the organ.

[Cubs206]

I was one of the first ones in the Sloan store after the blown game and im like do y’all have the jersey of the guy that blew the game and they’re like I don’t think we ever will lol 

[Stratos]

10 hours ago, InSeungHo said:

 

Why not Cowles?  Shaw might need some more PA's given his performance so far, though I haven't seen most of his AB's.

[Stratos]

Tyler Rogers is my favorite pitcher.  Throwing a 83mph fastball from his shoelaces and puts up elite stats.

Edited March 10, 2025 by Stratos

[Hot Sauce]

15 hours ago, Stratos said:

If Amaya can be a 100 wRC+ hitter and close to a 1.5 WAR catcher i'd be very satisfied with that.  Add Kelly and we could have 2.5 to 3 WAR out of catcher this year if things go well.  That would be a big upgrade from negative total catcher WAR last year LOL.

Would be great if PCA could improve the BB% at least a bit.  He has zero walks this spring.

Spring walks are for suckas. 

[muntjack]

5 hours ago, Stratos said:

Why not Cowles?  Shaw might need some more PA's given his performance so far, though I haven't seen most of his AB's.

The PAs have been encouraging for the most part.  Some timing issues,  same as a number of guys in their first few games,  but excellent idea of the zone.  

[Jason Ross]

5 hours ago, Stratos said:

Why not Cowles?  Shaw might need some more PA's given his performance so far, though I haven't seen most of his AB's.

It's already likely that Gage Workman is going to make the MLB roster. Shaw hasn't had a ton of PAs in ST, but Cowles basically missed all of Triple-A due to injury last year. While Workman and Cowles offer some upside, neither are thought of (industry wide) in the same realm as Shaw. Going with two prospects who have basically not seen Triple-A from the get-go does not seem like a great idea. 

[JunkyardWalrus]

I don't know, I wanna see Tater cook.

 

[Bertz]

Of course it's happening when we can't watch but Shaw with two line drive singles today through two at bats

[chibears55]

On 3/8/2025 at 9:38 PM, Rcal10 said:

Well I sure hope you are wrong. If Rea and Boyd come out of the rotation that means they were either injured or pitched poorly. Not a good way to start the season. I do think Brown and maybe Wicks will get 10 starts and maybe even Horton 5-7 as well. But I am hoping that’s because they do some sort of 6 man rotation and, as will happen,, they fill in for short  IL stints for a few of the guys. 

Talking more later in the season, the second half.  I can see 1 or both possibly not being in the rotation any longer. More Rea then Boyd

[chibears55]

On 3/9/2025 at 2:37 PM, Bertz said:

 

 

Megan had an update on the pitching too.

Basically Taillon/Boyd are going to start the two exhibition games, so they won't be on the 26 man roster against the Dodgers. 

So the bullpen against the Dodgers seems likely to be the 8 guys we expected coming into camp, Rea for long relief, and then one of those 4 she called out (most likely Keller IMO).  Although that's only 12, so Keegan Thompson too?

That was my question before, would they need to put Taillon, Boyd, or Rea on roster for Japan or just carry extra relievers.

So, looks like they'll add 2 extra relievers

[chibears55]

10 hours ago, 1908_Cubs said:

It's already likely that Gage Workman is going to make the MLB roster. Shaw hasn't had a ton of PAs in ST, but Cowles basically missed all of Triple-A due to injury last year. While Workman and Cowles offer some upside, neither are thought of (industry wide) in the same realm as Shaw. Going with two prospects who have basically not seen Triple-A from the get-go does not seem like a great idea. 

Im liking Workman,  I hope what he doing in ST carries into the season. 

Would be great if he can become a super utility guy for this team going forward.

[Bertz]

🚨 🚨 Jordan Wicks sitting 93-94, topped out at 95.6

[Tim]

3 minutes ago, Bertz said:

🚨 🚨 Jordan Wicks sitting 93-94, topped out at 95.6

BSOHL

[Rcal10]

1 hour ago, chibears55 said:

Talking more later in the season, the second half.  I can see 1 or both possibly not being in the rotation any longer. More Rea then Boyd

Don’t necessarily agree with that either. Rea carries a 3.70 era thru August last year. Ballooned a bit after one terrible start. But he was decent all year until then. If he does that again this year there is no reason to take him out of the rotation. Sure, Brown, Wicks, maybe Assad and Horton will get starts but maybe just  give a pitcher an extra day or to fill in for the inevitable injury. Assuming Rea won’t be in the rotation because his is bad, is just not something I want to do right now. Same with Boyd. I know he doesn’t look good on paper but he did get results. And sometimes guys just get results. Hopefully he does again. 

[BobbyD3]

Shota averaging 89.1 mph on his fastball today seems a bit worrisome.  Perhaps the two homers yielded during his start can be attributed to his velo decline.  

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Tim said:

BSOHL

Wicks says he lost around 30 pounds in the offseason via diet.

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

🚨 🚨 Jordan Wicks sitting 93-94, topped out at 95.6

Savant says he averaged 92.5 on the 4-seamer last year.

[Bertz]

4 minutes ago, BobbyD3 said:

Shota averaging 89.1 mph on his fastball today seems a bit worrisome.  Perhaps the two homers yielded during his start can be attributed to his velo decline.  

Because he's been tracking towards the opening day start in Japan, decent chance it's normal dead arm that guys typically get towards the end of March.  Usually happens around the point guys build up to 4 or 5 innings.

[CubinNY]

15 hours ago, chibears55 said:

Talking more later in the season, the second half.  I can see 1 or both possibly not being in the rotation any longer. More Rea then Boyd

Boyd will be in the hospital or convalescing 

[Stratos]

16 hours ago, Bertz said:

Because he's been tracking towards the opening day start in Japan, decent chance it's normal dead arm that guys typically get towards the end of March.  Usually happens around the point guys build up to 4 or 5 innings.

Little worrisome though if his next start is opening day.

[CubinNY]

Reading between the lines of the latest Athletic article, it looks like Alcantara will be making the trip to Japan and Shaw will be staying.