Spring Training Game Thread

[BKHoo]

I need a tight hamstring like that!!

[Bertz]

For those not watching

 

 

 

[bddavidson]

Wow, that leg kick on Shaw freaks me out

[Stratos]

22 hours ago, Crusader said:

According to stat cast, instead of topping out at 101 like he did last year he was only hitting 96. Looked to be only averaging 95, instead of 98. Velo is still down a bit. Hope he finds that next level again. He could be an interesting injury replacement if he does.

Killian looks like regular Killian.  I think i remember him having a good curveball last spring too.  He needs that out-pitch to generate chase.

Also, it's very possible that whatever he did to increase his velocity contributed to his shoulder injury last year.  Maybe he backed off afterwards.

I don't have much hope for him unless he finds that good secondary.

[Bertz]

My optimism on Merryweather is climbing.  Two outings in a row he has looked great.  It's probably all about health for him so I feel more comfortable drawing conclusions on him than for most of the staff.

[chibears55]

Fun game today, everyone getting on base and good pitching. 

I like Cohen and Sweeney calling the games,  hopefully we get this duo most of year and maybe takeover from Boog and JD when they leave.

[TarzanJoeWallis]

7 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Fun game today, everyone getting on base and good pitching. 

I like Cohen and Sweeney calling the games,  hopefully we get this duo most of year and maybe takeover from Boog and JD when they leave.

This isn’t Cohen, it’s Cole Wright. 

[CubinNY]

I'm watching the game I had to leave in the sixth so I paused. This thing got out of hand. I love it. The youngins are a hittin.

Edited March 4, 2025 by CubinNY

[Outshined_One]

2 hours ago, CubinNY said:

PCA is dynamic like Sammy but in a different way. Same swagger. 

He reminds me so much of Javy Baez, for better and for worse.

[chibears55]

1 hour ago, TarzanJoeWallis said:

This isn’t Cohen, it’s Cole Wright. 

Alex Cohen did the play by play with Sweeney as analyst.

[Bertz]

13 minutes ago, chibears55 said:

Alex Cohen did the play by play with Sweeney as analyst.

Nope, not today

[Stratos]

2 hours ago, Bertz said:

My optimism on Merryweather is climbing.  Two outings in a row he has looked great.  It's probably all about health for him so I feel more comfortable drawing conclusions on him than for most of the staff.

He had knee surgery in late Sept because of tendonitis pain which he said was bothering him much of last year.  He says he's feeling 100% right now, for what that's worth.  He said he was able to pitch through the pain but that the knee strength may have compromised and affected his velo last year.

I agree, hopefully he has a good year and returns to 2023 form.

I watched a Caleb Thielbar interview too.  He said his control issues last year were mechanical (started landing too closed), and he's been able to fix them this winter and his command is feeling better this spring.

 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Guy probably got nominal pay to write this article saying that Cubs fans shouldn't be surprised Tucker doesn't have a hit yet because he has also struggled in the postseason

 

https://fansided.com/cubs-are-learning-a-kyle-tucker-lesson-that-astros-fans-know-all-too-well

[CubinNY]

---

Cubs and Royals tonight under the lights on Marquee

[Bertz]

 

 

[squally1313]

On 3/3/2025 at 2:51 PM, squally1313 said:

PCA a late scratch. Hopefully just hungover or something else cool. 

Steele*

[Bertz]

Yeah this is definitely the OD lineup

[Bertz]

Ben Brown looks incredible.  Really curious how much of a chance he's got at the #5 spot vs. Rea.

[Bertz]

18 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Ben Brown looks incredible.  Really curious how much of a chance he's got at the #5 spot vs. Rea.

And that's why you should never post

[CubinNY]

PCA, lol

[Bertz]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:39 PM, Bertz said:

God I love having a fast guy on the team

 

[Bertz]

Not a huge surprise but Mooney says that the expectation is that Brad Keller makes the team.

Also notes that Ben Brown will be a SP.  So combined with the above you'd presume he's going to open the year in Iowa.

[mul21]

12 hours ago, Bertz said:

And that's why you should never post

Eh, he was Happ not dropping the ball away from a nearly clean 3 innings.

[Jason Ross]

24 minutes ago, Bertz said:

Not a huge surprise but Mooney says that the expectation is that Brad Keller makes the team.

Also notes that Ben Brown will be a SP.  So combined with the above you'd presume he's going to open the year in Iowa.

Kind of what I expected. Brown and Wicks in Iowa give the Cubs some protection from an early season injury. I think if Horton and Birdsell were ready and healthy, Brown could have pushed his way into the rotation or the BP. But keeping him in Iowa gives you a good fall back option if someone gets hurt early on. 

[Bertz]

Game covered by TV and Statcast today