Week In Review: Cubs Drop Two In Tokyo, Reset For Remainder of Season

The Cubbies and their personnel have landed back stateside after having gotten a look at what they've got, like a katana-sharp ace in Shota Imanaga and the promise of Kyle Tucker, the electrifying right fielder whose face you'll see on storefronts everywhere from Rogers Park to Bridgeport. 

The story of the week was perspective. Yes, it stings to plan, prepare, and ultimately lose a two-game series that counts to the overall 162. However, the Cubs still have all of their goals in front of them and a decent shot at attaining them, given the weakness of their division. They'll have a chance to get even with Dave Roberts' defending World Series champion club near the end of April. 

Like many of you, I woke up and enjoyed the time-tested breakfast of champions, scrambled eggs, and black coffee, ready to watch my team deliver its brand of March magic. Alas, bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived, I watched the North Siders struggle to scrape runs across the plate against a Dodger club that looks every bit as good as advertised. That the North Siders labored so mightily to bring home runners in scoring position made it an easier sales call for Los Angeles. 

But who cares? The Cubbies have plenty of adjustments to make and much to think about in Craig Counsell's infield, but that was going to be the case anyhow. Though our Japan dreams didn't come true, we are now much more well-versed in what it will take for this squad to reach the game's upper echelon. Back to work. 

Save for a few early mistakes from Cubs lefty Justin Steele, he looked fine. The bullpen saw a lot of work in the second game against Los Angeles. Porter Hodge, a 2024 standout, logged an inning of work, as did Ryan Pressly in our first look at him in a Chicago Cubs uniform. So, as Eli Morgan and Jordan Wicks make their way to Triple-A Iowa, the work continues. The 2025 Cubs haven't won a game yet. But they will, a lot of them. Somehow, a pair of tough, close losses was proof positive that this team can hang with the most elite in the MLB. Though the task is more arduous now with two fewer contests to do it, our skipper's desire to be a 90-win squad will still happen this year. With the near-euphoric state Opening Day at Wrigley just under two weeks away, we've got plenty to ponder, most of it good.