The Cubs made their final road trip of spring training on Saturday, traveling to Tempe Diablo Stadium to play the Los Angeles Angels. Chicago jumped out to a big lead before LA stormed back to walk it off in the 9th inning. The Cubs scored five in the top of the 3rd inning, highlighted by a long two-run shot from Yan Gomes. Christopher Morel and Zach McKinstry hit a pair of RBI … [Read more...] about Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/25/23): Angels 8, Cubs 7 – Late Loss in Final Road Game of Spring
Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/26/23): Hoerner Back (Fingers Crossed), Steele Starting
I’m still on spring break, so these will continue to be sparse for the next few days. The one big note is that Nico Hoerner is at the top of the lineup again after being scratched from each of the last two games with left biceps soreness. Justin Steele is on the bump for his last start of the spring, so we’ll hope he’s not pitching “underwater” this time. First pitch from Sloan … [Read more...] about Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/26/23): Hoerner Back (Fingers Crossed), Steele Starting
Sunday Rundown: Hoyer Planting Trees, Wesneski Makes Rotation, Affilates Start Seasons This Week
It’s not even Arbor Day and Jed Hoyer is already “planting trees.” That’s executive-speak for exercising patience, particularly from Cubs fans, as the organization continues its transition to a more homegrown product. You have to give the president of baseball operations credit for not creating undue expectations. Hoyer has earned a Ph.D. in threading the needle, and though … [Read more...] about Sunday Rundown: Hoyer Planting Trees, Wesneski Makes Rotation, Affilates Start Seasons This Week
Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/26/23): Cubs 5, Royals 0 – Steele, Swanson Shine in Shutout
The Cubs welcomed the Kansas City Royals to Sloan Park Sunday as spring training winds to its conclusion. The home team got big contributions from several key players as they coasted to victory. Justin Steele made his final appearance of the spring and was much better than his previous performance. He cruised through six shutout innings with much sharper control after five … [Read more...] about Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/26/23): Cubs 5, Royals 0 – Steele, Swanson Shine in Shutout
Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/24/23): Cubs 5, Rangers 3 – Stroman Sharp in Last Spring Start
The Texas Rangers came to Sloan Park in the first game of split-squad action for the Cubs Friday. Chicago got a great outing from their top starter and a surprising contribution out of a player from minor-league camp to pull out a win. Marcus Stroman made his final start before opening the regular season Thursday against the Brewers. The diminutive hurler appeared to be ready … [Read more...] about Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/24/23): Cubs 5, Rangers 3 – Stroman Sharp in Last Spring Start
Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/25/23): Hoerner Leads Off, Ríos at 1B, Elias Starting
Update: New tires being installed now, let’s just hope Hoerner’s arm gets better quickly. He has been scratched again due to left biceps tightness, but the Cubs say it’s just precautionary. Here’s the new lineup… Today’s Cubs 9… Madrigal 3BRíos 1B Wisdom LFGomes CTauchman CFMorel RFMastrobuoni SSMcKinstry 2B Murray DH —————SP: Elías – P Note: Hoerner scratched with left biceps … [Read more...] about Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/25/23): Hoerner Leads Off, Ríos at 1B, Elias Starting
Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/24/23): Guardians 5, Cubs 3 – Sampson’s Homer Issues Return
The Cubs played the second half of their split-squad games Friday night in Goodyear against Cleveland Guardians. Chicago featured a lineup with fewer starters than the home game earlier in the day and would lose the nightcap. Edwin Ríos and Luis Torrens hit back-to-back doubles off of Zach Plesac in the top of the 1st inning to go ahead 2-0. Adrian Sampson continued his spring … [Read more...] about Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (3/24/23): Guardians 5, Cubs 3 – Sampson’s Homer Issues Return
Adrian Sampson Optioned to AAA, Hayden Wesneski Named to Rotation as Cubs Trim Spring Roster to 39
The Cubs have reduced the spring roster from 41 to 39 players, with the most prominent cut coming as right-handed pitcher Adrian Sampson was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Once a serious contender for the fifth rotation spot, Sampson has had a rough spring performance lowlighted by 11 home runs allowed. Though it’s been fait accompli for some time now, Hayden Wesneski has … [Read more...] about Adrian Sampson Optioned to AAA, Hayden Wesneski Named to Rotation as Cubs Trim Spring Roster to 39
Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/24/23, Early SS Game): Swanson Leads Off, Happ Second, Stroman Starting
The Cubs have a day-night split-squad affair today, so you can spend most of your afternoon and evening watching Cactus League baseball if that’s your jam. If that’s not your idea of peak entertainment, perhaps you would still be interested in checking out Marcus Stroman’s first Cubs start in over three weeks. He continued to stretch out as part of Team Puerto Rico and should … [Read more...] about Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/24/23, Early SS Game): Swanson Leads Off, Happ Second, Stroman Starting