CAN YOU BEAT THREE 4’s?
Game four of Spring Training pitted the World Champion Cubs against their cross town rivals the Chicago White Sox. The game ended in a 4-4 tie, which sounds boring, but there were some exciting moments. Forth game, 4-4 score, three 4’s, I knew you’d get it.
FIRST INNING
New Cub pitcher Brett Anderson did what he does and got three ground balls in the first inning, although Tim Anderson‘s got through the infield for the games first hit. Anderson, Brett not Tim, then struck out Matt Davidson to end the first. The Cubs started many of the opening day probables sending Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist to the plate in the first. Schwarber and Bryant got back to back singles, but Rizzo grounded into a double play before Zobrist grounded out to end the inning.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Addison Russell scored the games first run with a solo home run in the second.
Willson Contreras added another solo shot in the 4th inning, giving the Cubs a 2-0 lead.
Pierce Johnson pitched a scoreless 4th after Seth Frankoff pitched two scoreless innings in the 2nd and 3rd. The White Sox scored 3 runs in the 5th off Brad Markey, highlighted by a 2 run homer by Jose Abreu. But the Cubs came back to take the lead on a Chesney Young single that scored both Munenori Kawasaki and John Andreoli. The Sox came back to tie the game as Peter Bourjos scored on a ground out by Willy Garcia. This final run came off Cubs pitcher Daury Torres.
The Cubs had a chance to win the game in the 9th as Kawasaki walked to lead off the inning, stole second, went to third on an errant throw after both Eloy Jimenez and Andreoli had struck out. Then, the earlier hero Chesney Young, struck out to end the game. Young likely wasn’t even scheduled to play as Jemile Weeks was injured in the 6th as catcher Tyler Davis threw out Yolmer Sanchez attempting to steal. Weeks walked off the field under his power, but was shaken up and limping. The score was tied and there reports of rain…. just saying.
OTHER THOUGHTS
I have been reporting that with the non roster invitees and the 40 man roster, the Cubs have 66 players in camp from these two lists. However each day since games have started we’re seeing names of players that aren’t on either list. Today three more players, all pitchers, saw their first action of the Spring, Markey, Torres, and Juan Paniagua bringing the total to 87 players in camp. For comparison 2015 and 2016 saw 93 and 91 respectively.
Some of you might be anxious to see some of the probable starters in action. That’s not going to happen for a few more days. We’ve heard reports that Joe Maddon wants to assure that his staff doesn’t start out to soon, so they are rested in October. The reality is that the early start of the Spring Training season is the result of the World Baseball Classic. Here are some numbers of how the last two seasons have transpired
Innings/batters faced/total pitches
Edwin Jackson    2015-6/76/202
Jason Hammel    2015-6/104/195       2016-6/99/211
Travis Wood      2015-6/91/185        2016-5/53/79
Kyle Hendricks    2015-4/51/113        2016-7/118/277
Jake Arrieta      2015-4/61/111        2016-4/47/95
Jon Lester       2015-3/34/98         2016-4/72/153
John Lackey     2015-3/54/70(w/ STL)   2016-3/54/129
In 2015 Lester reported a dead arm, otherwise he might have started 4 games. Hendricks is the real interesting guy in that his Spring Training work doubled from 2015 to 2016.
It will be interesting to see how much the main starters throw this Spring. My guess is that they will still get 3-4 starts. Heck even with St, Louis Lackey only threw 70 pitches in 3 games. Jake has had the same routine the last two years, can’t see that changing. Kyle might be the only one to see his Spring reduced from the 7 in 2016 back to 4. I would expect Mike Montgomery and Anderson to get closer to 6 starts, as they are competing for that 5th starter role. Guys like Jake Buchanan and Rob Zastryzny might also get 5 to 6 starts.
FINAL THOUGHT
Yesterday I mentioned the absence of Tommy La Stella. Well I apologize for missing the report that he has a tight hamstring. Hopefully he’s OK and will back in action soon. Thanks again to John Ferlise over at Cubs Insider for the YouTube videos.
