It was the game where time stood still…at least for 15 minutes or so. Yet another non-televised game forced those of us who still want to follow Spring games to follow on the Gameday app. But when Gameday stopped updating while Nco Hoerner was at bat, my frustration around the inability to watch or listen to the game was significantly amplified.
Fortunately, we were able to get an update via social media from someone who was at the game:
Here are my overreactions:
- The debut of Edward Cabrera was nice – 2 perfect innings with 3 K’s. Except for Taillon, the starting rotation has looked awesome, and may be the best rotation for the Cubs since 2016.
- The Cubs only had 3 home runs in the first 7 games, but managed to hit 2 yesterday – from Dansby Swanson and Scott Kingery. I’m not sure what Kingery’s contract status is as far as opt-outs, but he would be a nice guy to have in Iowa in case an infielder gets injured.
- Dylan Carlson and Justin Dean both got into the lineup, with Carlson starting at DH and Dean subbing in the outfield. Meanwhile, on the latest North Side Territory podcast, it sounded like Michael Conforto is a favorite to make the roster, especially with the Austin injury — so I’m really interested to see how he does this Spring. And still no Kevin Alcantara.
Here is the current 4TH-OF-o-METER:
| Player | PA | HR | Runs | RBI | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Carlson | 14 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1.243 |
| Chas McCormick | 14 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.643 |
| Justin Dean | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.389 |
| Kevin Alcantara | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Michael Conforto | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
- I’ve spent way to much time thinking and writing about Porter Hodge, and I think I might be done. He had great stuff at time, but blows up too often. There were five games last season and two more already this spring. Still hasn’t developed a third pitch, and his fastball slider combo just hasn’t worked.
- Speaking of third pitches, Daniel Palencia broke out his splitter in a big way yesterday, and it could be the pitch that moves him in the absolute top tier of closers (NOTE: please remember this is a post of overreactions). Only 4.6% of the pitches he threw last season were splitters, but yesterday he threw 5 splitters in 13 total pitches (38.5%). None were in the strike zone, but he got chases on 2 of them.
- The hopes for a perfect spring for Gavin Hollowell ended yesterday, as he gave up 2 hits and a run in the 9th. But he also struck out two, meaning he had struck out 8 of the 11 hitters he’s faced. But he needs to watch out for Collin Snider, who now has 2 perfect innings including 4 strikeouts.
- I feel like I’ve ignored Ethan Roberts as a dark horse candidate for one of the last bullpen spots, and I will continue to do so.
Cubs in 7 
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