Forget the sunny, heat climate sometimes related to spring coaching.
Another cool, windy day greeted the Cubs on Wednesday at Sloan Park, the place they beat the Seattle Mariners 5-3. Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner and Christopher Morel every recorded an RBI within the Cubs’ five-run fourth inning, which noticed the scoring get began with Yan Gomes’ two-run double.
The White Sox had been in a position to get in most of their sport towards the Cleveland Guardians earlier than poor climate arrived, falling 9-6 at Camelback Ranch. The sport was referred to as within the high of the ninth due to rain. Zach Remillard hit a three-run homer within the loss.
Chicago Tribune baseball writers LaMond Pope, Meghan Montemurro and Paul Sullivan shall be offering Cubs and White Sox updates all through spring coaching.
Defense-centered Cubs roster will get 1st look in sport motion
The Cubs’ offseason focus, past including expertise, centered on constructing the 2023 workforce round pitching and protection. Players’ monitor data recommend they are going to have one of many higher defenses in baseball, significantly up the center.
Their first six video games supplied the primary have a look at the group’s defensive potential and an opportunity for shortstop Dansby Swanson and second baseman Nico Hoerner to construct a rapport and perceive how every operates at his place. Defense was an underappreciated factor of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series title workforce and an space the group has emphasised.
“I don’t think defense ever gets enough credit really,” supervisor David Ross stated. “I mean, fans are excited about home runs, great pitching is fun. I love athletic plays. I love athletic plays up the middle. I love a sick double play … that’s energizing to me, and I think the fans will see a lot of that this year with the athleticism we have up the middle.”
Reliever Michael Rucker began a nifty double play Wednesday to finish the seventh, snagging the ball and firing to second baseman Andy Weber, who accomplished the play with a throw to first baseman Jared Young. Swanson’s and Hoerner’s begins have been scheduled for a similar video games to permit for potential double-play probabilities, although neither had an opportunity to show one Wednesday.
“The starting point for the season is we should be pretty darn good defensively, and we’ll go from there,” Ross stated. “We’ll be pretty well-rounded when it comes to defensive resumes.”
Aaron Bummer taking ‘smart’ method to camp
Aaron Bummer went by way of his regular offseason preparation.
But the Sox reliever “just wasn’t recovering the way that I wanted to,” he stated Wednesday.
After assembly with the coaching workers, Bummer — who missed time final season with a left lat pressure — stated they “realized with the complete camp, let’s be sensible and let’s get forward of this stuff. Instead of form of treading water by way of camp, let’s take just a little step again and put together for March 28 (the top of camp), not Feb. 14 (the beginning of camp).
“We feel good now and we’re definitely moving in the right direction. Don’t foresee issues coming up.”
Bummer stated he’s coping with “residual stuff from last year.”
“I wouldn’t say that I reinjured or did anything,” he stated. “It’s just something when I took the time off in the offseason, I lost a little bit of range of motion that I built up, and kind of cranking through that caused some inflammation in there. So we got the range of motion back and we got the inflammation out and everything should be smooth sailing.”
Bummer is proud of the progress made.
“Since I’ve got here, things feel a lot better than they did,” he stated. “That’s all I can ask for right now.”
He’s setting his sights on contributing within the opening collection towards the Houston Astros, which begins March 30.
“The goal is to be ready for Houston,” Bummer stated. “Get ready for Houston and get ready for the rest of the season and go from there.”
Cubs worth 1A and 1B choices at catcher
For the final six years, the Cubs knew who was getting the majority of the begins behind the plate.
Willson Contreras’ offseason departure to the St. Louis Cardinals units up the Cubs for a tandem method to the place. The group views Yan Gomes and Tucker Barnhart as co-starters, a scenario Ross can relate to from when he was paired with Jarrod Saltalamacchia in Boston for the 2013 season.
“Both those guys have started multiple games in their careers,” Ross stated. “They’ve got hardware, winning-type players, so when you feel comfortable no matter who’s behind the plate, the pitching and defense is going to be a priority.”
Ross ought to have the ability to discover ample taking part in time for his two veteran catchers, particularly as a result of the left-handed-hitting Barnhart and the right-handed Gomes will be matched up towards the opposing starter.
“That helps a lot too,” Ross stated.
‘Pressure baseball’ awaits Luis Robert Jr. and Yoán Moncada within the WBC
Wednesday marked the ultimate sport with the Sox for middle fielder Luis Robert Jr. and third baseman Yoán Moncada earlier than they journey to Taiwan to play for Team Cuba within the World Baseball Classic.
Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol stated there aren’t any taking part in restrictions in place for the 2.
“Whatever their goals are for it, that’s what I want (for them),” Grifol stated Wednesday.
If previous tournaments are any indication, Grifol anticipates a full of life ambiance.
“I don’t know what the atmosphere is going to be in Taiwan, I’m sure it’s going to be electric,” Grifol stated. “I do know the ambiance in Miami (one of many different event areas) goes to be unimaginable. The stadium has been offered out the final two years, you may’t get a ticket there. The gamers are solely allowed 4 tickets. Normally these guys get 10, 12, 20 tickets.
“But it’s pressure baseball. You’re talking about countries playing against countries, there are bragging rights in the clubhouses and bragging rights across the league. It’s an exciting time.”
Today’s video games
- Cubs vs. Athletics, 2:10 p.m., Marquee
- White Sox at Rockies, 2:10 p.m.
What we’re studying this morning
Quotable
“I’m pretty sure that’s going to be a surreal experience for me.” — Moncada, by way of an interpreter, on the WBC
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Source: www.bostonherald.com