Cubs Live
By: Ryan Melson (@RyanMelson1)
Here are the quick highlights from the weekend in Cubs land. 1) Bad Boys Of Cubs Podcasting. If you have not listened yet, we did our first Cubs Live Podcast. Right now, the podcast can be heard on Sound Cloud (https://soundcloud.com/user-95300172/32418-cubs-live-podcast-hosted-by-kyle-malzhan-along-side-ryan-melson-mark-talarico). In the future, you will be able to hear it on iTunes. We will keep you updated with the details. The first podcast was a lot of fun, and feel free to submit questions you might have for the future podcasts. We plan on doing more routine podcasts on a weekly basis during the season. Saturday Versus the Mariners 2) Vic’s The Back-Up Catcher. Vic Caratini solidified a spot on the Cubs 25 man roster. Chris Gimenez will report to Iowa to begin the season and the Cubs have him under contract until June 1st. This was a very good move by the Cubs because they are applauding Caratini’s hard work and progress that he has made. If Caratini struggles up until June 1st, look for the Cubs to bring Gimenez up and send Caratini back to Iowa for more development. Overall, the back-up catcher is not going to get much playing time with Willson getting the majority of catching time. 3) Ian The Great. Ian Happ blasted his seventh homerun of the spring, after he hit a leadoff homer against Felix Hernandez. 4) Eddie Money. Eddie Butler really had a solid start against the Mariners. He pitched five innings, allowed four hits, and two earned runs. This start probably cemented Butler’s spot in the Cubs bullpen to start the season. 5) Mills First Spring Struggle. After bragging about Alec Mills all spring, he had his worst outing of the against the Mariners. I think Mills will bounce back and be a player the Cubs could rely on in September when rosters expand. Versus the Rockies 6) Our Captain. Anthony Rizzo cranked his third homerun of the spring. Rizz is ready for the regular season to start, as are all of us. 7) Monty Time. Mike Montgomery was particularly sharp in this start against the Rockies. I think he is going to have a major year out of the bullpen. I think he is a poor man’s Andrew Miller, which means he is an extremely valuable pitcher in any bullpen throughout the league. 8) Strop Is Ready. Pedro Strop was lights out and looks ready to roll for the season. 9) Another Intriguing Southpaw. Kyle Ryan has come out of nowhere and pitched a phenomenal spring. Ryan is a left handed relief pitcher who has dominated this spring, pitching ten innings and having a 1.80 ERA. I am a fan of the Cubs keeping Kyle Ryan to stay in the bullpen over Eddie Butler. I like Butler, but I do not think he will be a good fit coming out of the bullpen. Ryan has also logged 128 innings in the pros and has pitched pretty well with a 3.87 ERA overall. Having another lefty out of the bullpen would be nice for Joe Maddon to mix and match, plus it would give the Cubs an unheard of four lefties out of the bullpen. Sunday 10) Crown Him Your Leadoff Hitter. Joe Maddon crowned Ian Happ the leadoff hitter on Opening Day. It is clear Happ wanted that role and he did not let his opportunity slip this spring. 11) The Professor Has Called Class Into Session. Kyle Hendricks was very solid in his final tune-up before the regular season. Needless to say, I am so excited to watch this pitching staff overall. 12) One More Appearance. Joe Maddon wants to see one more relief appearance from Pedro Strop before he puts him on the 25 man roster. This is precautionary, but Strop looks ready. 13) The Cubs Say Bye To Beautiful Arizona and Sloan Park. The Cubs are officially done with baseball in Arizona this spring as they head to Florida to take on the Boston Red Sox for two exhibition games. 14) Everybody In. Cub Fans: WE GET MEANINGFUL BASEBALL THIS WEEK. HAPPY BASEBALL SEASON. We now have meaningful games until November.
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Kyle MalzhanFounder who is an aspiring journalist who covers the Chicago Cubs daily. Archives
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