Oh, and Ian Happ has 3 HRs in AAA already...

Went up to Milwaukee for the game yesterday. I was a little surprised how easy it was to make a day trip of it via Amtrak. I'll have to do that more often.

I think the Cubs/Brewers fan ratio was about 70/30 in favor of the Cubs. I know there are always a lot of Cubs fans at Miller Park (my aunt is a Brewers fan and stopped going to those games years ago because of it), but I was shocked by how overwhelming it was.

Beautiful day, too. And a good Cubs win. Glad I went.

It was a decent sized crowd, but there were still plenty of empty seats, or so it appeared on TV. I would have thought tickets would have been harder to come by.

I'm going to have to do that Amtrak one for a game with my son this year.

I don't think anything is more exciting than Heyward's start...

His 'production' in STL was a bit more of the "he didn't exactly knock the crap out of that one" variety - but especially after the weekend, he's hitting the ball tons better than I remember at any point last year.

Rizzo concerns me not at all... Baez a bit, but if he's just the IF/2B defensive replacement, then meh.

On the pitching side, I'm not as concerned about Jake's velocity drop. Seems to me that his struggles last year began when he started missing - badly - with that slider/cutter hybrid. Once it was no longer something he could get chases on - his BBs rose, he seemed to start pressing - and then bouncing it - a lot more... and it all went south. Thus far to me - he's getting good action on it, he's getting swing-and-misses, and he seems to have much better command of it.

I was surprised at how many empty seats there were, too, especially since it was perfect day weather-wise, especially for so early in the season. Although the sections around me in the upper deck were pretty filled. Seemed like there were a lot of no-shows from season ticket holders in the lower-level.

The train ride seemed so short. Watched the last 4 holes of the Masters on my phone on the way back. Much preferable to driving, IMO, even allowing for the hour it takes me each way back and forth from Rogers Park to Union Station.

I don’t find myself hanging on to every pitch,

It's funny, for some reason I'm finding myself feeling much less urgent about going to Wrigley this year. I'm sure I'll end up going to my fair share of games, but after that absolutely sublime day/night of Game 6 of the NLCS and then getting to go to Game 5 of the World Series, I think my internal calibration got thrown off or something.

I'm happy that they raised banners for the 1907 and 1908 teams, too. It always felt wrong to me that there was never any recognition for those teams aside from the tiny flags on the roof. I understand why it was like that, of course, but now I guess winning a World Series finally makes it OK to embrace the past. I like the new flagpoles, too.

I wish there was a pennant now for the other 16 NL champs they've had. Would have been nice to come up with a solution that honors those teams, as well. Again, the tiny roof flags don't really do it. A league pennant in baseball means a lot, and that's doubly true of the old days when those pennants were actually won.

And something for the 6 division champs, too.

Tiny roof flags are appropriate for the Wild Card teams, though.

Wrobg thread.

I wish there was a pennant now for the other 16 NL champs they've had. Would have been nice to come up with a solution that honors those teams, as well. Again, the tiny roof flags don't really do it. A league pennant in baseball means a lot, and that's doubly true of the old days when those pennants were actually won.

FWIW, last year's pennant moved the Cubs into a tie (with the Braves) for 4th most NL pennants in league history (17). Next up - you-know-who at 19.

The Giants are first with 22, closely followed by the Dodgers at 21.

So... if folks find themselves needing a goal after finally climbing the mountain... there it is.

I am still warming up after last night. Stupid, crazy April weather. I had been watching the forecast all weekend, and it was still supposed to be in the 50s/60s during the game, then during the day yesterday they adjusted it down to the 40s and it actually got into the 30s (and the wind made it even colder). It was cool they play a condensed version of game 6 of the NLCS, which was the last time I'd been at Wrigley. They also played David Ross's dance live from Dancing with the Stars, and the best part was the crowd booing/heckling the judges that were critiquing him.

I have to figure they cut the ceremony short, since it started so late. The original one was supposed to start at 6:15, 50 minutes before game time. I think from the start of the player intros until first pitch ended up being only 25 minutes or so. I don't want to say the whole thing was anti-climatic, but...as cool as that was it just was, I dunno, tame and just blah, compared to the pennant clincher. I agree with Brian, it's cool they did the other banners, and since they only raised one NL one, I guess I'm curious what they'll do for the next title. We'll find out soon enough...

I'm pretty impressed with the new revisions at Wrigley I've seen. Even though I'm not a traditionalist by any means, it is still very weird to not have the bullpens on the field. They showed the bullpen cam a couple of times, but not for the first reliever so it felt weird not knowing if anyone was warming. There's a team store right above the main gate. Having another gate by the new park is nice.

Having another gate by the new park is nice.

Oh, I didn't know they were putting in another gate. Now there is a good idea - ingress at Wrigley has been a big problem for years. Was it noticeably better last night?

Oh, I didn't know they were putting in another gate. Now there is a good idea - ingress at Wrigley has been a big problem for years. Was it noticeably better last night?

Yes, without a doubt. I also got there really early, so I'm not sure if I just beat some of the initial entrance rush. That makes 4 entrance points, not counting the separate bleacher one. I don't know if it was just for the opener, but they completely shut down the Addison/Clark intersection, during/after the game, so that helped with after game congestion (I honestly don't remember what they did for that corner during the regular season last year).

When the stadium starting emptying out, we moved to the 200 level behind home plate. And you could see out the side of the stadium to see the huge screen in the park area, which was showing the ESPN broadcast. That was kinda cool.

I wasn't expecting fireworks *during* the nat'l anthem (rockets red glare), but after and during some intro stuff, it made sense. I doubt that's a regular thing, but there also weren't any HRs so no idea if they're going that route for those this year...

I doubt that's a regular thing,

Yeah, something tells me that setting off fireworks in August next to a wall of ivy after it hasn't rained for three weeks is probably contrary to the Ricketts' stated goal of being a good neighbor.

So I know WAR doesn't mean anything this early, but it is amusing to see Almora leading the team with a full 0.5 despite starting only 2 of 7 games. If he can just keep that .625/.667/.750 split going, he'll be an MVP lock coming off the bench!

Some more on Heyward, and the solid contact stuff we've talked about...

I also forgot to mention another "too early to tell" and that's Willson behind the plate. He is moving around less than last year, and takes fewer mound visits, but still doesn't look - to my untrained eyes - very comfortable back there. He's "allowed" 6 wild pitches so far; he hasn't been credited with any passed balls, but a number of those could be blamed on Willson, IMO. Before the walk-off WP against Milwaukee, DeShaies was talking about how Willson was setting up so far away and the affect that could have on the pitches; next pitch, Willson was set up way outside and Montgomery bounces the pitch and it goes to the wall. Oddly enough, I thought Willson has looked best catching Lester, so I guess this is just a wait and see sort of thing.

Before the walk-off WP against Milwaukee, DeShaies was talking about how Willson was setting up so far away and the affect that could have on the pitches; next pitch, Willson was set up way outside and Montgomery bounces the pitch and it goes to the wall. Oddly enough, I thought Willson has looked best catching Lester, so I guess this is just a wait and see sort of thing.

He's been charged with at least one catcher's interference (the other night with Gonzalez at the plate), and I may have missed others; perhaps that explains his setting up far away, if he's wary of getting his glove in the way?

I should clarify, by far away, I meant outside, in that case. But that's an interesting question, I think Willson had a few CI's last year, too.

Here's the play. Sorry for the music, I wanted to find the one with Jim talking. That wasn't the first pitch that AB Willson went that far away. The jump last minute also has to be distracting for the pitcher.

Tony Andracki‏ @TonyAndracki23 19m19 minutes ago

Maddon was asked which Cubs player would wear World Series ring most. He didn't hesitate:

"Strop. He'll wear it to sleep, in the shower."

From the radio broadcast today -- Cubs gave out 1,908 bits of jewelry. Apparently even long-time ushers got rings and lots of folks got pins.

I'm a bit peeved I didn't get nothing, after all I've done for this franchise. I guess that's what I get for bad-mouthing the Trillo/Gross/Rader for Martin/Foote/Sizemore trade.

I wasn't expecting fireworks *during* the nat'l anthem (rockets red glare), but after and during some intro stuff, it made sense. I doubt that's a regular thing, but there also weren't any HRs so no idea if they're going that route for those this year...

No fireworks on the homers yesterday.

I'm very impressed with the new plaza. It looks nice, the new team store is cool, and as noted above, the new gate is handy. While I know that its purpose is to make money with the team, I think it fits in with the "be a good neighbor" propaganda that the Ricketts are talking these days, because it's a 1000% upgrade from the ugly old triangle lot that was there before. It's just a nice space, and it makes a nice setting for the Banks statue.

I'm too lazy/busy/lazy to put up a new post after last week, so some assorted (and completely non-researched) thoughts...

Bullpen is getting a lot of attention, but I'm really not that worried about it. Other than Strop and Deunsing (who I expect to suck), no one has been bad, though almost everyone (except Davis) has had a bad appearance. It's worth nothing how much the pen has pitched, so I bet that's contributing. I am a little surprised how heavily Maddon has leaned on Koji so far, though he last couple of games CJ wasn't around. It seems like Maddon is being a little more careful with Rondon, which is probably warranted for now.

I'm more "worried" about the offense. It really isn't that unusual considering the weather, but there's plenty to like and dislike from just about anyone. I'm legit worried about Zobrist. I brought up his defense looking old to me before, right now I think his bat is slow too. It feels (again, I haven't looked anything up) that he's striking out more frequently and pitchers are challenging him more.

Defense is still awesome, though a few mistakes have just come at bad times.

Bullpen is getting a lot of attention,

Yeah, that'll happen when they're directly responsible for 5 out of the 6 losses.

Oh, and I have less concerns about Willson this week than last. It helps that it seems like Lester has really taken to pitching to him, and Willson's defense yesterday was just spectacular.

I think Heyward is playing CF a bit more than we expected, especially since Almora has looked good in his limited chances. If Zobrist continues to struggle, it would make sense he starts getting more time off.

Looked it up, Zobrist only has 9Ks, so it's not as many as I remember (he also has 3 GIDP), but Russell only has 7 so far in more PAs. So...

Also, in AAA:

Candelario is hitting .316/.409/.763, but 15Ks in 44PAs, and Happ is at .311/.367/.733, with 6HRs and only 6Ks in 49 PAs. I don't want to have to burn one of them on another bullpen arm.

Jimenez is playing in an extended ST game today, first game action since he got hurt in ST, and he doubled off the wall in his first AB.

I was scanning the Iowa roster to see if any bullpen help may be available without having to make a trade, and unfortunately there are a bunch of relatively known commodities - your Rosscups, your Felix Penas, your Zystrazinyzzezs - but what about Pierce Johnson? Looks like they're trying him out as a closer after moving him to the bullpen last year. He struggled badly with control in his first shot at AAA last year (age 24, walked 43 in 63 innings), but has averaged a strikeout per inning as a starter in his minor league career with a .231 OBA. Does zonk or someone know if he is seen as having promise as a reliever?

I'd rather see Felix Pena and Rob Z. in high-leverage roles than the current cast of characters.

Mark Gonzales‏ @MDGonzales 20s21 seconds ago
Edwards returns, La Stella on bereavement list

No disrespect to the LaStella or Edwards families, but this is taking roster shenanigans to new heights...

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Does zonk or someone know if he is seen as having promise as a reliever?

I don't think I've read many great things about his stuff, but sometimes that move to the pen just helps a guys career click.

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I'd rather see Felix Pena and Rob Z. in high-leverage roles than the current cast of characters.

In all seriousness, this is ridiculous.

I feel like Pierce Johnson has been a Cubs prospect for 10 years now. I'm shocked he's only 26.

No disrespect to the LaStella or Edwards families, but this is taking roster shenanigans to new heights...

Killing players' grandmothers is the new market inefficiency.

Week Two Thoughts:
I preferred week one.

The bullpen has looked much better the last 2 games, and while I don't think that means much, it probably means as much as the other bad outings. I like how Maddon has been using guys lately, and Rondon is looking better each outing.

I'm starting to worry a bit about Hendricks, especially since his velocity is way down. Interesting Fangraphs speculation, but not sure I buy that.

I still think Zobrist looks toasty, but I did look up his splits and he's always been a slow starter, so maybe that's just it. But he's had some really, really bad ABs late in close games.

These last two games are the kinds of games I wish I could have been at Wrigley for. Any win is fun, but these back-and-forth, high-intensity comebacks are the best. I've been lucky to see a few of them over the years, and there's nothing more rewarding as a fan than seeing everything work out after all seems lost.

On Pierce Johnson -

The book on him while he was a starter was that he's got a major league quality fastball and curve, but that his repertoire lacked anything approaching a third pitch... he supposedly worked a lot on developing a change in 2015 and 2016, but you'd think that the bullpen would be a good place for a guy with 2 quality pitches that has trouble developing a 3rd.

I suppose the "other" bright side to Johnson - while he gets hurt constantly, he's weirdly never had any arm/shoulder problems. He's missed significant time over the years with back strains, calf pulls, hammies, lats, you name it - but other than the odd blister here or there, never had a problem in the right arm/shoulder, so far as I can remember.

IDK... I don't like relievers that walk people - though, I suppose a 10+ K/9 can cover up a lot of sins. This is probably his last year in the org if he doesn't make it happen.

I'm not optimistic, but he'd hardly be the first guy with a limited repertoire who finally found a home in the bullpen after the prospect sheen wore off.

I'm ready for the Brian Duensing Experience to end. Time to move on to the next fungible lefty.

Yep. Funge Duensing. Funge him, I say!

One thing we've learned is that Schwarber-Almora-Heyward needs to be the regular OF alignment. It's quite a change from 2016, when Zobrist got a lot of outfield time and even Bryant and Contreras made 10+ starts in left. With Jay (stretched as an everyday player, perfect as a 4th OF) and Szczur, there's much less need for positional flexibility.

Zobrist, frankly, doesn't have a role on this year's team. I wonder if the Cubs could shop around his "veteran clutchiness" and get in return a reliable left-handed reliever. Happ could then be promoted.

Egads, Rfield has Schwarber at -5 already. That is Dunnian.