CHICAGO — Listed below are 5 takeaways from the season-opening sequence at Wrigley Self-discipline wherein the Chicago Cubs took two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers.
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1. Kyle Hendricks’ contract looks to be extensive for either aspect.
On this wacky world of increased offense and financial uncertainty, the Cubs know they’ve no worse than a consistent, effective pitcher tied up through at least 2023.
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Kyle Hendricks’ three-hit shutout Friday modified into once a testomony to the well-liked improvements he has made one day of his occupation, including including an overhand curve that he’s no longer unnerved to throw in any depend.
This modified into once Hendricks’ fifth occupation shutout, and his effectivity enabled him to pitch the distance and retain the bullpen for the remainder of the sequence.
Hendricks could per chance hold been a free agent after this season, nevertheless he took the security of a four-year, $55.5 million contract in March 2019 with an option for 2024.
Now the Cubs hold the companies and products of a trusty pitcher while they kind out the futures of Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber — all of whom can develop into free brokers after 2021.
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2. Persistence will pay off for Tyler Chatwood.
Approach the originate up of Tyler Chatwood’s comeback in 2019, he printed that his arm wanted overtime to enhance after extra than one relief innings.
So his return to the rotation, largely out of need, has paid off. In spring coaching, solely a few pitches sailed a long way out of the strike zone.
And his sharpened slice fastball to the Brewers’ left-handed hitters Sunday modified into once about as effective as any pitch.
Admire Kyle Hendricks, Chatwood confirmed the confidence to throw any pitch in any depend. If Chatwood’s pitches continue to defend across the plate, the Cubs can in actuality feel considerably better about their rotation.
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3. The defense rebounded.
After botching a rundown on nationwide tv Saturday, the Cubs recovered with three outstanding plays Sunday.
Third baseman Kris Bryant turned an inning-ending double play with a trusty throw to thwart a rally within the seventh.
Regardless of the unusual prerequisites, Bryant took early fielding word with bench coach Andy Inexperienced. Manager David Ross modified into once gay that Bryant’s 0-for-12 originate up, which he snapped with a bloop single within the sixth Sunday, didn’t hold an ticket on his defense.
“Kris has in actuality matured in that role,” Ross acknowledged. “He has reach a prolonged reach for me to peek how he’s regarded so a long way defensively this year.”
Heart fielder Ian Happ caught a deep power by Keston Hiura sooner than slamming his again into the ivy-lined brick wall within the sixth, and replacement Albert Almora Jr. leaped to score Logan Morrison of an additional-injurious hit within the ninth.
“The inability of effort they had leaping into that ivy, coupled with that brick wall within the again of there, I’m able to’t notify enough about that,” Ross acknowledged. “I adore defense. I’m a defensive-minded particular person. On an offensive day, I modified into once in actuality proud of our defense.”
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4. The offense displayed extra than one identities.
David Ross doesn’t mind home runs, especially after they devise victories adore Friday’s opener wherein Anthony Rizzo and Ian Happ went deep.
However Ross took higher pleasure Sunday after the essential six batters of the fourth inning reached injurious with handiest one extra-injurious hit — an RBI double by Willson Contreras.
“The avid gamers are at their most effective after they’re staying up the center,” Ross acknowledged sooner than Sunday’s sport. “Our guys can shuffle deep anyplace in this ballpark. Our guys hold had extensive at bats. We positively want to defend up the center and the opposite direction.”
The Cubs scored their closing four runs Sunday on home runs, including reverse-self-discipline photos by Happ and Rizzo.
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5. The taxi squad is in role.
The use of the designated hitter allowed David Ross to insert third-string catcher Josh Phegley as a replacement for Victor Caratini at the DH space within the sixth inning.
Taxi guidelines voice that teams can burn as a lot as three avid gamers if one is a catcher. The Cubs doubtlessly won’t use all three spots, and it’s doubtless catcher Hernan Perez is their handiest player on the taxi squad.
Perez, who within the mean time is on the South Bend alternate roster, has performed at least ingredients of eight essential-league seasons.
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