Chicago Cubs rolling with 8-1 record
It's fun coming to the ballpark every day just to see how Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon puts together his lineup.
For Thursday night's 8-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, Maddon moved Kris Bryant from third base to left field, allowing Tommy La Stella to get a start at third.
And things could look different this weekend, with three day games against the Colorado Rockies.
"I try to look at a series in advance, talking about a week in advance, but at least a series in advance," said Maddon, whose first-place team won its fifth in a row to improve to 8-1, breaking open a 3-0 game with 5 runs in the eighth.
The 8-1 start ties the franchise record for the best start through nine games. It was done last in 1969.
Whatever the Cubs have trotted out, it has worked.
"I like the way we're playing baseball," Maddon said after the game. "I think we're ready to play baseball. The things you talk about in (spring-training) camp or meetings, the guys are doing it."
Maddon has plenty of options that are more than viable.
"I had a choice between playing La Stella last night or today," Maddon said. "Looking at the starter last night (Alfredo Simon) and the starter today (Raisel Iglesias) for Cincinnati, we could use more lefties today as opposed to yesterday, so that was part of getting La Stella involved."
Maddon went with Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist as his 1-2-3 hitters to set the table for Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. Bryant put the Cubs ahead with his second homer of the season and second in two nights, a solo shot to left in the second inning.
On the mound, Jason Hammel (1-0) delivered his second straight quality start, as he went 6 shutout innings, giving up 4 hits.
Hammel helped out on offense in the 2-run fifth. After Addison Russell led off with a single, Hammel doubled over the head of right fielder Jay Bruce, scoring Russell. Hammel later came home on a sacrifice fly by Zobrist.
"Anytime you're scoring 7-plus runs a game, and you've got a staff that knows a little bit of what they're doing, I think we have a pretty good chance of winning," Hammel said.
An off-season of hard work benefited Hammel in spring training and in the early part of the season, as his 0.75 ERA attests. He is coming off a 2015 that had its ups and downs.
"It was a look-in-the-mirror-type moment," he said. "You've got to find out and figure out what's inside and continue to work hard. I dedicated myself to making some changes in the off-season. It was important. I felt bad, obviously, the way things panned out last year.
"That's last year. I'm able to focus on some good things this year and simplify as much as I could. So far, it's translated."
Scouting report
Chicago Cubs vs. Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Friday and Saturday; WGN Sunday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Kyle Hendricks (1-0) vs. Chad Bettis (1-0) Friday; Jake Arrieta (2-0) vs. Christian Bergman (0-1) Saturday; Jon Lester (1-0) vs. Tyler Chatwood (1-1) Sunday. All games 1:20 p.m.
At a glance: The story for the Rockies this year has been shortstop Trevor Story, who entered Thursday leading the National League with 7 home runs and 13 RBI. He also led in total bases, slugging percentage and extra-base hits. Former Cubs infielder DJ LeMahieu went into Thursday batting .464 with a .516 OBP. After their first eight games, the Rockies had a team ERA of 7.61. After a night-game heavy start to the season, the Cubs play three day games in a row before heading out to St. Louis and Cincinnati. Cubs batters entered Thursday leading the league in walks (48). Cubs pitchers entered Wednesday with a WHIP of 0.87, best in the majors.
Next: St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, Monday-Wednesday
- Bruce Miles