Chicago Cubs Beat This Week

James Gargiulo
Mar 2, 2017
3 min read

NEWS & HEADLINES

Theo at the bat: Believe it or not, Cubs president can rake:

Ryan Dempster a former Cub, and current front office employee is retired from Major League Baseball but is going to pitch for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. However Dempster was stuck on whom would step into the batter’s box to face him, until Theo Epstein the Cubs President/ General Manager decided to put the helmet on and take some cuts. Epstein took five swings spraying one to left and a flair to right before he hung up the cleats.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18796124/cubs-president-theo-epstein-shows-hitting-skills-plate

Jorge Soler says trade from Cubs was best thing for him

Former Cub Jorge Soler has no hard feelings after the Northsiders traded the young talented but of injured outfielder to the Kansas City Royals, for closer Wade Davis. As good as Soler played (an 8-for-15, three-home run performance in his first four major-league games and a 9-for-19, three-homer effort in the 2015 playoffs.) he was not getting the reps that are needed for him to blossom into the impact player the Cubs envisioned when they signed the former Cuba star. He will get the chance to play everyday in Kansas City and be able to grow into the player in a less media driven environment than he had in Chicago. Both teams got what they needed with Royals getting a budding star, while the Cubs got the closer they desperately needed after World Series Star Chapman signed back with the Yankees. Cubs play the Royals on March 1st.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-jorge-soler-cubs-royals-trade-spt-0302-20170301-story.html

Eddie Butler impresses in Cubs debut to beat Royals/O gets surge from Young Bucks

Former prospect from Colorado Rockies, Eddie Butler pitched well in the Cubs 7-3 win over the Royals. Butler gave up a homerun to his first batter Alcides Escober, then proceeded to retire 6 of the next 7 batters, with only former Cub Soler reaching base HBP. Butler threw 18-21 of pitches for strikes showing great command, something that is common between Cubs pitchers. The Cubs also got production on offense from some young players, such as Victor Caratini who had three hits, including a double. Outfield prospect John Andreoli walked and tripled. Outfield prospect Jacob Hannemann doubled home a run and scored in the ninth. And top prospect Eloy Jimenez drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh and doubled down the left-field line in the ninth. If the Cubs can continue to draft and develop well this will be a team that can compete for a long time.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/eddie-butler-impresses-in-cubs-debut-to-beat-royals/

Cubs still rooting for 2016 team mascot David Ross on Dancing with the Stars

Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are more than excited to see their former teammate, David Ross on Dancing with the Stars. Bryant went as far to say that he believes Grandpa Rossy can bring home the hardware. Cubs manager Joe Maddon said “Ross is the perfect guy to be DWTS” citing his likeable personality and ability to not take himself to seriously. While Rizzo spoke of similar sentiments calling him the “perfect candidate for DWTS”, needless to say his former teammates are pulling for him.

Kyle Schwarber could be even scarier in leadoff spot

With departure of Dexter Fowler to their arch rivals the defending World Series Champs were now without a leadoff man, something that Fowler was very good in. Enter the Cubs slugging left fielder Kyle Schwarber who will be entering his first full in the league, with being a call up in 2015, and tearing his ACL at the beginning of 2016 and missing the whole year until the playoffs. Pitchers are going to have to pitch to him in the leadoff spot, including fastballs that he can take for a ride. With Bryant, Rizzo, Russell behind him this potent slugger becomes even more deadly in the 1 hole.

GAMES & SCORES

Sat 2/25 3/1

Giants vs Cubs- 8-6 L Cubs @ Royals- 7-3 W

A’s vs Cubs -4-3 W

3/2

2/26 Cubs @ Reds 3:05 pm

Indians vs Cubs- 1-1 T Cubs @Diamondbacks 905

2/27

WhiteSox vs Cubs- 4-4 T 3/3

Cubs @Reds 3:05 pm

2/28 3/4

Angels vs Cubs- 7-5 L Dodgers vs Cubs 3:05 pm