Yea bats have really been alive in West Sacramento. And have also been getting decent starting pitching based on how much of a hitters park the Cub bats have made it look like.
*** Official 2025 Chicago Cubs Thread***
- Thread starter Cyforce
- Start date
Yea bats have really been alive in West Sacramento. And have also been getting decent starting pitching based on how much of a hitters park the Cub bats have made it look like.
Licking my chops at the talent so far. Only area I’d like to see addressed if the deadline were tomorrow is adding Sandy Alcantara and seeing if there are any elite backend bullpen arms.
Two interesting bits I might’ve missed at some point but guys that are in the know have confirmed
- The Luzardo trade didn’t happen because of medicals. While many thought the Cubs didn’t like Luzardos medicals, it was actually the Marlins not liking Owen Caissies
- We had a deal we liked quite a bit more with the Braves for Bellinger but the Braves didn’t like someone’s medicals included on the Cubs end. Unsure if it was Bellis medicals or someone else’s
- The Luzardo trade didn’t happen because of medicals. While many thought the Cubs didn’t like Luzardos medicals, it was actually the Marlins not liking Owen Caissies
- We had a deal we liked quite a bit more with the Braves for Bellinger but the Braves didn’t like someone’s medicals included on the Cubs end. Unsure if it was Bellis medicals or someone else’s
Well we at least know the A's really suck this year. Now starts a tough stretch against good teams that we'll see if the offense can keep up the hot hitting against better pitching. I still worry about our pitching, its early but Steele is giving up a lot of hits so far. The bullpen has been rough at times too, let's hope that is not a trend and guys just need to get ramped up a little at the start of the season.
Playing when it's in the 40's and the wind blowing in should help the pitching you would think.
Chicago, IL 10-Day Weather Forecast | Weather Underground
Chicago Weather Forecasts. Weather Underground provides local & long-range weather forecasts, weatherreports, maps & tropical weather conditions for the Chicago area.
www.wunderground.com
End of bullpen with Hodge and Pressley is pretty good. Need those high leverage 6th and 7th inning guys to be reliable. I think there’s enough candidates to make that happen. Just got to sort out who that is. Merrywether has looked like 2023, which would be huge.
Pressley is going to need to string together some clean innings before I have any confidence in him as the closer.
3/19: 1 IP 3 walks 0 K
3/27: 1 IP 2 hits 1 run 0 K
3/29: 1 IP 4 hits 2 runs 1 HR allowed 1 walk 1 K and somehow still pulled off the save in Rod Beck fashion
4/1 1 IP 1 hit 0 K and got the Save
Yes its a small sample size early in the season but the Astros didn't want much for him so I am a little skeptical on if he can be a reliable closer. Hopefully I am wrong but we've been shopping the bargain bin for the bullpen the past few years and it hasn't always turned out that well.
I know it’s a numbers game( who has options ) but Palencia was dominant in the zone this spring every time I saw him throw. One appearance in Iowa one inning three batters two Ks.
Last edited:
I hope he's finally figured it out because that 100 MPH fastball out of the pen would play well with our mostly softer tossing rotation. Guessing if he strings together several good outings in Iowa he'll be up pretty quickly if there is an injury or someone struggling that has options still.
I wondered about him today. Thanks for the update. I’ll get down to an I-Cubs game or three as soon as this weather warms up my bones. Going to Pittsburgh at end of April!
Pressly is going to give us all ulcers this season.
