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Chicago Tribune
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago baseball report: Division play heats up for the Cubs and the White Sox
For the first time this season, the Cubs finally played a team below .500 this week when they traveled to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates. It also represented their first games against a division opponent, something only two other MLB teams had not yet done this year entering Tuesday. The Cubs will need to beat the hard-throwing Paul Skenes on Thursday to take the series before traveling to Milwaukee for a three-game set against the Brewers beginning Friday. The Sox jump back into division play next week against the Kansas City Royals. The four-game series begins Monday at Kauffman Stadium. The Sox went 1-12 against the Royals last season. Every Thursday during the regular season, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened — and what's ahead — for the Cubs and White Sox. Want more? Sign up for our Cubs Insider and White Sox Insider. Lower arm slot adjustment leads to success, call up to Cubs for right-hander Chris Flexen When Chris Flexen arrived at big-league camp with the Cubs this spring and went through their pitching lab process, a necessary change became glaringly evident. After looking through the data, video and getting eyes on him, the Cubs' pitching department identified that Flexen's arm slot was contributing to inconsistencies with his command and the quality of his stuff. The group immediately worked with the 30-year-old right-hander to lower his arm slot after being 'extremely higher' than it had been in the past when he was successful with Seattle from 2021-2022 (3.66 ERA in 64 games/53 starts). 'I was in very bad body positions, so lack of command, lack of stuff, lack of life and things like that,' Flexen said Wednesday. 'So we tried to drop the slot. It wasn't anything too crazy. I'm not a side arm thrower now. I still throw very over the top, but enough to be able to create a little more lasso whip in the arm. 'It's a continuous thing to always work on, whether it be in weighted balls, sides, games, all of it, and just getting constant feedback,' Flexen said. 'And having great eyes on it, and always being able to make those adjustments on the fly.' The adjustment and subsequent consistency led to great results with Triple-A Iowa, where Flexen posted a 1.16 ERA in 23 1/3 innings spanning five starts in which he didn't allow a home run and struck out 21 batters while walking eight. The Cubs added Flexen to the 40-man roster Tuesday and called him up to Pittsburgh. Left-hander Tom Cosgrove was optioned to Iowa, and right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day injured list to open a 40-man roster spot for Flexen. Flexen had a May 1 opt-out in his minor-league deal, forcing the Cubs to decide on his future in the organization. With how well Flexen had been pitching for Iowa, he would have garnered interest from other organizations. Flexen is expected to be used in a multi-inning, long-relief role in the bullpen. 'This is a guy that's had success, he kind of got off track, and you have confidence that those guys can get back on track and pitching well,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'He's got major-league hitters out, and he was obviously doing a great job getting Triple-A hitters out and earned an opportunity.' What has driven the opener strategy recently deployed by the Sox? The Sox tied a major-league mark by using an opener for the fourth consecutive game on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Sox matched the Tampa Bay Rays, who did it from Sept. 2-5, 2018, according to STATS. Sox senior adviser to pitching Brian Bannister discussed the benefits of the strategy, which was first deployed during the weekend series against the Athletics. 'I know it's something we did a lot in San Francisco, you see it used successfully like what the (Detroit) Tigers did last year in the second half after the (Jack) Flaherty trade,' Bannister said Sunday in West Sacramento, Calif. 'I think it does help set up the lineup in favor of the starting pitcher that follows, especially when there's a little thump. You're guaranteed to get their best hitters in the first inning. So I think just giving an alternate look, an alternate hand could be really successful. 'We're at a point now, with the loss of (starter) Martín (Pérez) short term, our entire major-league pitching staff is making $10 million. There's a lot of guys with less than a year of service time, so anything we can do to facilitate that adjustment to the major-league level and give them an edge just against these opposing lineups, can be very beneficial.' As for concerns about the potential impact on a young starter's development, Bannister said pitchers like Sean Burke and Jonathan Cannon have still had the chance to go through their normal routines. 'They still get to prepare like they're starting that day, they can still do all their pregame stuff. It's not a surprise when they're going in, it's premeditated,' Bannister said. 'They're going in in the second or against a specific hitter, and so everything really stays the same. So to them, it feels like a start, but they get the advantage of maybe getting past those first couple hitters and the opposing manager has to set things up the way that it is going to be most beneficial for their team, which could help our guys. 'With any of these young guys, just trying to get them some momentum.' Number of the week: 13 The Sox had a 7-23 record coming into Thursday. Of the 23 defeats, 13 have been by one or two runs. Week ahead: Cubs Thursday: at Pirates, 11:35 a.m., Marquee Friday: at Brewers, 7:10 p.m., Marquee Saturday: at Brewers, 6:10 p.m., Marquee Sunday: at Brewers, 1:10 p.m., Marquee Monday: vs. Giants, 6:40 p.m., Marquee Tuesday: vs. Giants, 6:40 p.m., Marquee Wednesday: vs. Giants, 1:20 p.m., Marquee If the Cubs are going to take their hot April offensive performance into May, maintaining their level of high-quality at-bats and continuing to put pressure on opposing pitching staffs must continue. That approach was especially on display in Tuesday's victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates when the Cubs did not strike out in the game. It represented the first time Cubs hitters avoided striking out in a game since July 3, 2013, at Oakland. Beyond the lack of strikeouts, the Cubs also hit four home runs in the win. The last time the Cubs did that — zero strikeouts and at least four home runs — was May 17, 1977, which marked just the fifth time in team history since 1901. That combination had not happened in a major-league game since the Los Angeles Angels did it on May 13, 2013. The Cubs' 10.0% walk rate is tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for fifth-best in the big leagues. 'No strikeouts is kind of what you take away,' manager Craig Counsell said afterward. 'I mean, I know we had some home runs, obviously, and that's great, but to go through a game without any strikeouts, that means we're having good at-bats. To me, (starter Andrew Heaney) was throwing a lot of strikes and nothing was happening. But that second time through, we did a fabulous job of (innings) two through nine, hard contact, good at-bats every single time so we put some pressure on them.' Week ahead: White Sox Thursday: vs. Brewers, 1:10 p.m., CHSN Friday: vs. Astros, 6:40 p.m., CHSN Saturday: vs. Astros, 1:10 p.m., CHSN Sunday: vs. Astros, 1:10 p.m., CHSN Monday: at Royals, 6:40 p.m., CHSN Tuesday: at Royals, 6:40 p.m., CHSN Wednesday: at Royals, 6:40 p.m., CHSN When Luis Robert Jr. has reached base, he's been on the go. The center fielder entered Wednesday leading the American League with 11 stolen bases. 'Every time I get on base, I'm thinking of stealing that base,' Robert said through an interpreter on Tuesday. Robert stole a career-high 23 bases last season. He said his body 'feels good.' 'I hope it feels this way all season,' Robert said. 'I've been running a lot. I've been doing my work in the gym. I've been very diligent in my preparation and hopefully that's something that's going to keep me out of injuries this season.' Robert is still trying to find a groove at the plate, hitting .158 with four home runs and nine RBIs in 27 games coming into Wednesday. 'Even though my offensive production hasn't been at the level I wanted or what I know I can do, I've been able to help this team in other different areas,' Robert said. 'I think that's good. Of course, this is just a month into the season. I think we have to pass this month and then focus on the next month, or at least that's my goal.' What we're reading this morning Quotable 'He's a highly, highly instinctual baseball player, man. I mean, it's where you want to kind of see what's going on inside his head. But he's really good at reading swings. He's got tremendous command of the baseball. We talk about command and put grades on it and use words on it, but it's at the top of 10% of the command in the league.' —
Chicago Tribune
10-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago baseball report: The White Sox get walked off twice — but the Cubs surge through a tough April schedule
The Chicago Cubs' challenging April is off to a good start. A 4-2 homestand against the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers has the Cubs sitting well as they enter the next phase of the gauntlet, a six-game trip to face the Los Angeles Dodgers and Padres. After a rough trip that has featured consecutive walk-off losses to the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians, the White Sox return to Rate Field on Friday to begin a six-game homestand — three each against the Boston Red Sox and Sacramento Athletics. Every Thursday during the regular season, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened — and what's ahead — for the Cubs and White Sox. Want more? Sign up for our Cubs Insider and White Sox Insider. Cubs confident in Pete Crow-Armstrong's approach The hits haven't been falling for Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. An 0-for-3 day in the Cubs' 6-2 loss to the Rangers on Wednesday dropped his average to .211 with a .549 OPS. The Cubs aren't worrying yet about Crow-Armstrong's offensive production, in part because of an improved walk rate, up 3.1% from last year. And when he has gotten on base, he remains a constant threat to steal, entering the road trip 6-for-6 in attempts this season. 'I think he's just in a really good spot lower-half wise, like, the consistency of the swing, no matter what the pitch location or pitch velocity is, is very similar,' hitting coach Dustin Kelly told the Tribune. 'We haven't seen a lot of the kind of off-balance flailing, or super late playing defense.' Crow-Armstrong's second-half development in 2024 set him up to be a regular in the lineup this year. And with that comes some security, knowing that rough stretches won't mean a quick benching. While Crow-Armstrong looks for the hits to start going his way, he's seeing an increase in bat speed from last year, another encouraging sign, going from 70.6 to 72.4 mph. 'He's getting his 'A' swing off a lot and a lot of that has to do with how comfortable he is in the box and really confident,' Kelly said. 'So, when guys are feeling that way, and he had a great offseason, those numbers will jump up a little bit, and I think they'll fluctuate throughout the year.' Mike Tauchman returns from the IL, looking to give the Sox 'an edge' Mike Tauchman is focused on just trying to play his game regardless of where he is slotted in the Sox batting order. 'Nobody has success when they're out there trying to do too much,' Tauchman said Sunday in Detroit. 'So I'm going to try to take quality at-bats and play good defense and run the bases well. Just try to do the things that I do and not try to do too much.' After beginning the regular season on the injured list, Tauchman went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run while hitting at the top of the lineup in his Sox debut Sunday against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Tauchman had been out with a right hamstring strain suffered in spring training. 'First couple weeks of spring are super internal with everything — trying to feel how things feel, getting ready for opening day rather than completely focused on results in spring,' Tauchman said. 'I felt like that was kind of transitioning that last week (of camp), I was feeling pretty good at the plate, so it's unfortunate (the injury) happened when it did, but I'm ready to go.' He showed no lingering effects from the injury Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field, making a sensational running catch in right field to rob Bo Naylor of an extra-base hit in the fifth inning of a 1-0 loss. But Tauchman came up limping while heading home attempting to score the game-tying run in the ninth inning on Wednesday. Venable described it as 'something in his lower half,' and the Sox later said it was right hamstring tightness. Tauchman, 34, and the Sox agreed to terms on a one-year deal in December. The eight-year major-league veteran spent the last two seasons with the Cubs. 'Love his consistency, his approach, his professionalism,' Sox manager Will Venable said. 'He gives us an edge. Brings great energy to the clubhouse, to the dugout.' Number of the week: 75 Entering Wednesday, the Sox had stuck out the second-fewest times in the majors this season (75), just behind the Tampa Bay Rays (74). Week ahead: Cubs Thursday: off Friday: at Dodgers, 9:10 p.m., Marquee Saturday: at Dodgers, 8:10 p.m., Marquee Sunday: at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m., ESPN Monday: at Padres, 8:40 p.m., Marquee Tuesday: at Padres, 8:40 p.m., Marquee Wednesday: at Padres, 3:10 p.m., Marquee The Cubs' home dugout was redone in the offseason and the new look features less bench seating. Instead of a row of benches spanning from one entrance into the dugout to the other end, half of them were removed. The area was leveled to create more space for players, coaches and personnel to stand. Manager Craig Counsell noted wryly that it won't help them win any games, but he likes the new alignment. 'Just create a little more communal feel in the dugout,' Counsell explained. 'The dugout tends to be like two rooms almost. It's the top step and the bottom step. And you can't even discuss or talk to people on the bottom step and then the bottom edge of the dugout.' Week ahead: White Sox Thursday: at Guardians, 12:10 p.m., CHSN Friday: vs. Red Sox, 6:40 p.m., CHSN+ Saturday: vs. Red Sox, 3:10 p.m., CHSN Sunday: vs. Red Sox, 1:10 p.m., CHSN+ Monday: off Tuesday: vs. Athletics, 6:40 p.m., CHSN+ Wednesday: vs. Athletics, 6:40 p.m., CHSN The White Sox and Red Sox were involved in one of the headline trades of the offseason, with starter Garrett Crochet going to Boston for four prospects in catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, outfielder Braden Montgomery and pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez. Crochet is 1-1 with a 1.45 ERA and 17 strikeouts in three starts with the Red Sox. Boston's probable pitchers for the weekend series against the White Sox were unknown as of Wednesday afternoon, but Crochet most recently pitched Tuesday — allowing one earned run in 5 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. Teel was named the International League Player of the Week on March 31 after going 6-for-12 with two home runs and nine RBIs for Triple-A Charlotte in the first three games of the season. Meidroth had a .296/.472/.667 slash line with three home runs, four RBIs and seven walks in eight games with the Knights. Montgomery had seven RBIs in his first three games with Class A Kannapolis. What we're reading this morning Quotable 'You've got to acknowledge it, I think is the biggest thing, I really do. I think you have to acknowledge, like, it's going to suck out there. It just is, right? But that's part of it, and not fight it.' — manager Craig
Chicago Tribune
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Cactus League report: Cubs and White Sox will finalize rosters as camp closes — and the Sox approach opening day
It's 'go time' for the Chicago White Sox and 'take two' for the Chicago Cubs. The White Sox have several roster decisions to make ahead of Thursday's season opener against the Los Angeles Angels at Rate Field. Nagging injuries to the likes of infielder Josh Rojas (hairline fracture in his big right toe) add wrinkles to the process. The Cubs have a couple of decisions as well after opening the season with two losses in Japan, notably whether to keep Vidal Bruján or Rule 5 draft pick Gage Workman as the extra infielder and Brad Keller in the bullpen. Tyson Miller's injury should open the door for Keller, and the Cubs should make their final decision on Bruján or Workman soon. 'I don't think we have to (wait long),' manager Craig Counsell said. 'It's a time of roster activity around the industry, so you do tend to wait because of that, right? Every Monday during spring training, Tribune baseball writers will provide an update on what happened — and what's ahead — for the Cubs and White Sox. Want more baseball news? Sign up for our Cubs Insider and White Sox Insider. Cubs can't stop praising Tokyo The trip to Tokyo left a lasting impression on the Cubs players and Counsell, from the 40,000-plus fans on hand for batting practice to the presence of Shohei Ohtani's face wherever they went. 'I assumed he'd be everywhere, and he is,' Dansby Swanson said. 'He's like our Michael Jordan, the craze and the popularity and the desire to want to get a glimpse of him. The whole thing, it's pretty cool.' The Japanese traditions, like singing and chanting, were very different from what most major league players are used to, except perhaps for the Latin Americans. 'The exhibitions games (against Japanese teams) were really fun, and a great time to see how fans interact with their teams,' Ian Happ said. 'It was a little different for the Dodgers-Cubs games. I think they were trying to be respectful of Major League Baseball, so it was a different atmosphere. It was amazing how much the fan base loves the (Japanese) players that come over (to the United States). 'Baseball is so big over there, even for us. People outside the hotel wanting autographs, and in the exhibition games there were even some signs for me, which was pretty amazing.' How do the Japanese teams compare with the majors? 'There is obviously a lot of talent over there and guys that can really play,' Swanson said. 'The fundamental side of things, they're just as good as anybody over here. The biggest thing you'd have to do to create an even comparison is the ball, which obviously is different. But I have no doubt there are plenty of guys over there that could play over here.' Sox prospects, including 2024 first-round pick Hagen Smith, took a lot away from the spring. Several prominent members of the Sox future got their first taste of major-league camp for a portion of this spring. That includes pitchers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz, who were eventually reassigned to minor-league camp on March 6. The left-handers achieved another first on Saturday, starting both parts of split-squad games. Smith, the team's first-round pick in 2024, allowed six runs (five earned) on three hits with five walks and one strikeout in 2 1/3 innings against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch. 'Body felt good, just mechanics again, kind of something off,' Smith said after the game. 'Just kind of missing with my fastball. I don't usually do that, but it's all right. 'Something in the lower half just messes everything up.' Schultz also displayed some wildness Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on one hit with five walks and three strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields. Smith made three Cactus League appearances (one start), finishing with an 8.44 ERA, five strikeouts and eight walks in 5 1/3 innings. Schultz, the team's first-round pick in 2022 from Oswego East, also had three Cactus League outings (one start). He had a 3.86 ERA, four strikeouts and eight walks in 4 2/3 innings. Smith took plenty away from the entire spring experience. 'It was awesome to be in big-league camp, obviously didn't throw the way I wanted to,' he said. 'Could have thrown way better, should have thrown way better. But it's all right. Hopefully next year I'll get the same opportunity and do better.' Smith is excited for whatever minor-league assignment is ahead. 'Looking forward to getting better,' Smith said. 'I have a lot to improve on, obviously. Just go out there and try to improve and get better every week.' Number of the week: .172 The Cubs batting average off Los Angeles Dodgers pitching in the two-game series in Tokyo. Week ahead: Cubs Monday: vs. Braves, 3:05 p.m. Tuesday: vs. Braves, 3:05 p.m. (Cactus League finale) Wednesday: off Thursday: at Diamondbacks, 9:10 p.m. (domestic opening day) Friday: at Diamondbacks, 8:40 p.m. Saturday: at. Diamondbacks, 7:10 p.m. Sunday: at Diamondbacks, 3:10 p.m. After the Dodgers series, the Cubs start with another big test in Arizona, including opening day starter Corbin Burnes. Chairman Tom Ricketts conceded the Cubs are the team to beat in the National League Central. 'That's fair,' Counsell said. 'I agree in the sense that our expectations should always be (to make) the playoffs.' Jameson Taillon, who starts Game 2 in Arizona on Friday, said it's probably better to start by facing some of the league's elite teams. 'You see it in college football sometimes,' he said. 'Some teams will have like easy-cake schedules and stomp people. And then when they get tested, it's like, 'Oh, (bleep),' we have a lot to work on. Then you also see teams that test themselves early and might lose a close game and then really get a lot better for it as the season goes on. We have the opportunity to show, one, that we can play with these teams, and also, if anything gets exposed early, I'd rather have it now than later so you can address it and clean it up.' Counsell declined to reveal his feelings on the strength of the NL Central, which is not considered one of the better divisions with ongoing rebuilds in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and few key additions by St. Louis or Milwaukee. 'Prognosticating that stuff is somewhat useless,' he said. 'I don't think it's weaker is the best way to say it. There certainly are some strengths with every team and some weaknesses with every team, just as every team has… except for maybe one.' That one, of course, is the Dodgers. Week ahead: White Sox Monday: vs. Athletics, 2:05 p.m. (Cactus League finale) Tuesday: off Wednesday: off Thursday: vs. Angels, 3:10 p.m. (opening day) Friday: off Saturday: vs. Angels, 1:10 p.m. Sunday: vs. Angels, 1:10 p.m. Andrew Vaughn always looks forward to the atmosphere of opening day. 'Everybody's excited — players, fans, everybody involved,' Vaughn told the Tribune on Saturday. 'It's kind of like that first day of school feeling — it really is. 'Getting back and getting to represent the city is always special.' The Sox wrap up spring training with Monday's Cactus League finale against the Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Opening day is Thursday against the Angels at Rate Field. Vaughn said the biggest goals during camp for hitters are getting the timing back, seeing pitching and preparing to withstand a full season. 'It definitely takes a few at-bats,' Vaughn said. 'You can do everything in the offseason — cage stuff, BP. But you've really got to get in the box and face live pitchers. Once you get a few at-bats under your belt, it starts to form back together.' The next step is taking the work from Glendale to Chicago. 'The spring has been good,' Vaughn said. 'I've seen a lot of good baseball from everybody. It's been great. 'Definitely excited to get to Chicago. It's going to be a little chilly, that's for sure. Definitely a weather change. Very excited for that (start to the season).' What we're reading Quotable 'He had a great day and I was able to apply the spring training rule of 'If you hit two homers you're done playing.' That's the rule for everybody but Pete (Crow-Armstrong).' — Craig Counsell on Seiya Suzuki's two home runs Saturday in his first two at-bats.
Chicago Tribune
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Photos: An inside look at 2025 Chicago Cubs spring training
A look inside 2025 Chicago Cubs spring training at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. — and sign up for our new Cubs Insider newsletter here.
