The MLB season is one day old, and if you're a Chicago sports fan, so far, so good. The Cubs closed out the Marlins 8-4 while the White Sox pummeled the Royals, 14-7. True, it's only one game for each team, but in so ways it's a continuation of ongoing trends for both teams. Let's start with the Cubs.
Is Jon Lester still an ace?
While the Cubs won fairly handily, starting pitcher Jon Lester wasn't good. He lasted only 3.1 innings and gave up four runs, three of which were earned. Lester lacked command and velocity. The loss of velocity isn't something new.
He experienced a drop of almost two mph off of his fastball last season and his peripheral stats were pretty much in league. A Lester renaissance is unlikely. He could well be the fifth best starter in their rotation. That's not entirely a slam on Lester, the Cubs' rotation is just very good.
Is one game too soon to worry about burnout?
The bullpen went 6.1 scoreless innings against a Marlins lineup not noted for its virility. Free agent acquisition Steve Cishek came in in the fourth inning to pick up the win. Cishek was followed by a parade of Cubs pitchers, including Brian Duensing, Pedro Strop, Justin Wilson and Mike Montgomery. That pen should be fine if they aren't overworked.
To err is Schwarber
The Cubs also made two errors. That in itself isn't a big deal, but the manner of the errors could cause some concern. Addison Russell made a throwing error. Last season throwing was an issue for Russell. If Russell's throwing continues to be an issue, Javy Baez could move over to shortstop. Kyle Schwarber had trouble on a couple of balls to left field.
One ball was in the air and the other on the ground. Schwarber's defense could still be an issue.
To homer is also Schwarber
Of course, when a team wins 8-4, some things are going right. The Cubs have power coming out the wazoo. Schwarber, Rizzo and Happ all homered. Happ homered on the first pitch of the game. Ian looks to be the Cubs' leadoff man for a while.
Interestingly, when Joe Maddon pulled Kyle Schwarber for defensive purposes, he put Albert Almora Jr. in left field and left Ian Happ at center. Happ seems to be nailing down the center field and leadoff spots for the Cubs.
Maddon calls out, 'La Stella, La Stella'
As a footnote, pinch hitter deluxe, Tommy La Stella, had a huge two-run double to give the Cubs some breathing room. La Stella may be the best pinch hitter in baseball. As a left-handed contact hitter with a little pop, he's a huge asset as a utility guy/pinch hitter.
White Sox use Davidson
After falling behind 4-0 in the first, the White Sox put on their big boy pants and smacked six home runs en route to a 14-7 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Matt Davidson slammed three homers while Tim Anderson added two, with Jose Abreu also adding a homer. If Davidson and Anderson make strides this season, the White Sox could surprise. The key will be their pitching.
Shields down, and then up
After being hammered in the first inning, Sox starter James Shields settled in and shut the Royals down after that. Shields went six innings and got the win. Shields has been disappointing since coming to the White Sox from the Padres, but slowly has been reinventing himself to become at least a serviceable starter again. If young guns Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer click, the White Sox could be fun to watch this season.
Of course, optimism in Chicago should be tempered by the fact that the Florida Marlins and Kansas City Royals figure to be bad baseball teams this season.
