MESA, Arizona– Throughout this pandemic, we have all become accustomed to the changes in the sports we watch. For the most part, changes have been to the schedule or the teams’ rosters. In spring training baseball, rule changes have made the game different in return for a faster pace of play. Those changes came into play in the 8-8 tie between the Chicago Cubs (2-0- 1) and the Seattle Mariners (1-1-1).
Nothing better exemplifies this than the bottom of the 6th inning; Mariners pitcher Nick Duron took over on the mound, looking to keep the score tied. However, Duron did not have his best stuff; his first pitch hit Brennen Davis, granting him first base. He would walk three straight Cubs, scoring Davis as he came around to score after all the free passes. With no outs and the bases loaded, it seemed like the Cubs were on the verge of exploding on offense.
However, that was the end of the inning. Due to pitch rules for Spring Training, an inning can be ended by the defensive team if the pitcher reaches 20 pitches. The Mariners decided not to finish the inning, so the Cubs’ threat was over. Eventually, in the 9th, a Jack Reinheimer homer to left-center for the Mariners secured an 8-8 tie score.
Cubs’stars getting comfortable early; Mariners’ prospects shine
In Spring Training, the result on the scoreboard is less important than other matters; the opportunities for stars to get back in form and the opportunities prospects are given to show what they have. In this matchup, stars for the Cubs showed their readiness, while the young guns for the Mariners made the most of their opportunities.
Cubs stars Anthony Rizzo and newly acquired Joc Pederson both belted 2-run home runs early. Both Rizzo and Pederson are gearing up for a huge 2021 at the top of the Cubs’ lineup. Pederson is looking to find the same success he had in the 2020 postseason with the World Champion Dodgers. After a lackluster regular season, Pederson went on to hit .382 and 3 home runs in the playoffs. He signed a 1-year, $7 million deal in January to help replace Kyle Schwarber, who signed with the Nationals.
For the Mariners, they got homers from the 21-year-old Jarred Kelenic and the 23-year-old Taylor Trammell. According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Kelenic is the 3rd overall prospect in baseball. Kelenic and Trammell (84th) are joined by Julio Rodriguez (9th) in McDaniel’s top 100 prospect list; they are a part of the 6th best farm system in baseball.
Cubs’ pitchers fair well
In spring training, pitchers need to make the most of the windows of opportunity they have to get adjusted. For the Cubs, starter Zach Davies wasted no time making the most of his opportunity; he pitched two innings, striking out two without allowing a hit.
Three other pitchers recorded similar stats for the Cubs. Andrew Chafin, James Norwood, and Juan Gomez all held the Mariners hitless as well. Those three combined for 3 innings of scoreless work, providing 2 strikeouts.
Up Next
Cubs @ Dodgers, Thursday, March 4, Camelback Ranch, Phoenix, AZ Mariners vs. the Rockies, Thursday, March 4, Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria, AZ
