After every game of the Cubs 2022 season, I will give out some awards like hockey does with their stars of the game system. the 4 balls of the game will go out to the 4 players who positively helped the Cubs. I will also do some critiques of the team, with the 3 players who didnt have their best effort. A 4 ball player can turn into a 3 strike player and vice versa. This is just an effort to put a microscope in the individual game.
The Cubs won their first low scoring game 2-1, behind a couple of individual stellar performances. The Cubs only took 2 walks after being 5th in walks through the first series of the season. Pitching held up nicely overall. So lets get going!
Ball 1:
David Robertson 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, S (2)
David continued his scoreless streak to 3 Innings today. He had a hard contact which was secured by Ian Happ to close the game. Robertson got all his outs with the help of the defense. Robertson got his second save, and is feeling pretty secure in the closer role at the moment. This has been a good signing for the Cubs in the early going.
Ball 2:
Ian Happ 2-3
Ian Happ has started off his season and strong, and today in Pittsburgh it continued. In the top of the 3rd he hit a strong live drive to right field. He went right back to Cole Tucker with a ground ball to Tucker. Ian Happ in 10 AB’s has 7 hits, 4 RBI’s, and 1 walk. Oh, and Ian Happ doesn’t have a strikeout yet.
Ball 3:
Drew Smyly 5.0 IP, 0.60 WHIP, 1 K, 0 ER
What a start for this rotation. This has been great to watch the first time through this staff. Smyly trusted his defense and only gave up 3 hits and didnt walk anyone. Smyly continues the trend of contact-out pitchers the Cubs have a lot of. The defense did its job today, and they will have to if the Cubs are going to continue this success.
Ball 4:
Seiya Suzuki 2-4, 2 HR (3), 2 RBI
Seiya was the only reason for the Cubs runs today. He also outscored the Pirates today. Suzuki has had no learning curve so far in the majors. He is patient. He waits for the right moment, and strikes. He takes his walks, he has the hand speed to get to any pitch, and he knows how to make contact. Check out this stat by Stats.
Suzuki now has a 1.696 OPS in this very young season.
Strike 1:
Patrick Wisdom 0-3, 1 BB, 3 K’s, 3 LOB
Wisdom hasn’t had the best start to the season. Hes gone 1-13 and 7 K’s. Wisdom needs to be better. There isnt an obvious first base option. Hes left too many on base. He needs to work on making contact, and bringing in runs.
Strike 2:
Frank Schwindel 1-4, 2 K’s, 3 LOB
The Cubs need one of Frank or Patrick to pan out and so far it hasnt been either of him. Frank has an OPS of .481. This isnt sustainable. Frank can take his walks, and he needs to harness some contact of pitches in the zone.
Strike 3:
Nick Madrigal: 0-4
Nick didnt strike out, that is the only positive thing you can say about him today. He struck one ball that could be accounted for bad luck batted ball. Batting average doesnt matter to most players, but for a guy who wont slug, batting average tells a true story of that player. Nick so far as an average of .067. He has one walk in 17 PA’s. This wont work. If Madrigal keeps this up, it will be Hoyers first big black eye.
Burk Report 