1 00:00:06,120 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: Welcome into Northside Territory. Foul Territory Networks Cubs Podcast. I'm 2 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 1: Sahadev Charma with my partner Patrick Mooney. We are your 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: Cubs beat writers over at the Athletic Patrick. After six games, 4 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: the Cubs are three and three. Don't want to take 5 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: too much away from any of that, obviously, but we 6 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:31,040 Speaker 1: can always look at some trends, see what we're you know, 7 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: take like, have some small takeaways from what we're seeing 8 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 1: and seeing, try and understand what we may be seeing 9 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: going forward for April. I think one thing that stood 10 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: out to me early on is the starting pitching has 11 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: been really solid, outside of what like an inning from 12 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 1: from Matthew Boyd where he looked a little off and 13 00:00:55,960 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: then a pitch from Shoda after two bloop singles that 14 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: you know, actually Joey Weimer made a pretty good swing 15 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: on on a decent pitch that probably showed a wanted 16 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 1: in a slightly different location, but wasn't an awful pitch. 17 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:16,119 Speaker 1: A lot of swing and miss from this rotation early on, 18 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 1: which I wasn't expecting. Matthew Boyd was brilliant once again. 19 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:24,520 Speaker 1: I mean I thought he was brilliant through three innings 20 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,440 Speaker 1: in his first start obviously fell apart in that fourth inning. 21 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 1: But the second start, let's let's get the caveats that 22 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 1: they're playing bad teams to start the season out. It's early, 23 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:36,960 Speaker 1: but a ton of swing and miss from Matthew Boyd 24 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 1: early on. What was Craig Counsel saying about him? What 25 00:01:40,959 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 1: was how's Matthew Boyd feeling? What were the takeaways from that? 26 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: And kind of what what can we what can we 27 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: take from that and say like this is real going forward? 28 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: If anything? 29 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 2: I think, yeah, I think how to frame it? I 30 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 2: thought this was interesting Council mentioned in spring training and 31 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 2: I brought it up again on Wednesday. Losing track of 32 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 2: days here, but just this idea that the first three 33 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:12,840 Speaker 2: weeks of the season are really delicate point for starting pitchers. 34 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 2: That is what Council has learned through experience. It has 35 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:21,800 Speaker 2: informed a lot of his decisions. And he said it's 36 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 2: not about this particular group, it's just his years in 37 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 2: baseball obviously managing the Brewers. If you can get guys 38 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 2: past that, not that it means that you're in the clear, 39 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 2: but they're just you know, the ramp up, the scheduling, 40 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 2: just the general flow of the season, and I think 41 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 2: there were some questions, at least from our end on 42 00:02:42,760 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 2: Matthew Boyd of like, you know, World Baseball Classic, what 43 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:50,240 Speaker 2: does that mean? He had such a unbelievable year last 44 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:54,200 Speaker 2: year that I think exceeded all external expectations. It's like, 45 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 2: how would he bounce back? And yes, he had a 46 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 2: blip on opening Day, but he started the game awesome. 47 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 2: He looked great yesterday and I thought you'd appreciate he 48 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 2: was dressed like a Chicago Bears offensive lineman, not going 49 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:15,639 Speaker 2: long sleeves on thirty something degree day. 50 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, I saw that. That's having a kid playing high 51 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 1: school baseball and having to sit through this weather the 52 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:31,000 Speaker 1: past the past week. I don't know how they do that. 53 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 1: Certainly I don't recommend it, but that was impressive. Look, 54 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 1: his fastball looks as good as it ever has. He's 55 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: getting a lot of swinging miss I was. I don't 56 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: know what he finished with yesterday as far as whiffs, 57 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: just pure swing and miss, but he was at twenty 58 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: last I looked, and that's what he had in the 59 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: first game two. He's never done that in his Cub's career. 60 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 1: He until these first two starts it's the most he's 61 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: had in in games since like twenty nineteen. These are 62 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 1: the you know, these are the types of trends that 63 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: you say, like, oh, that's that's interesting, and like you said, like, 64 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: is it just like the WBC stuff, you don't You're 65 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 1: you're going to have a little concern about the WBC. 66 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,599 Speaker 1: There were a lot of guys who had if he 67 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:30,640 Speaker 1: starts to the season that participated in WBC. I don't 68 00:04:30,680 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 1: know if that's connected. I really don't. I don't want 69 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:36,160 Speaker 1: to take too much away from that because it feels 70 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:41,359 Speaker 1: like cherry picking. But it is something to watch and 71 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:43,320 Speaker 1: you always want to see, like, how's this guy doing? 72 00:04:43,440 --> 00:04:46,280 Speaker 1: How Like maybe that takes a little longer too. Maybe 73 00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:48,400 Speaker 1: that's what councils talking. I mean, I think in general 74 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 1: he's talking about the first three weeks, but also with 75 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 1: the WBC guy, I don't think you want to just 76 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 1: assume that it's clear sailing just because he's looked good 77 00:04:57,480 --> 00:05:02,640 Speaker 1: through two starts, but certainly liked that. He actually did 78 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:06,640 Speaker 1: start that fourth inning off a little bumpy quick walk 79 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:09,720 Speaker 1: to netto. I think he fell behind Trout three to 80 00:05:09,839 --> 00:05:14,080 Speaker 1: zero and then fought back and got him swinging it 81 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 1: was a strong start, and like, overall, these pitchers look 82 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 1: good and they just look ready to go. If this 83 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: could be a strength for this team to start the season, 84 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 1: that would be huge. Obviously, I don't think I'm breaking 85 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: news there, but but but but a starting staff that 86 00:05:37,640 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: can kind of lead the way and isn't purely you know, 87 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: isn't as reliant on its defense. It's great to have 88 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 1: that defense. They have an elite defense, and it's almost 89 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 1: like if you can get swing and miss and also 90 00:05:51,400 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 1: put the ball on the ground. That's why I like 91 00:05:52,839 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 1: Edward Cabrera so much because he does both and and 92 00:05:56,400 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 1: I mean he was dealing the other day. They have 93 00:06:00,279 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 1: these guys that can kind of do both. Boy tie 94 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: on their their flyball show to their their flyball guys. Uh. 95 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: But rely on your defense, maybe rely on Wrigley Field 96 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:17,359 Speaker 1: sometimes too, uh and and just trust that the wind 97 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,440 Speaker 1: will take care of you and and attack hitters. I 98 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:22,560 Speaker 1: think early on we saw some of that too. 99 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:28,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, we got one turn through the rotation plus and 100 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:33,039 Speaker 2: I think it's hard to see this season like bottoming 101 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 2: out if this, if they get something resembling this for 102 00:06:37,320 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 2: most of the season. I mean, Kate Horton and Cabrera 103 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 2: looked like the real deal, Like they're, you know, as 104 00:06:43,800 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 2: good as the hype Shoda, like you said, one pitch 105 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 2: away from you know, a nice outing and everyone saying, 106 00:06:51,120 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 2: you know, Showda's back. You know, Tyn proving that spring 107 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 2: training stats don't matter. You see how they're incorporating Colin 108 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:09,160 Speaker 2: Ray and Ben Brown. If you get Justin Steele off 109 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:15,240 Speaker 2: the sixty day ile, assuming Javier Asad just continues to 110 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 2: be stretched out at Iowa, if Jackson Wiggins takes that 111 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 2: next step in development, you're looking at sort of ten 112 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:26,360 Speaker 2: major league caliber starting pitchers potentially. Now, a lot will 113 00:07:26,360 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 2: happen between now and then, but when you have that 114 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:36,880 Speaker 2: sort of volume of potential starters, like your season is 115 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 2: going to stay on track. And that's why I think 116 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 2: in April you're looking at, you know, who can stay healthy? 117 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 2: How are they piecing this together? And you know, thus 118 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:50,119 Speaker 2: far they're on the right track. 119 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, we'll see where it heads. And obviously don't want 120 00:07:56,160 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 1: to take too much away. It's just a weird first 121 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: six games as well, just whether wise. I think there 122 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: was one nice day, one really nice day. I think 123 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 1: it was Sunday. I could be wrong, Maybe it was Saturday. No, 124 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 1: it was Monday, whatever, it doesn't matter. I'm losing track of. 125 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 2: Monday night was amazing, Wednesday afternoon was brutal. 126 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: Yes, very very wriggly. 127 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 2: It was a very wriggly experience overall. 128 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, Like we've had just days like that already at 129 00:08:27,320 --> 00:08:30,720 Speaker 1: Wrigley Field, where you show up and it's one type 130 00:08:30,760 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 1: of day and by the time it's first pitch, it's another. Uh. 131 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 1: That's that's life in Chicago, that's life in the Midwest. 132 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 1: So it can't really complain about it. Just have to 133 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:42,959 Speaker 1: work around it and see see how they I mean, 134 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 1: that's part of what Craig Council has preached since, uh, 135 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 1: since the start of last season. I think his first 136 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: year he was kind of a little surprised at how 137 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 1: drastic the weather patterns, the weather pattern changes are in 138 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 1: this city. But it's it's just reality, and you can't 139 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:00,920 Speaker 1: really there's no uh, there's no like, oh no, what 140 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,200 Speaker 1: do you do about it? You just play? You play 141 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 1: and get you accept that this is your reality, embrace 142 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 1: it and move on. Let's take a quick break. I 143 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: want to talk a little bit about the right field situation, 144 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 1: and we can also talk about some like mini trends 145 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: that I'm seeing. AJ. 146 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 3: This episode is brought to you by our friends at 147 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 3: Fox one. Fox one is where you can watch AJ 148 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,960 Speaker 3: Pierzinski and I get this email every week now AJ 149 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 3: that says what to watch this week on Fox One. 150 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:30,719 Speaker 3: They give you the weekly watch list, and now that 151 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 3: is going to be full of Saturday MLB games with 152 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 3: a little bit of you, a little bit of Ken 153 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 3: Rosenthal and your friends. 154 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 4: Absolutely that starts next Saturday, Skuy. 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We have Seya 163 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:13,079 Speaker 1: Suzuki on the injured list, headed out for rehab assignment 164 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:18,040 Speaker 1: and Matt Shaw, I mean Matt Shaw had some interesting 165 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:22,800 Speaker 1: plays in the spring training had a rough one. I 166 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 1: believe that was Tuesday night, and I think it kind 167 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,440 Speaker 1: of if I'm remembering correctly, that's the one that led 168 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 1: to the rally for the Angels, and the only runs 169 00:10:31,559 --> 00:10:34,400 Speaker 1: of the game kind of set them up for their 170 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 1: scoring situation. I don't even know. I don't know if 171 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 1: you guys had a chance to talk to him. I 172 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 1: don't know what happened on that play, Like watching it, 173 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: I can't tell, Like it was a bad route, and 174 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: then it's like did he lose it in the lights? 175 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 1: Did he just? Was he deaking the guy? Is that 176 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: why he has had his glove up? Like there was 177 00:10:53,559 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 1: a lot going on there where. I'm like, I don't 178 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,439 Speaker 1: know him his play well enough in right field yet 179 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 1: to know what's what that was. It wasn't pretty. It's 180 00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:07,120 Speaker 1: also windy, like we just talked about weird at Wrigley. Uh, 181 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: but they're throwing him out there pretty much daily in 182 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 1: right field, and I don't know if it's if it's 183 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:16,680 Speaker 1: working yet or not. 184 00:11:17,320 --> 00:11:17,520 Speaker 4: Uh. 185 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:19,679 Speaker 1: They seem to be willing to embrace it because they 186 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 1: know what he can do in his upside, so they're 187 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: they're trying to give him a shot there. Oh sorry, 188 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:30,280 Speaker 1: I have you muted? Restart there, Go ahead. 189 00:11:32,320 --> 00:11:35,840 Speaker 2: It'll be interesting to see how this unfolds. This month 190 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:41,480 Speaker 2: of Seya Suzuki on Friday is scheduled to be there 191 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:47,560 Speaker 2: for double A Knoxville's season opener. Craig Council said it 192 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:52,319 Speaker 2: could be in the range of three to seven days, 193 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 2: which would put him maybe you'll see him in Tampa, 194 00:11:57,320 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 2: sad and maybe they push it back back to the 195 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 2: following weekend, our next weekend at Wrigley Field. We just 196 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:08,719 Speaker 2: don't know yet. It's going to be kind of up 197 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,960 Speaker 2: to say. I mean, technically he could have been already. 198 00:12:11,960 --> 00:12:15,320 Speaker 2: He's already eligible to come off the injured list, and 199 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:19,719 Speaker 2: you know, say say it was not exactly like a 200 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,960 Speaker 2: gold Glove defender out in right field. He had those 201 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:28,840 Speaker 2: weird misses kind of on routine drops, but otherwise, you know, 202 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:31,199 Speaker 2: he came out of Japan with a pretty good reputation 203 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 2: for being a defender. And maybe we didn't see it 204 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:40,679 Speaker 2: all the time, but you know, the potential was there, 205 00:12:40,840 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 2: and you know clearly he's more experienced than matt Shaw. 206 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:46,720 Speaker 2: And I think this'd be an interesting one of like, 207 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:51,440 Speaker 2: I get it. I have no doubt that after seeing 208 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 2: what matt Shaw did in third base, I think if 209 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 2: you give him the time out there, he could be 210 00:12:54,640 --> 00:13:01,360 Speaker 2: a capable defender. He's probably already passable. He's athletic, and 211 00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 2: he has a type of work ethic. It's just that 212 00:13:05,360 --> 00:13:08,319 Speaker 2: this isn't a rebuilding team that's kind of holding auditions 213 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:11,120 Speaker 2: and letting you learn on the job to that extent, 214 00:13:11,520 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 2: Like obviously Craig Counsel is very patient and Jed Hoyer's 215 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,559 Speaker 2: front office believes in young talent. They believe in Matt Shaw. 216 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 2: But there's gonna be some some awkwardness out there, and 217 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:26,080 Speaker 2: I don't you know, the Cubs certainly have a lot 218 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 2: of confidence in Shaw. They knew going in that Wrigley 219 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 2: in late March early April is a tough place to 220 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:40,839 Speaker 2: play defense and right field just a lot of conditions 221 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 2: and unpredictable elements going on. So I don't can he 222 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 2: seize this job and answer all of the questions? Like 223 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:56,320 Speaker 2: probably not, but I think getting say a back will 224 00:13:56,320 --> 00:14:02,240 Speaker 2: be big for this lineup. And then you know, we're 225 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 2: we look at those corner outfield spots really kind of 226 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 2: question marks beyond this season with Saya and any and 227 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:16,600 Speaker 2: Half both schedules become free agents, and so that's kind 228 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 2: of a spot. This infield is set through what like 229 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 2: twenty twenty nine, maybe yeah, with guys signed through twenty 230 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 2: thirty two. Same with Peter Armstrong. He is going to 231 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 2: be the everyday center fielder until at least the end 232 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 2: of twenty thirty two, you know, assuming he stays healthy. So, like, 233 00:14:34,360 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 2: right field is just kind of one of those, you know, 234 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 2: question mark spots. And even that's like kind of relative, 235 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 2: you know, like you know, most teams would like to 236 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 2: have the Cubs kind of continuity and stability within their lineup, 237 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 2: but you know that's the one position that is kind 238 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:54,120 Speaker 2: of unresolved. 239 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, there's a you know, I do find it interesting 240 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: that they just have thrown him out there without hesitation 241 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:05,080 Speaker 1: for the most part. I think he's of the six games, 242 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 1: he's gotten five starts, maybe four in right field. Uh, 243 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 1: he's he's playing there regularly with with sayah hurt in 244 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:18,640 Speaker 1: these conditions. That's that's putting a lot of trust in him, 245 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 1: And that's that's putting that's that's saying, Hey, we we 246 00:15:22,960 --> 00:15:26,720 Speaker 1: trust A that this won't hurt us too badly, and 247 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: and B like we need him to learn, like these 248 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 1: are the conditions he needs to learn. And frankly like, yeah, 249 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:36,040 Speaker 1: have him experience the worst conditions of Wrigley. Uh, it 250 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 1: is it's hard to play right field there. The the 251 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 1: sun can be odd, the wind of course is always difficult. 252 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:48,560 Speaker 1: It's a it's a tight corner there with little foul 253 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,720 Speaker 1: territory to work with, uh in a you know a 254 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 1: padded wall, uh that you're running into, so it and 255 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: then of course the ivy and the brick wall behind it. 256 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: So there's there's a lot to deal with in Wrigley 257 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 1: and right field. It's not easy for Matt Shaw. I 258 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: do wonder what they see for the future there because 259 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 1: are they trying to kind of see what they have 260 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 1: for him in a corner outfield spot, because you're right, 261 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 1: they do have two openings there that's like the only 262 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 1: places people can play. He's not converting the catcher, so 263 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: so like that this this team's kind of locked in 264 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 1: in the infield, so he's got to figure something out 265 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 1: if he has a real everyday future with this team. 266 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: I don't think it's been a disaster. I think you 267 00:16:39,840 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 1: want to say it's a zuki back for multiple reasons, 268 00:16:42,640 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: and that's one of them. You just want some stability there. 269 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: But he's an impactful player on offense too, So yeah, 270 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,720 Speaker 1: I'm curious to see what if this is an experiment 271 00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,320 Speaker 1: or it's just like no, this is this is his future. 272 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, he's made for starts and five appearances in right 273 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 2: field out of the six games thus far. And the 274 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:12,920 Speaker 2: council alluded to this during on Wednesday, just how as 275 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:15,680 Speaker 2: a manager kind of the tougher parts at the beginning 276 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 2: this season is like figuring out the personnel and like 277 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:22,840 Speaker 2: giving some of your bench guys opportunities. And obviously this 278 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:31,399 Speaker 2: is a team that's not super platoon reliant, he said, Shaw. 279 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:37,040 Speaker 2: You know, I'm mixing up. I forget which day he 280 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 2: said this, but you know, he just alluded to, you know, 281 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:42,480 Speaker 2: Shaw is just gonna have to be ready to play 282 00:17:42,520 --> 00:17:47,199 Speaker 2: right field, to play for space, to fill in on 283 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:51,800 Speaker 2: the infield. And I'm assuming eventually injuries will happen and 284 00:17:51,920 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 2: some of this self, some of this stuff will sort 285 00:17:54,119 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 2: it itself out. But I'm with you. I thought, I'm 286 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:05,920 Speaker 2: just curious kind of Confordo and Carlson, know, how exactly 287 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:08,880 Speaker 2: are they going to fit in here? And obviously they're 288 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:13,240 Speaker 2: you know, you saw Miguel Amaya at DH. You buy 289 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:16,160 Speaker 2: a steris at DH. So like it's even in those 290 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:20,920 Speaker 2: spots where maybe you could give Confordo a shot and 291 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:25,120 Speaker 2: you know they I don't know. I'm kind of kind 292 00:18:25,119 --> 00:18:26,840 Speaker 2: of rambling here because we just haven't seen a lot. 293 00:18:26,880 --> 00:18:29,439 Speaker 2: I know, people like, what what are these guys doing here? 294 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,159 Speaker 2: But you know, something could happen this weekend and all 295 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 2: of a sudden that becomes very apparent. 296 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:36,080 Speaker 1: But right now he has. 297 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:39,080 Speaker 2: Been kind of a Matt Mattshaw's guy's gotten the runway. 298 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 1: I struggle. I hate taking too much away from the beginning, 299 00:18:43,640 --> 00:18:46,119 Speaker 1: but Confordo's at baths just haven't been good. I feel 300 00:18:46,119 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 1: like he started own two. Like every single at bats, 301 00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: it's like he's He's suddenly Ozero and two. And I 302 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:56,359 Speaker 1: don't know how many strikeouts he has, but there's a 303 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: solid amount at least three that I can think of 304 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:03,439 Speaker 1: off the top of my head. He he hasn't had 305 00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 1: a good start to the season. I don't think Dylan 306 00:19:05,080 --> 00:19:08,800 Speaker 1: Carlson has gotten into a game yet, pretty sure he hasn't. 307 00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:11,879 Speaker 1: Scott Kingaree did as a pinch hitter. Like these guys 308 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 1: are bench players, but Conforto's kind of expected to be 309 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 1: the first one off the bench. His struggles early on. 310 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:22,640 Speaker 1: Probably don't want to take too much away from it. 311 00:19:22,680 --> 00:19:27,119 Speaker 2: Looks like you have mean five strikeouts in seven plate appearances. 312 00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:29,439 Speaker 1: Yeah, so I mean that's not that he's in a 313 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,240 Speaker 1: tough spot. Yeah yeah, that's just a bad way to 314 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:36,879 Speaker 1: start when you are fighting for playing time. That's like, 315 00:19:36,960 --> 00:19:38,879 Speaker 1: that's the last thing you want to do, like not 316 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 1: even putting the ball in play for someone who we 317 00:19:41,600 --> 00:19:48,159 Speaker 1: know historically, especially recently, his problem has been like the 318 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:50,720 Speaker 1: ball isn't falling, Like he's been hitting the ball hard 319 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 1: and he hasn't been getting results and now he's not 320 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 1: making contact or he's I don't even know how much 321 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:57,359 Speaker 1: swing and missing there. I think there's been some takes. 322 00:19:57,400 --> 00:20:00,119 Speaker 1: It doesn't matter, like the results are not there at 323 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:05,000 Speaker 1: all right now. So some quick things I just wanted 324 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,640 Speaker 1: to touch on because the offense I think they got 325 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: shut out on Tuesday. Other than that, I feel like 326 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:16,399 Speaker 1: the offense has looked great. Uh and and like I 327 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:20,920 Speaker 1: don't even think it's fully like there yet. Pete hasn't 328 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:24,440 Speaker 1: hit for any power. And these are just some little 329 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:26,879 Speaker 1: things that have noticed Pet's Pete's bats beeed. You know, 330 00:20:27,040 --> 00:20:29,119 Speaker 1: Sarah's pointed this out. I saw a tweet about it, 331 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,560 Speaker 1: and then Eno wrote about it. I'm gonna try and 332 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,399 Speaker 1: ask Pete about it. But his his bat speed is 333 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:37,720 Speaker 1: up like two and a half. I think it's measured 334 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:42,080 Speaker 1: in miles per hour. And and that I talked to 335 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:47,119 Speaker 1: someone briefly the other day during batting practice, like when, like, 336 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: how how quickly can we take that as real? They're 337 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:56,360 Speaker 1: like maybe three series, maybe less, but they do go 338 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: in trends. It can waiver over the course of the season. 339 00:20:59,080 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: But that's that's a big deal. That that adds a 340 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:05,879 Speaker 1: lot of distance. This is a guy that hit you know, 341 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 1: thirty one homers last year. If he can add to that, 342 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:13,119 Speaker 1: I mean, we know what he can do, we know 343 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,400 Speaker 1: what he's capable of. Just a little small trend, that's interesting. 344 00:21:19,560 --> 00:21:23,119 Speaker 1: Nico Horner has three doubles, don't really see him getting 345 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:26,359 Speaker 1: a lot of extra base hits. That's a nice trend. 346 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 1: And like the biggest one for me is that Bregman's 347 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: not getting as many results just yet. But he looks 348 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:37,639 Speaker 1: so good at the plate, Like we knew, he doesn't chase, 349 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:41,719 Speaker 1: he doesn't like do anything silly up there. He's incredibly 350 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,199 Speaker 1: patient and knows what to swing at. But he's not 351 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: getting any luck and he's just hitting line drive after 352 00:21:47,119 --> 00:21:51,399 Speaker 1: line drive. Those are three things that have kind of 353 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 1: stood out to me that I'm going to be watching 354 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,880 Speaker 1: going forward because I think Bregman's having a really good 355 00:21:56,880 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 1: start without the pure results just yet. I think he's 356 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 1: got a couple overs and like, I don't think his 357 00:22:02,160 --> 00:22:05,080 Speaker 1: numbers are bad, it's just I think they should be 358 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:05,679 Speaker 1: even better. 359 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:09,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, he hasn't looked great on defense, but 360 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:12,760 Speaker 2: I'm sure, yeah, yeah, that'll be even out. But no, 361 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:16,120 Speaker 2: I think going into this season, I think we're both 362 00:22:16,119 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 2: pretty optimistic of like how do you replace Kyle Tucker? 363 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:26,440 Speaker 2: And we understood the reasoning behind why they brought in Bregman, 364 00:22:26,560 --> 00:22:29,919 Speaker 2: a you know, free agent they had coveted for a 365 00:22:30,000 --> 00:22:36,880 Speaker 2: long time. And I think you see Nico's value really popping, 366 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 2: like why they fell in love with this player kind 367 00:22:41,800 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 2: of what he brings, the different dimensions he creates for 368 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 2: this offense pretty deep. I mean, we'll see how Biasteros 369 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:57,600 Speaker 2: and Shaw kind of continue to develop over the course 370 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 2: of this season. But we have like two catchers who 371 00:23:02,680 --> 00:23:06,679 Speaker 2: you you know, trust as two way players. It's pretty 372 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:13,359 Speaker 2: uh impressive, and I just think there is enough, they 373 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:15,800 Speaker 2: have enough answers. I think that yeah, that will show 374 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:17,040 Speaker 2: up board the course of the year. I mean he 375 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 2: Ian happened a contract year, you know, putting some home runs. 376 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 2: He's looks on the board early like that. I think 377 00:23:23,800 --> 00:23:30,080 Speaker 2: that that matters. Get say back in the mix as well. 378 00:23:30,400 --> 00:23:34,560 Speaker 2: And yeah, I mean, for as unpredictable as Rigly is, 379 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 2: I thought the offense you know, showed up for for 380 00:23:37,320 --> 00:23:41,640 Speaker 2: the most part. Uh, admittedly against two bad teams. 381 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely, Uh they do have some decent pitching. Jake Irvin, 382 00:23:47,960 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 1: who's one of those guys that just like had like 383 00:23:50,119 --> 00:23:54,160 Speaker 1: a complete like change in arsenal and stuff. Who knows 384 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:56,840 Speaker 1: if that's real, but he looked really good against the Cubs. 385 00:23:56,880 --> 00:24:01,439 Speaker 1: And then uh, I think the Jose Soriano is a 386 00:24:01,480 --> 00:24:03,200 Speaker 1: solid picture as well. I like him. 387 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 2: Uh. Well, it's not going to be easy the rest 388 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:14,600 Speaker 2: of this month when you love the pitching, I mean Cleveland, Tampa, Pittsburgh, Phillies, Mets, Phillies, Dodgers, Padres. 389 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:17,880 Speaker 2: Like that's yeah, we'll see maybe the tone of our 390 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:20,520 Speaker 2: show will we will ship by the end of April. 391 00:24:20,520 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 1: But yeaheah. One small other thing that I you mentioned 392 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: the catchers. I was like, I have been hesitant about 393 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,280 Speaker 1: Carson Kelly just because he had such a good start 394 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:34,040 Speaker 1: to last year. He looks good. I'm like, I feel 395 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:37,440 Speaker 1: like cautiously optimistic. That's like, oh okay, I'm not saying 396 00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:41,439 Speaker 1: repeat of April last year, but he looks like like 397 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 1: this looks like keep these guys healthy because that's a 398 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:47,240 Speaker 1: really nice catching dude. Like you said, like they can 399 00:24:47,280 --> 00:24:50,360 Speaker 1: do both both sides of the ball really well, that's important. 400 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:53,680 Speaker 1: All right, let's wrap this up. We'll have a let's 401 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 1: try and get some mailbag questions in for h for 402 00:24:56,800 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 1: another episode and get you guys interacting with us after 403 00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:02,720 Speaker 1: the start of the season. Thanks so much for listening 404 00:25:02,720 --> 00:25:05,439 Speaker 1: to everyone. Make sure to rate, review, subscribe, subscribe to 405 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:08,280 Speaker 1: the YouTube channel, and subscribe to The Athletic where Patrick 406 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:10,600 Speaker 1: and I are on top of all things Cubs. Thanks everyone, 407 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:11,040 Speaker 1: Take care.