Chicago Cubs: Offense and pitching progress as Szczur, Cubs beat Rockies

The pieces are starting to fall into place for the Chicago Cubs. Szczur and the offense lift Hendricks and the bullpen to a 9-6 win over the Rockies.

The formula is simple. Consistent pitching plus solid defense and run support lead to victories. As teams get closer to opening day, getting the team in rhythm is crucial. It becomes about the main players on the 25-man roster. And filling out the 40-man roster with capable players. With that in mind, Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Maddon is allowing starters to play more.

And, so far, all signs are pointing in a positive trend. The offense is producing runs. The starting rotation is solid. And the bullpen is coming together. In the words of the late Dennis Green, the Cubs are looking like who we thought they were. No team will let them off the hook.

Pitching perfect

The Chicago Cubs took on the Colorado Rockies on Monday, with Kyle Hendricks making his fourth start. For the first three innings, he appeared up to his old tricks giving up two hits and striking out three. The fourth inning is when things became rough. Shortstop Trevor Story lined a double to left. Hendricks would get two outs before two singles, by Raimel Tapia and Cristhian Adames, started the scoring story for the Rockies. Another single by Dustin Garneau gave Colorado their second run of the inning.

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Hendricks pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing the two runs on six hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. Justin Grimm finished the fifth inning with a strikeout of Story. Then, the Cubs called on Wade Davis in the sixth inning. After allowing runs in his first two outings, and a walk in all three, Davis was clean. For his one inning of work, the new Cubs closer gave up a hit and struck out two Rockies.

Koji Uehara then pitched the a perfect seventh, and Alec Mills finished the game. Per the team’s standard operations this Spring, Mills let the Rockies back in the game. A wild pitch, an error, two singles, and a double plated four runs, but the Cubs still led and won the game 9-6.

Hail, Szczur!

The offense for the Chicago Cubs continued to show what it can do. That is hit and score. Right fielder Matt Szczur led the club with a 3-4 day, scoring two and knocking in two. Every Cubs starter had a hit, except for Hendricks.

The scoring for the Cubs started in the third inning. A double by Jeimer Candelario and a single from Munenori Kawasaki started the threat, and Kyle Schwarber was glad to take advantage. On an 0-2 count, Schwarber grounded a single to right, scoring Candelario. Kawasaki’s aggressive base running put him on third, letting him score on Albert Almora‘s sacrifice fly.

Szczur started his production in the fourth inning. After a single and throwing error put him in scoring position, Szczur took third on a sacrifice play by Tommy La Stella. He then scored on a fly out off the bat of Ian Happ. After the fourth, the Cubs led 3-2.

It was the eighth inning in which the offense shined, scoring six runs in two outs. Miguel Montero singled, and was lifted for pitch runner. Szczur blasted a home run to center field, giving the team a 5-2 lead. The parade of runners then followed. La Stella doubled, and Jason Vosler pitch ran for him. Vosler scored on Happ’s single. Candelario walked. As did Kawasaki. John Andreoli was hit by a pitch, and Chris Dominguez singled. The Cubs led 9-2 after the top of the eighth.

Next: Eloy Jimenez will miss three weeks with bone bruise

It is starting to look a lot like baseball season! The Chicago Cubs are starting to hit their rhythm and show why they are the team to beat in the NL Central. If this offense keeps hitting, watch out.