Cubs: Three takeaways from this weekend’s series against the Pirates

After a lackluster showing on Opening Day, the Chicago Cubs turned it around this weekend and wound up taking two of three from the Pirates at Wrigley Field. With fans in the seats for the first time in two years, there was plenty of excitement in Wrigleyville – but we’re going to try and narrow down the biggest takeaways for you.

First and foremost, Kris Bryant looked like the player of old – not the one who was getting blown away by upper-80s fastballs last season. The Chicago third baseman went 3-for-9 in the series, including a home run and a double, also drawing a trio of walks.  He displayed an all-fields approach, too, which is a good sign.

"“They’re shifting him to the pull side on the infield,” Cubs manager David Ross told MLB.com, “and he takes that ball and laces it to right in that 3-1 count. If he’s in that spot and locked in like that, I think we’re going to see a great version of Kris Bryant this year.”"

Now, without an extension in place, the main way the former NL MVP can bring value to the Cubs at this point is by playing out of his mind early in the season, enabling the front office to trade him this summer to a team like Washington.

He certainly got off on the right foot, though, and he’ll look to maintain that momentum this week with three home games against Milwaukee before hitting the road for the first road trip of the season.