Back to Wrigley: What to watch with the Chicago Cubs this weekend

Chicago Cubs: Getting familiar with a rotating cast of new characters

Something unique with the season we are seeing from the Cubs is all of the new faces we are seeing suit up in the Cubbie blue. This is something we are not yet used to after almost seven full years of the same core in the same lineup consistently.

Of course, you have the guys you are used to seeing – like Ian Happ, Jason Heyward, David Bote, and Patrick Wisdom. “The new core,” if you will (hopefully temporary). We won’t see Willson Contreras as he is still on the IL. But we are also getting a look at some new pieces that are becoming regulars as of recently, like Frank Schwindel, Codi Heuer and Rafael Ortega.

David Ross and the rest of upper management have been very busy on the call-ups and send downs, ever designations and releases. Keeping up to date with the current Cubs’ roster is almost a chore of its own, as it seems the team is making moves two to three times a week, like you would on your fantasy team.

What we’re basically watching is an extended spring training – lots of guys getting lots of chances to show they can play. It’s a split squad, but there’s only one game a day.

Could this be beneficial? Sure. Nobody really pays attention to the wins and losses in spring training. What teams want to see is player development and tendencies real game situations. Surly the Cubs will continue to not win a lot of games like this, and that is fine IF the coaches and management are getting the information they need to make this team competitive again soon. Expect to continue to see a lot of change to the lineups day-to-day.