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Cubs News: 3 standout performances from Opening Day

By Jake Misener |
Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers v Chicago Cubs / Michael Reaves/GettyImages
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One game does not a season make but, boy, it always feels good to go out there and get that first win out of the way on Opening Day. That's exactly what the Chicago Cubs did on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field, taking down the division rival Milwaukee Brewers by a 4-0 final.

In a brisk 2 hour and 21 minute contest, David Ross' club took care of business in front of a paid crowd of just north of 36,000 Wrigley faithful. Strong pitching, timely hitting and a big-time performance from the new face of the franchise, Dansby Swanson, all came together perfectly in the season-opening victory.

3 Cubs standout performances from Opening Day: #3 - Dansby Swanson shines in his Wrigley Field debut

After a tough spring where he mustered just a .587 OPS, it was great to see Dansby Swanson come out swinging on Thursday. He alone accounted for half of the Cubs' hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run and also teamed up with Nico Hoerner on a nice double play, as well.

For Chicago to make some noise this year, Swanson is going to have to live up to the hype - and his seven-year, $177 million contract, the second-richest deal in franchise history. You know you're going to get elite defense from the veteran no matter what, but he'll need to do exactly what we saw against Milwaukee - do damage with the stick - for the Cubs to take that next step.

3 Cubs standout performances from Opening Day: #2 - Marcus Stroman tosses six scoreless innings

In my piece offering up some 'wildly optimistic' Cubs Opening Day predictions, I bet on Marcus Stroman outdueling Brewers ace Corbin Burnes - and that's exactly what he did.

The right-hander turned in six scoreless frames, tying his season-high strikeout mark from 2022, punching out eight Brewers hitters and allowing just a trio of base hits. He worked himself out of a big-time jam in the middle innings before turning things over to the bullpen, which was equally impressive (more on that in a moment).

Great tone-setter for us. I love when he takes the mound, just because he's got some arrogance, swag and a good way about him. That was nice to have out there on Opening Day.
David Ross, via MLB.com

The addition of Jameson Taillon should solidify the Cubs starting rotation in a big way, but Stroman showed in the second half last year he's more than capable of putting the staff on his back. Seeing him locked in and sharp this early in the season certainly bodes well for what's to come.

3 Cubs standout performances from Opening Day: #1 - The bullpen slams the door late

One of the bigger questions facing the Chicago Cubs in 2023 is the bullpen which features a mix of younger, higher upside arms and proven veterans. Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer, the club's two big offseason additions in the pen, shut things down in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively - in a prelude to what may be a regular occurence this year.

Ross hasn't gone out and tapped one particular guy to get the ninth-inning role; something that hasn't been uncommon for the Cubs in recent years. But it's a safe bet that those two guys are at the top of the pecking order - and they showed why on Thursday.

After much debate over whether or not he'd even make the Opening Day roster, right-hander Keegan Thompson fired off a scoreless frame in relief of Stroman, hitting 95 MPH on the Wrigley Field gun, while walking one and striking out one.

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All told, it was an efficient, cleanly played game for the North Siders, who get a day off Friday (which is good given the potential for severe weather in the region) before getting back after it on Saturday afternoon. Left-hander Justin Steele will take the ball for the Cubs opposite Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff.

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