Bleed Cubbie Blue - Cubs vs. Royals Wednesday game threadsA Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png2020-02-26T17:55:02-06:00http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/stream/209164682020-02-26T17:55:02-06:002020-02-26T17:55:02-06:00Cubs 8, Royals 0: Now that’s more like it
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<figcaption>Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Sunshine and guys getting good spring work in. What could be better?</p> <p id="lVD55B"><strong>MESA, Arizona</strong> — Tuesday afternoon’s <a href="http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2020_02_26_kcamlb_chnmlb_2">8-0 Cubs win over the Royals</a> had everything the Cubs fan could want:</p>
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<li id="A4KPM7">Brilliant sunshine and comfortable temperatures at Sloan Park, and less wind than Tuesday</li>
<li id="j3JfEQ">
<span>Kyle Hendricks</span> putting together a solid first outing</li>
<li id="ZINbbK">
<span>Javier Baez</span> homering</li>
</ul>
<p id="nqzops">Sure, you could ASK for more, but for Spring Training Game Number 5 of 2020, that’s pretty close to perfection.</p>
<p id="gHydRK">Hendricks gave up a leadoff single and then retired the next six hitters to complete his two-inning, 33-pitch appearance. <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-02/26/717f1208-593605fd-6e0b38b2-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Here’s Kyle on his outing [VIDEO].</a></p>
<div id="KsPoSv"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-02/26/717f1208-593605fd-6e0b38b2-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="TPFmw7">I concur with Kyle — “mid-season form” is kind of a truism at this stage of spring training, but he really did look like any good Kyle outing in the middle of June.</p>
<p id="8dhgXr">The Cubs loaded the bases in the second but could not score. But with two out in the third, <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-02/26/6e14c9f8-2401d57e-73bf55a9-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">Javy put the Cubs ahead [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="rF6Frj"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-02/26/6e14c9f8-2401d57e-73bf55a9-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
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<p id="LTyC3s">That was his first of the spring and the team’s seventh.</p>
<p id="2J7q6C">Three more Cubs runs came across on the fourth, one of them on <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-02/26/e71aec8d-fb07880b-2b458e2a-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">this RBI single by Jason Kipnis [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
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<p id="ys0I7a">Kipnis also doubled in this game and made every play that went his way in the field. He looks just as good as he did in his good years in Cleveland. This could be Theo Epstein’s best signing of the offseason.</p>
<p id="4pOcGG"><span>Alec Mills</span> relieved Hendricks and also had two shutout innings. He allowed a walk and a stolen base to the first hitter he faced, but otherwise looked solid. So did the rest of the Cubs relievers Tuesday, who included <span>Kyle Ryan</span>, <span>Jharel Cotton</span>, <span>Trevor Megill</span>, <span>Ben Taylor</span> and Oscar De La Cruz. The seven Cubs hurlers combined on a five-hit shutout, striking out 12 Royals.</p>
<p id="F0rFI6">Don’t get too excited. This was a Royals split squad and I think I recognized one name in their lineup (<span>Hunter Dozier</span>).</p>
<p id="M9kAkW">Cubs minor leaguers put together a four-run rally off <span>Jesse Hahn</span>, who is trying to come back after having had elbow surgery in August 2018. This outing wasn’t very good for him. But it gave the Cubs a total of 30 runs in their last three games. And it hasn’t even really warmed up in the Phoenix area for a game yet.</p>
<p id="GPzWwC">Other news: <span>Albert Almora Jr.</span> was 1-for-3 in this game. Those were the first outs he made this spring. He’s 5-for-7 with a double, a home run, five runs scored and five RBI. Yes, that’s an extremely small sample size. Still, Almora has looked very good so far this spring. That’s an excellent sign, I think.</p>
<p id="BTQccg">Here is the extended netting on the left-field side at Sloan Park, which goes to the end of the seating area (so ends before the bullpen begins):</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oju8V9GpOhAPjxEMZ3riAzcBNO0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19749516/20200225_120141.jpg">
<cite>Al Yellon</cite>
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<p id="NBXo3u">I am showing you this not only to show you how it works (at least in Mesa), but also I learned today that the outfield-side netting (where all the people are standing) can be raised so that fans can get pre-game autographs, then lowered for the game (or vice versa, not certain exactly how it works). A similar system will likely be in place at Wrigley Field.</p>
<p id="6smjnt">Attendance watch: A slightly smaller crowd than Tuesday, 9,336, attended this game. While the game-time temperature (60) was lower than Tuesday’s 67, it was much less windy, so more comfortable for most. That makes the season total for three dates 30,970, or 10,323 per date.</p>
<p id="xdwyDO">The Cubs will travel to Surprise to face the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> Thursday afternoon. <span>Colin Rea</span> will start for the Cubs and <span>Tyler Phillips</span> will go for Texas. Game time is again 2:05 p.m. CT. TV coverage is on the Marquee Network and there will be an audio webcast via the Rangers site with their announcers.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/2/26/21155243/cubs-royals-recap-kyle-hendricks-javier-baez-mlb-scoresAl Yellon2020-02-26T15:30:00-06:002020-02-26T15:30:00-06:00Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Royals, Wednesday 2/26, 2:05 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DFjWx131xlETxoVMHrfbrOYLny4=/317x406:2891x2122/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66380443/usa_today_14096271.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="LLbdJA">——</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/2/26/21152426/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-royals-wednesday-2-26-2-05-ctAl Yellon2020-02-26T14:00:00-06:002020-02-26T14:00:00-06:00First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Royals, Wednesday 2/26, 2:05 CT
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<figcaption>Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="LLbdJA">Go get ‘em, Kyle.</p>
https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/2/26/21152424/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-royals-wednesday-2-26-2-05-ctAl Yellon2020-02-26T12:00:00-06:002020-02-26T12:00:00-06:00Cubs vs. Royals at Mesa preview, Wednesday 2/26, 2:05 CT
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HS0tINgCXOCp_rX8abYRLjRO5qw=/0x0:4957x3305/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66378916/usa_today_14096249.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cubs have another home game this afternoon.</p> <p id="tB28rM"><strong>MESA, Arizona</strong> — Cubs manager <span>David Ross</span> missed the first few games of spring training with the flu. A much bigger deal was made out of this than was necessary, <a href="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-02/25/eae4163b-988dd158-4a7b9bcf-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4">but here’s Ross talking about his return [VIDEO]</a>.</p>
<div id="uNrmWj"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><video controls="" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;">Your browser does not support HTML5 video.<source src="https://cuts.diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-02/25/eae4163b-988dd158-4a7b9bcf-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4" type="video/mp4"></source></video></div></div>
<p id="PSj5IC"><span>Jose Quintana</span> has also been <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-david-ross-20200225-2kev3675gbg3zdve5q25uir654-story.html#nt=oft-Double%20Chain~Flex%20Feature~sports-top-curated-stories~sports-story-2~~1~yes-art~curated~curatedpage">dealing with the flu</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="6mDTvZ">Left-hander Jose Quintana also returned after missing a few days because of flu-like symptoms. Quintana went through a light workout with the possibility of throwing live batting practice by the end of the week.</p>
<p id="zCsJGd">Quintana was scheduled to throw live BP before falling ill Sunday.</p>
<p id="hCpULg">In other news regarding pitchers, left-handed reliever <span>Brad Wieck</span> received an excused absence and could rejoin the team by the end of the week. <span>Colin Rea</span> will start Thursday against the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> in Surprise, and <span>Tyler Chatwood</span> will face the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> Friday night in Peoria.</p>
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<p id="6UaMl8">Since <span>Yu Darvish</span> threw live BP Monday, that should put him on target to start Saturday against the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> at Sloan Park.</p>
<p id="S0cBrl">Here are today’s particulars.</p>
<p id="NJYOeJ"><a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> lineup:</p>
<blockquote><p id="WSwtMA">Bryant 3B, Rizzo 1B, Baez SS, Heyward RF, Caratini C, Souza LF, Almora CF, Kipnis DH, Hoerner 2B</p></blockquote>
<p id="JkRUoS"><a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> lineup:</p>
<blockquote><p id="0X2mKQ">Lopez SS, Lee LF, Dozier RF, O’Hearn DH, Gutierrez 3B, Reynolds 2B, Gallagher C, Phillips CF, Cancel 1B</p></blockquote>
<p id="8KZRJt">The Royals are a split squad today, so expect to see a lot of guys you don’t recognize.</p>
<p id="oNAC0e"><span>Kyle Hendricks</span> will start for the Cubs. Cubs relievers today: <span>Alec Mills</span>, <span>Jharel Cotton</span>, <span>Kyle Ryan</span>, <span>Trevor Megill</span>, <span>Ben Taylor</span> and Oscar De La Cruz.</p>
<p id="UHKtes">Brady Singer gets the call for the Royals. Other KC pitchers today: <span>Scott Barlow</span>, <span>Tim Hill</span>, <span>Josh Staumont</span>, <span>Andres Machado</span>, <span>Gabe Speier</span>, Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch, Tyler Zuber and Kris Bubic.</p>
<p id="MpeTDz">Also of interest (time listed is Eastern):</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Umpires for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Royals</a> (2-2) at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cubs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cubs</a> (2-2):<br>HP: Sean Barber<br>1B: Bill Miller<br>2B: Doug Eddings<br>3B: Ryan Blakney. <br><br>First Pitch: 3:05 pm<br>Venue: Sloan Park</p>— Umpire Crew (@UmpCrew) <a href="https://twitter.com/UmpCrew/status/1232676275698966530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="fSogyZ">Today’s game is on the Marquee Network. <a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/">Here is a complete channel guide</a> for all the providers currently signed up with Marquee. <em>Note that it is possible some of these channels might not be up and running right away.</em> This is new to all of us and I would anticipate glitches. Hopefully it all gets squared away by Opening Day, including a Marquee deal with Comcast.</p>
<p id="RjnOWh">There is no radio broadcast or online audiocast of today’s game. If you do not have access to Marquee, you will have to follow along via <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2020_02_26_kcamlb_chnmlb_2">MLB.com Gameday</a></p>
<p id="OISCKL"><em>Please note that during spring training, Gameday doesn’t usually go pitch-by-pitch as it does during the regular season — usually, it will update after each at-bat.</em></p>
<p id="MUK4nn"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/2020/02/26">Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.</a></p>
<p id="nvoKBS">Please visit our SB Nation Royals site <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals Review</a>. If you do go there to interact with Royals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.</p>
<p id="S6oxx0">For spring-training games, we’ll have a first-pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time (because I know how you all like overflow threads!). For today, that will be 2 p.m. CT and 3:30 p.m. CT.</p>
<p id="1zlN3d">These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher boxes and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.</p>
<p id="9g9Jqo">Discuss amongst yourselves.</p>
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https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2020/2/26/21152418/cubs-royals-mesa-preview-wednesdayAl Yellon