Rollin’ It, Cubs vs Mariners

Hope you had a chance to catch the Cubs on ESPN yesterday!

After three spring games (the last two at Sloan Park), the Cubs are undefeated, 2-0-1.  Of course spring training wins and loses (and ties) mean nothing. Which is even more true with the new spring rules that are in effect until March 13, whereby teams can shorten a game to 7 innings and stop innings early. Due to COVID-19 protocols designed to keep players healthy, Cactus League teams have the ability to “roll over an inning” (effectively ending it) after a pitcher has thrown 20 pitches. Which is a bone of contention with some fans and happened 4 times yesterday.

Even though I’m the Public Address Announcer, I’m also a fan. I get excited seeing bases loaded, no outs…thinking, big Cubs inning here! Right? Well maybe. In this instance yesterday, in the bottom of the 6th a run was walked in, still no outs, but the team just walked off the field into the dugout – end of inning.  It’s weird to see. I understand the reasoning, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

What I do like is Joc Pederson, Anthony Rizzo, and Michael Hermosillo hitting HR’s for the Cubs!  Rizzo’s was an epic towering moon shot to right field in the 4th inning of this 9 inning game that finished in an 8-8 tie.

John got some great photos yesterday. Enjoy!