CUBS 9, RANGERS 0 (7)
So far, so good
No. 27 in your programs, No. 1 in your hearts?
We’re talking Zach Davies, people. In his second spring start Monday, he pitched three scoreless, hitless innings, walking one and seemingly expending less effort and energy than he did while driving to Sloan Park. That puts him at five scoreless, hitless innings as a Cub.
Not that any of those innings actually count. Still, can he just go ahead and pitch like this all the time?
Hello, Javy, and goodbye
The goal this spring is for shortstop Javy Baez to be confident and aggressive at the plate — easier said than done after his 2020 struggles — so there was a lot to be said for the three-run bomb he hit off Rangers righty Sam Gaviglio.
Such as: It was really loud — the kind of loud you don’t often hear. It went really far, clearing the center-field fence and landing halfway up the grassy hill. And confidence? Baez took his time watching it fly — let’s put it that way.
It’s getting old already
Is Nico Hoerner simply unwilling to share headlines with his teammates? Could be a developing problem after he added two more hits (one of them a ground-rule double) to raise his spring average to .692 (9-for-13).
Seriously, just hand him the keys to second base right now and call it a day.
We heard that
Infielder David Bote offered Marquee announcers an in-game comment on fans returning to Wrigley Field: “If you get a big inning going, things can unravel fast at Wrigley for an opposing pitcher . ... That place is shaking, and then it starts snowballing. It’s really fun to be in that environment. That’s going to make a big difference.”
On deck
Athletics at Cubs, 2:05 p.m. Tuesday, Mesa, Marquee, Cole Irvin vs. Trevor Williams.