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  1. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
  2. <feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en">
  3.  <title>Bleed Cubbie Blue -  All Posts</title>
  4.  <subtitle>A Chicago Cubs Fan Community Since February 9, 2005</subtitle>
  5.  <icon>https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47557/cubbieblue.png</icon>
  6.  <updated>2025-04-04T22:07:45-05:00</updated>
  7.  <id>http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/rss/current/</id>
  8.  <link type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" rel="alternate"/>
  9.  <entry>
  10.    <published>2025-04-04T22:07:45-05:00</published>
  11.    <updated>2025-04-04T22:07:45-05:00</updated>
  12.    <title>Cubs Minor League Wrap: Opening night</title>
  13.    <content type="html">  
  14.  
  15.    &lt;figure&gt;
  16.      &lt;img alt="Syndication: Cape Cod Times" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VIRI5wTa8FJMC73PdbJUfVTwB2E=/0x0:4028x2685/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74005112/usa_today_20959038.0.jpg" /&gt;
  17.        &lt;figcaption&gt;Matt Halbach | Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times / USA TODAY NETWORK&lt;/figcaption&gt;
  18.    &lt;/figure&gt;
  19.  
  20.  &lt;p&gt;Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And sometimes it rains. Especially in Indianapolis in the summertime. OK, spring. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p id="bivFwd"&gt;Welcome to the official start of the Minor League Wrap! In case you’re new, every night I recap the top four minor league affiliates. I try to blend giving you the story of the game and getting you the stats that you want. I do write more about top prospects, but I always include good games from other players because you never know. Plus, they’re trying just as hard to be a major leaguer and they deserve credit when they do well.&lt;/p&gt;
  21. &lt;p id="d2rAEj"&gt;I’m posting much less on social media than I used to, but if you want to follow me on Bluesky at @joshftimmers.bsky.social, I’d appreciate it. I’m also at that other site because a lot of news still breaks there, but I try to post there as little as possible these days as I find that site has gone to hell under new ownership.&lt;/p&gt;
  22. &lt;p id="cUpnU5"&gt;Also, please forgive me if I slip and call Knoxville “Tennessee.” &lt;/p&gt;
  23. &lt;p id="a7OU0p"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Iowa &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cubs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  24. &lt;p id="Gtz7tS"&gt;The Iowa Cubs and Indianapolis were tied 3-3 after nine innings when the rains came. (They actually came a little earlier than that, but you know what I mean.) They’ll finish it tomorrow at 5 pm Eastern time before the regularly-scheduled game in Indy at 6:35 Eastern.&lt;/p&gt;
  25. &lt;p id="vyrhGj"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Knoxville Smokies&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  26. &lt;p id="SnjYcw"&gt;The Knoxville Smokies were &lt;a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/smokies-vs-barons/2025/04/04/782932/final/box"&gt;subjugated by the Birmingham Barons (White Sox), 6-4.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  27. &lt;p id="H69XKd"&gt;Starter &lt;strong&gt;Will Sanders&lt;/strong&gt; gave the Smokies a great chance to win, giving up just one run on five hits over five innings. Sanders walked one and struck out two.&lt;/p&gt;
  28. &lt;p id="68zTkw"&gt;The Smokies had a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh when &lt;strong&gt;Cayne Ueckert&lt;/strong&gt; took the mound for a disastrous outing. Ueckert failed to retire a batter. The first two batters of the inning singled, the next two walked (forcing in a run) and the fifth batter tripled in two more before Ueckert was pulled by manager Lance Rymel. Ueckert got the loss with a final line of five runs over no innings. His ERA in now infinite. &lt;/p&gt;
  29. &lt;p id="dzVAyS"&gt;Before the bullpen meltdown, third baseman &lt;strong&gt;Pedro Ramirez&lt;/strong&gt; had a good game, going 3 for 4 with an RBI single in the third inning. He also scored a run in the second. &lt;/p&gt;
  30. &lt;p id="FAZYO5"&gt;Left fielder &lt;strong&gt;Jordan Nwogu&lt;/strong&gt; was 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the second inning. &lt;/p&gt;
  31. &lt;p id="GciVMb"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;South Bend Cubs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  32. &lt;p id="m79saz"&gt;The South Bend Cubs were &lt;a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-sky-carp/2025/04/04/785415/final/box"&gt;plopped on by the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins), 7-0&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
  33. &lt;p id="m0O8F1"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Jaxon Wiggins&lt;/strong&gt; started for the Cubs and allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits over 3.1 innings. Wiggins struck out four and walked three while picking up the loss. He threw 65 pitches and 35 were for strikes.&lt;/p&gt;
  34. &lt;p id="LRJqY3"&gt;The Sky Carp blew this game open with a five-run eighth inning off of relievers &lt;strong&gt;Yovanny Cabrera&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong&gt;Angel Hernandez&lt;/strong&gt;. Cabrera was charged with three runs on one hit and two walks over 1.2 innings. He struck out three. Hernandez allowed two run (and two inherited runners) on two hits over a third of an inning. He walked one and struck out one.&lt;/p&gt;
  35. &lt;p id="OK6o1l"&gt;South Bend had just four hits, all singles. Catcher &lt;strong&gt;Ariel Armas&lt;/strong&gt; went 1 for 3 with a walk.&lt;/p&gt;
  36. &lt;p id="3s4E4W"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Myrtle Beach Pelicans&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  37. &lt;p id="3cdf97"&gt;The Myrtle Beach Pelicans &lt;a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/pelicans-vs-riverdogs/2025/04/04/786733/final/box"&gt;kenneled the Charleston RiverDogs (Rays), 13-2.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  38. &lt;p id="OhxmU2"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Evan Aschenbeck,&lt;/strong&gt; the Cubs’ 13th-round pick out of &lt;a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com"&gt;Texas A&amp;amp;M&lt;/a&gt; last year, made his professional debut in this game and was very, very good. Aschenbeck gave up one unearned run on three hits over four innings. He struck out seven and walked no one.&lt;/p&gt;
  39. &lt;p id="MQlHVu"&gt;Because Aschenbeck didn’t go five, the win went to reliever &lt;strong&gt;Cole Reynolds&lt;/strong&gt; in his professional debut. Reynolds threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out three. &lt;/p&gt;
  40. &lt;p id="NR2zqF"&gt;The Pelicans broke out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second and never trailed after that. Left fielder &lt;strong&gt;Leonel Espinoza&lt;/strong&gt; singled home DH &lt;strong&gt;Cole Mathis&lt;/strong&gt; in the second.&lt;/p&gt;
  41. &lt;p id="r55RnX"&gt;Espinoza was went 2 for 5. Mathis, in his professional debut, was 0 for 2 with four walks and three runs scored. Mathis was the only Pelican without a hit, but made up for it with the four walks.&lt;/p&gt;
  42. &lt;p id="l8tyKs"&gt;Third baseman &lt;strong&gt;Matt Halbach&lt;/strong&gt;, who was also making his professional debut after getting drafted in the tenth round from UC San Diego, also hit his first professional home run tonight to lead off the top of the ninth. Halbach was 3 for 5 with two RBI.&lt;/p&gt;
  43. &lt;p id="vlaNgS"&gt;Later in the ninth, right fielder &lt;strong&gt;Jose Escobar&lt;/strong&gt; hit a two-run home run. Escobar was the player of the game, going 4 for 6 with three runs and the two RBI.&lt;/p&gt;
  44. &lt;p id="MH9LvK"&gt;Catcher &lt;strong&gt;Michael Carico&lt;/strong&gt; went 2 for 4 with a walk and a two-run double in the seventh inning. He had three total RBI and scored twice.&lt;/p&gt;
  45. &lt;p id="Xg5pYs"&gt;Shortstop &lt;strong&gt;Eriandys Ramon&lt;/strong&gt; was 2 for 5 with a run batted in.&lt;/p&gt;
  46. &lt;p id="IpBabh"&gt;Here’s Halbach’s home run.&lt;/p&gt;
  47. &lt;div id="tVoDJA"&gt;
  48. &lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"&gt;
  49. &lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Hal-back back back!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Matt Halbach   &lt;a href="https://t.co/Wu2zsqy9Mx"&gt;pic.twitter.com/Wu2zsqy9Mx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/Pelicanbaseball/status/1908346308521242942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 5, 2025&lt;/a&gt;
  50. &lt;/blockquote&gt;
  51. &lt;script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  52.  
  53. &lt;/div&gt;
  54. &lt;p id="4JfvmY"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  55.  
  56. </content>
  57.    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24401579/chicago-cubs-minor-league-wrap-jaxon-wiggins-evan-aschenbeck-matt-halbach-will-sanders"/>
  58.    <id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24401579/chicago-cubs-minor-league-wrap-jaxon-wiggins-evan-aschenbeck-matt-halbach-will-sanders</id>
  59.    <author>
  60.      <name>Josh Timmers</name>
  61.    </author>
  62.  </entry>
  63.  <entry>
  64.    <published>2025-04-04T17:30:40-05:00</published>
  65.    <updated>2025-04-04T17:30:40-05:00</updated>
  66.    <title>Cubs 3, Padres 1: Shōta shines on a cloudy, chilly Wrigley afternoon</title>
  67.    <content type="html">  
  68.  
  69.    &lt;figure&gt;
  70.      &lt;img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8vKsrtWVBokM0xRFb_9DhF62Hrs=/0x112:2811x1986/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74004861/2207906846.0.jpg" /&gt;
  71.        &lt;figcaption&gt;Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images&lt;/figcaption&gt;
  72.    &lt;/figure&gt;
  73.  
  74.  &lt;p&gt;The Cubs welcomed fans back to Wrigley Field with a win.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p id="IMzT3t"&gt;Friday’s home Cubs opener at Wrigley Field was typical of so many over the years: Cloudy, wind blowing off the lake, temperature in the mid-40s.&lt;/p&gt;
  75. &lt;p id="a9gF5G"&gt;The capacity house of 40,244 was there to be entertained and to see a win, and they certainly got both. Shōta Imanaga, perhaps the most popular current Cub, threw seven-plus strong innings and the Cubs got just enough offense to &lt;a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;amp;xs=1&amp;amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com%2Fgameday%2Fpadres-vs-cubs%2F2025%2F04%2F04%2F778460%2Ffinal%2Fbox&amp;amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedcubbieblue.com%2F2025%2F4%2F4%2F24401467%2Fcubs-padres-recap-shota-imanaga-pete-crow-armstrong-mlb-scores" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"&gt;defeat the Padres 3-1&lt;/a&gt;. It was San Diego’s first loss of the year after seven wins.&lt;/p&gt;
  76. &lt;p id="oujf6W"&gt;Imanaga breezed through the first inning. &lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/7829a5a3-db57e74c-9cb5ad11-csvm-diamondgcp-asset-4000K.mp4"&gt;Don’t you just love watching him carve up opposing hitters? [VIDEO]&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  77. &lt;div id="wGvRj6"&gt;
  78. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2F7829a5a3-db57e74c-9cb5ad11-csvm-diamondgcp-asset-4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  79. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  80. &lt;/div&gt;
  81. &lt;p id="RaafXW"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  82. &lt;p id="SM3W3V"&gt;Then the Cubs offense got to work... slowly. Ian Happ led off the first with a single and two outs later, Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson walked to load the bases.&lt;/p&gt;
  83. &lt;p id="T11BWa"&gt;It’s not thrilling offense, but another walk to Nico Hoerner &lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/7b1780c6-37d609c9-bbf8be33-csvm-diamondgcp-asset-4000K.mp4"&gt;gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead [VIDEO]&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
  84. &lt;div id="ukYlXg"&gt;
  85. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2F7b1780c6-37d609c9-bbf8be33-csvm-diamondgcp-asset-4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  86. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  87. &lt;/div&gt;
  88. &lt;p id="t7XxIw"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  89. &lt;p id="d24t1n"&gt;The Cubs got some strong defense in the second. &lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/2212ec81-91466a15-88090a01-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4"&gt;Pete Crow-Armstrong flashed some glove on this long drive by Xander Bogaerts [VIDEO].&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  90. &lt;div id="78e3Ua"&gt;
  91. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2F2212ec81-91466a15-88090a01-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  92. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  93. &lt;/div&gt;
  94. &lt;p id="IRr1o3"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  95. &lt;p id="bvhQTX"&gt;&lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/2a764ce3-9252529a-92353e80-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4"&gt;Here’s that catch again, with Statcast catch probability numbers [VIDEO].&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  96. &lt;div id="soUqB7"&gt;
  97. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2F2a764ce3-9252529a-92353e80-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  98. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  99. &lt;/div&gt;
  100. &lt;p id="Yv6x4p"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  101. &lt;p id="s7zbik"&gt;The next hitter, Jackson Merrill, sent this drive tailing toward the seats in foul territory in left field. &lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/cdb61624-6893f49e-c62501b1-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4"&gt;Happ snagged it before it got there [VIDEO].&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  102. &lt;div id="3KL6G4"&gt;
  103. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2Fcdb61624-6893f49e-c62501b1-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  104. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  105. &lt;/div&gt;
  106. &lt;p id="ek7LIr"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  107. &lt;p id="z337Sa"&gt;Gonna tell you right now: Happ’s going to win another Gold Glove this year.&lt;/p&gt;
  108. &lt;p id="A8vCu9"&gt;The Padres got on the board, tying the game, on a solo homer by Martin Maldonado in the third.&lt;/p&gt;
  109. &lt;p id="BFStuJ"&gt;I mean, come on. Martin Maldonado was released by the White Sox last year because he couldn’t hit. That was just ... absurd.&lt;/p&gt;
  110. &lt;p id="as1rTZ"&gt;In the top of the fifth, Jake Cronenworth led off with a double and was sacrificed to third.&lt;/p&gt;
  111. &lt;p id="91z7CC"&gt;&lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/d00f912b-1e5e17d0-2bda9073-csvm-diamondgcp-asset-4000K.mp4"&gt;The Cubs retired him with theis good defensive play [VIDEO].&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  112. &lt;div id="Ww9LAx"&gt;
  113. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2Fd00f912b-1e5e17d0-2bda9073-csvm-diamondgcp-asset-4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  114. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  115. &lt;/div&gt;
  116. &lt;p id="IXdYTC"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  117. &lt;p id="3bHkE4"&gt;The Cubs, though, saw the hitters go silent after Hoerner’s RBI walk in the first. Twelve straight Cubs went down after that before Happ singled with two out in the fifth. And then two more walks, from Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki, loaded the bases.&lt;/p&gt;
  118. &lt;p id="iMIkR0"&gt;Craig Counsell sent Justin Turner up to bat for Busch. Normally I’d say this is too early to make that move because you might want Busch’s bat and glove in the late innings, but... Turner hit a ground ball &lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/5d9c763c-5435b93b-3107425a-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4"&gt;that wound up as an RBI single [VIDEO]&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
  119. &lt;div id="SyJyka"&gt;
  120. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2F5d9c763c-5435b93b-3107425a-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  121. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  122. &lt;/div&gt;
  123. &lt;p id="5zgqZj"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  124. &lt;p id="3W0Yu8"&gt;All credit here to Suzuki for hustling to second to beat that throw, otherwise the inning would have been over.&lt;/p&gt;
  125. &lt;p id="Rpgy7k"&gt;&lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/46cf93cb-643b88e1-a0f1e167-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4"&gt;The next hitter was Swanson [VIDEO].&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  126. &lt;div id="VkUFs9"&gt;
  127. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2F46cf93cb-643b88e1-a0f1e167-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  128. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  129. &lt;/div&gt;
  130. &lt;p id="AAEKug"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  131. &lt;p id="Wer4uE"&gt;Manny Machado’s error allowed Tucker to score the Cubs’ third run of the afternoon.&lt;/p&gt;
  132. &lt;p id="0BDUmd"&gt;After that, Shōta settled in, retiring seven straight Padres until he was lifted to a lively ovation with one out in the eighth. It was the right call this early in the season, with Imanaga at 91 pitches. &lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/ee498a39-fae22c20-2b8e9d1c-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4"&gt;Here are Shōta’s four strikeouts [VIDEO].&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  133. &lt;div id="6JR7js"&gt;
  134. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2Fee498a39-fae22c20-2b8e9d1c-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  135. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  136. &lt;/div&gt;
  137. &lt;p id="grAYHk"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  138. &lt;p id="QR2snB"&gt;Best of all, after walking six in his first 11 innings this year, Imanaga didn’t walk anyone in this game, improving his walk rate from 14.2 percent to 8.8 percent, not as good as his 4.0 percent last year but at least headed in the right direction.&lt;/p&gt;
  139. &lt;p id="Sugi3E"&gt;Porter Hodge allowed a two-out single in the eighth but finished up without incident, and so the ninth again went to Ryan Pressly, or as he has been nicknamed in Dep’s bullpen chart, “Stressly.”&lt;/p&gt;
  140. &lt;p id="laOm2p"&gt;And that he was again on this cold afternoon. He issued a one-out walk and then gave up a sharp single to center. A ground out to third advanced the runners to second and third, but &lt;a href="https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2025/2025-04/04/bfbc3b1f-7acfd35b-29fe1eb0-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4"&gt;Pressly froze Cronenworth on a 3-2 fastball to end the game [VIDEO]&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
  141. &lt;div id="w2mRHa"&gt;
  142. &lt;div&gt;&lt;div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"&gt;&lt;iframe src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com%2FFORGE%2F2025%2F2025-04%2F04%2Fbfbc3b1f-7acfd35b-29fe1eb0-csvm-diamondgcp-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4&amp;amp;key=9ef4a209439e42bc59783ba959d50197" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" allow="encrypted-media *;"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
  143. &lt;script async="" src="https://cdn.iframe.ly/embed.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  144. &lt;/div&gt;
  145. &lt;p id="hqlTLo"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  146. &lt;p id="ZYXxyd"&gt;A save was recorded and all’s well that ends well, but I still suspect Hodge will be the Cubs closer by the end of this season.&lt;/p&gt;
  147. &lt;p id="KO8gh1"&gt;Some facts on this win from BCB’s JohnW53:&lt;/p&gt;
  148. &lt;blockquote&gt;
  149. &lt;p id="McAiSX"&gt;This was the eighth home opener since 1901 in which the Cubs made just three hits. It is the fourth of those that they won. The others were by 3-1 over the Reds in 1922, 2-0 over the Cardinals in 1950 and 5-3 over the Reds in 2016.&lt;/p&gt;
  150. &lt;p id="IdmxPe"&gt;Their fewest hits were two, in 2021, when they lost to the Pirates, 5-3.&lt;/p&gt;
  151. &lt;p id="cnJQ6Q"&gt;The seven walks by Cubs batters tied for their third most in a home opener. They had had seven in seven previous openers, most recently in 2016. They had eight in 1955 and 1965, and nine in 2009, when they beat the Rockies, 4-0.&lt;/p&gt;
  152. &lt;/blockquote&gt;
  153. &lt;p id="VbIswG"&gt;And, this win combined with the Cardinals’ loss to the Red Sox Friday afternoon puts the Cubs in first place in the NL Central with a 6-4 record. The Cardinals drop to 4-3, half a game behind. Also, it started to sprinkle lightly after the game, so that’s another good thing, the game was completed before any weather issues.&lt;/p&gt;
  154. &lt;p id="Zj3uso"&gt;One thing I’d like to tell you about regarding Wrigley Field, if you weren’t there Friday or didn’t notice on TV, is some major changes in the left-field bleachers to make more accessible seating. This is because of &lt;a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/10/31/cubs-reach-settlement-agreement-with-justice-department-to-make-wrigley-field-more-accessible-for-disabled-fans/"&gt;a consent decree from last October&lt;/a&gt; in a lawsuit brought against the Cubs by the Justice Department.&lt;/p&gt;
  155. &lt;p id="2YDJEB"&gt;One of the affected areas was section 501 in the left-field corner, where I’ve been sitting for the last 18 years. As many of you know, and &lt;a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2022/7/15/23220257/cubs-sued-ada-violations-appears-largely-in-compliance"&gt;as I mentioned in a 2022 article here&lt;/a&gt;, my partner Miriam uses a wheelchair when we go to ballgames and other events. Thus we are qualified to sit in the new ADA area in section 501, which looks like this:&lt;/p&gt;
  156. &lt;figure class="e-image"&gt;
  157.        &lt;img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LTed-OqqYLSMtnIzqPu0vsQqJjo=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25940293/20250404_124336.jpg"&gt;
  158.      &lt;cite&gt;Al Yellon&lt;/cite&gt;
  159.  &lt;/figure&gt;
  160. &lt;p id="qYzqYH"&gt;Sections 501, 502 and 504 were affected, but these areas have now been made useful for those fans who want ADA seating in the bleachers and as far as I’m concerned personally, we are making it work for us and are happy with the way things went on Opening Day. Gameday staff today was very helpful in getting things organized out there and the entire Cubs organization seems to really want to do right for this sort of seating. If you’re in the bleachers, stop by this area and say hi!&lt;/p&gt;
  161. &lt;p id="vTTdfg"&gt;Incidentally, this recap was delayed a bit because traffic was uncharacteristically gridlocked around the ballpark right after the game ended and as a result, it took us quite a bit longer than usual to get home.&lt;/p&gt;
  162. &lt;p id="Z1d0pk"&gt;Back to the Cubs — your first-place Cubs will take on the Padres again Saturday afternoon. Matthew Boyd will start for the Cubs and Nick Pivetta gets the call for San Diego. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.&lt;/p&gt;
  163.  
  164. </content>
  165.    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24401467/cubs-padres-recap-shota-imanaga-pete-crow-armstrong-mlb-scores"/>
  166.    <id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24401467/cubs-padres-recap-shota-imanaga-pete-crow-armstrong-mlb-scores</id>
  167.    <author>
  168.      <name>Al Yellon</name>
  169.    </author>
  170.  </entry>
  171.  <entry>
  172.    <published>2025-04-04T14:50:00-05:00</published>
  173.    <updated>2025-04-04T14:50:00-05:00</updated>
  174.    <title>Overflow thread: Cubs vs. Padres, Friday 4/4, 1:20 CT</title>
  175.    <content type="html">  
  176.  
  177.    &lt;figure&gt;
  178.      &lt;img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gOhiffDIRmenbHbgjc7W82SlkOM=/908x146:3644x1970/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74004475/usa_today_25830101.0.jpg" /&gt;
  179.        &lt;figcaption&gt;Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images&lt;/figcaption&gt;
  180.    &lt;/figure&gt;
  181.  
  182.  &lt;p id="bPVD9e"&gt;——&lt;/p&gt;
  183.  
  184. </content>
  185.    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399523/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-padres-friday-4-4-1-20-ct"/>
  186.    <id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399523/overflow-thread-cubs-vs-padres-friday-4-4-1-20-ct</id>
  187.    <author>
  188.      <name>Al Yellon</name>
  189.    </author>
  190.  </entry>
  191.  <entry>
  192.    <published>2025-04-04T14:00:00-05:00</published>
  193.    <updated>2025-04-04T14:00:00-05:00</updated>
  194.    <title>Get to know the South Bend Cubs</title>
  195.    <content type="html">  
  196.  
  197.    &lt;figure&gt;
  198.      &lt;img alt="Syndication: South Bend Tribune" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O6xez9dviiy-y3fVk2mYJipeA3s=/0x0:4096x2731/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74004363/usa_today_23597965.0.jpg" /&gt;
  199.        &lt;figcaption&gt;Yovanny Cabrera | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK&lt;/figcaption&gt;
  200.    &lt;/figure&gt;
  201.  
  202.  &lt;p&gt;The Cubs high-A affiliate features some strong pitching this year. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p id="cgafDM"&gt;The final of our four minor league affiliates is the closest one to Chicago, the High-A South Bend &lt;a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/"&gt;Cubs&lt;/a&gt; of the Midwest League. The South Bend Cubs start their season tonight at Beloit. Their home opener at Four Winds Field is on Monday at 7:05 Eastern Time against the Peoria Chiefs.&lt;/p&gt;
  203. &lt;p id="oBMMrF"&gt;While Iowa is certainly the most interesting team this season in terms of prospects, South Bend may be second on that list, headlined by the Opening Night starter, Jaxon Wiggins.&lt;/p&gt;
  204. &lt;p id="aby6OW"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who is in charge? &lt;/strong&gt;For the second-straight season, South Bend’s manager is Nick Lovullo. This is the 31-year-old Lovullo’s third season overall in the Cubs organization. Lovullo was a 20th-round pick of the &lt;a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/"&gt;Red Sox&lt;/a&gt; in 2016 out of Holy Cross. He was an infielder in the Red Sox and Marlins organizations from 2016 to 2021. And in case you are wondering, yes. Nick is the son of &lt;a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/"&gt;Diamondbacks&lt;/a&gt; manager Torey Lovullo.&lt;/p&gt;
  205. &lt;p id="q11tmy"&gt;The new pitching coach this year is George Thanopoulos, who was Myrtle Beach’s pitching coach last season and is in his fifth season coaching with the Cubs organization. Thanopoulos was a 27th-round pick by the Rockies out of Columbia in 2016 and pitched two seasons in short-season Boise.&lt;/p&gt;
  206. &lt;p id="B5hYYm"&gt;The assistant pitching coach is Jose Zapata, who pitched for the Cubs’ Dominican Summer League team in 2013. (He was really good, too. He must have gotten injured.) Zapata coached for that DSL team from 2015 to 2022 before coaching in Mesa the past two seasons. &lt;/p&gt;
  207. &lt;p id="h346rd"&gt;Hitting coach Nate Spears is back for a second season in South Bend. Longtime minor league watchers may remember that Spears was the minor leaguer the Cubs got from the Orioles in the Corey Patterson trade in 2006. He was an infielder in the Cubs organization between 2006 and 2009, reaching as high as Triple-A Iowa. He then moved on to the Red Sox organization where he reached the majors for seven games in 2011 and 2012. After his playing career ended in 2015, he was a coach in the Red Sox organization where he coached manager Nick Lovullo.&lt;/p&gt;
  208. &lt;p id="4W8H9H"&gt;Daniel Wasinger is the bench coach after serving as the developmental coach for Myrtle Beach last year. The Cubs drafted Wasinger in the 38th round out of high school in 2014, but he decided to attend Southeastern Louisiana instead of signing. The Diamondbacks then took him in the 31st round in 2018 and he played two years in their organization, reaching as high as then-low-A Midwest League. &lt;/p&gt;
  209. &lt;p id="EbKdC6"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who are the pitchers?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  210. &lt;p id="NkLi09"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Yovanny Cabrera&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  211. &lt;p id="eyOo0f"&gt;LHP &lt;strong&gt;Burl Carraway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  212. &lt;p id="5tnHrb"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Nolan Clenney&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  213. &lt;p id="7fLQSN"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Nick Dean&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  214. &lt;p id="edTLOY"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Kenten Egbert&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  215. &lt;p id="63zZ10"&gt;LHP &lt;strong&gt;Angel Hernandez&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  216. &lt;p id="PIs3f9"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Johzan Oquendo&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  217. &lt;p id="rEHnfV"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Kenyi Perez&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  218. &lt;p id="oGbi9j"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Vince Reilly&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  219. &lt;p id="EogeSS"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Luis Rujano&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  220. &lt;p id="KcdSft"&gt;LHP &lt;strong&gt;Marino Santy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  221. &lt;p id="62mOjO"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Connor Schultz&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  222. &lt;p id="529eaE"&gt;LHP &lt;strong&gt;Chase Watkins&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  223. &lt;p id="cVDvBH"&gt;RHP &lt;strong&gt;Jaxon Wiggins&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  224. &lt;p id="GVBF27"&gt;The big name here is &lt;strong&gt;Jaxon Wiggins&lt;/strong&gt;, who is the Cubs’ ninth-best prospect according to &lt;em&gt;Baseball America.&lt;/em&gt; The Cubs took Wiggins in the second-round in 2023 despite him having missed his entire junior year at Arkansas with Tommy John surgery. In his first year back, he showed a plus fastball in the 96-97 mph range that touched 100 at times. His slider is top-notch as well and his changeup is promising. Wiggins struggled with control at times, which is common both with pitchers coming off of TJ surgery and with tall pitchers like Wiggins, who is 6’6”. If he can learn to throw strikes this year, look out. His ceiling is high. &lt;/p&gt;
  225. &lt;p id="pkK8w1"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Baseball America&lt;/em&gt; ranked &lt;strong&gt;Nick Dean&lt;/strong&gt; as the Cubs’ 28th-best prospect. Dean’s best pitch is his changeup, which is his go-to pitch when he needs a swing and a miss. The rest of his arsenal—fastball, curve, slider—are more pedestrian, but he commands it well and they play better than their pure stuff. He’s a potential #5 starter/swingman if he succeeds. Dean was a teammate of Matt Shaw’s at Maryland.&lt;/p&gt;
  226. &lt;p id="xUYNBf"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kenten Egbert&lt;/strong&gt; was a successful starter for the Pelicans last year, going 7-2 with a 3.04 ERA. &lt;strong&gt;Angel Hernandez&lt;/strong&gt; was very good for the first half of last year in Myrtle Beach and quite poor after his promotion to South Bend. &lt;/p&gt;
  227. &lt;p id="GVlGGT"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Kenyi Perez&lt;/strong&gt; had a miserable season last year in Myrtle Beach (9.47 ERA over 38 innings—highlighted by &lt;strong&gt;60&lt;/strong&gt; walks!) but he’s got some electric stuff. If he can learn to throw strikes, he has closer potential. &lt;em&gt;BA&lt;/em&gt; ranked Perez as the Cubs’ 36th-best prospect. &lt;/p&gt;
  228. &lt;p id="0jDGRx"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Marino Santy&lt;/strong&gt; is a left-handed bullpen arm that intrigues me.&lt;/p&gt;
  229. &lt;p id="YMNG6o"&gt;The Cubs took &lt;strong&gt;Burl Carraway&lt;/strong&gt; in the second round in 2020 and he’s pretty much been hurt since then. He has missed the past two-and-a-half seasons with injuries. He was considered to be the best reliever in the draft that year, but who knows what he is now.&lt;/p&gt;
  230. &lt;p id="SmdwrM"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who are the catchers?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  231. &lt;p id="anAO2m"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ariel Armas&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  232. &lt;p id="QMVnlq"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;David Avitia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  233. &lt;p id="iopl1T"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Miguel Pabon&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  234. &lt;p id="hB242Z"&gt;The name to watch here is &lt;strong&gt;Ariel Armas,&lt;/strong&gt; who was the Cubs’ fifth-round pick last summer out of San Diego. He’s considered a good defender who moves well behind the plate and has a above-average arm. He only hit .204 in 49 at-bats in South Bend last year, but scouts praised his contact skills coming out of college and he may have been hitting into bad luck in a small sample size. He’s not likely to hit for much power, but there’s certainly a backup catcher profile there. (And really, there are no backup catchers these days. They all play.) &lt;em&gt;Baseball America&lt;/em&gt; ranked Armas as the Cubs’ 40th-best prospect.&lt;/p&gt;
  235. &lt;p id="vcuVs4"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who are the infielders?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  236. &lt;p id="23ywzt"&gt;1B &lt;strong&gt;Edgar Alvarez&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  237. &lt;p id="l69EGu"&gt;3B &lt;strong&gt;Drew Bowser&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  238. &lt;p id="d5iMZ0"&gt;SS &lt;strong&gt;Reivaj Garcia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  239. &lt;p id="gLdmAP"&gt;SS &lt;strong&gt;Cristian Hernandez&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  240. &lt;p id="j1FMCO"&gt;3B &lt;strong&gt;Brian Kalmer&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  241. &lt;p id="vbsWef"&gt;INF/LF &lt;strong&gt;Reginald Preciado&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  242. &lt;p id="ngGQtq"&gt;2B &lt;strong&gt;Carter Trice&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  243. &lt;p id="Kv3l4o"&gt;The big name here is &lt;strong&gt;Cristian Hernandez&lt;/strong&gt;, who signed with the Cubs to great fanfare as an international free agent in 2021. His first few years in the Cubs system were a big “meh,” not even coming close to the lofty predictions when he signed. But Hernandez turned a corner in 2024, putting up a .788 OPS in tough-to-hit Myrtle Beach before his late promotion to South Bend. He made more contact last year and drew more walks. He also started to tap into the power that many predicted he would develop. Defensively, he’s good enough to stick at shortstop. Hernandez is still only 21, so he’s still young for his level. Hernandez doesn’t look like a superstar anymore, but now there does look like there’s a path to a major-league future for him. &lt;/p&gt;
  244. &lt;p id="LAVVdA"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Reivaj Garcia&lt;/strong&gt; has some good hit tools and hit .284 for South Bend last year. Unfortunately, it was an empty .284 as he doesn’t walk much, doesn’t hit for power and doesn’t steal bases. Still, you have to like his contact skills.&lt;/p&gt;
  245. &lt;p id="hVv9dw"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Brian Kalmer&lt;/strong&gt; caused a stir after he was taken in the 18th round out of Gonzaga in 2023 and proceeded to hit .358/.423/.683 with ten home runs in 32 games in tough-to-hit Myrtle Beach. Kalmer came crashing down to earth in South Bend in 2024, hitting just .196/.293/.385 with 11 home runs in 83 games. Obviously there is some power there, but his contact skills last year were abysmal. He needs to make a lot more contact to be interesting again.&lt;/p&gt;
  246. &lt;p id="wZEUyO"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Edgar Alvarez&lt;/strong&gt; was the Cubs’ eighth-round pick out of Nicholls State last year. &lt;strong&gt;Reginald Preciado&lt;/strong&gt; was one of the four players the Cubs got from the Padres for Yu Darvish. Five years later, he’s finally made it to High-A.&lt;/p&gt;
  247. &lt;p id="A7MQYa"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Who are the outfielders?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  248. &lt;p id="eljFyS"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ivan Brethowr&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  249. &lt;p id="ezexp6"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Andy Garriola&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  250. &lt;p id="G0GrO9"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rafael Morel&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  251. &lt;p id="hU32E3"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Andy Garriola&lt;/strong&gt; hit 18 home runs in 90 games for Myrtle Beach last season. That got him promoted to South Bend where he hit three more home runs in 17 games. Strikeouts are a big issue for Garriola, but the power is certainly enticing and he did hit .246 with a .319 OBP between the two levels. &lt;em&gt;Baseball America&lt;/em&gt; has him as the Cubs’ 39th-best prospect.&lt;/p&gt;
  252. &lt;p id="jFHaCg"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Ivan Brethowr&lt;/strong&gt; turned some heads in Spring Training with a big home run and some nice defense in right field. He also got some Aaron Judge comparisons, although we should be quick to note that they were referring to his physical build and not Judge’s hitting ability. Still, Brethowr, who was the Cubs’ seventh-round pick out of UC-Santa Barbara in last year’s draft, does have some real power potential. Brethowr struggled a bit in low-A Myrtle Beach last year, but it was only 23 games. This year we should find out if there’s anything there with Brethowr.&lt;/p&gt;
  253. &lt;p id="A3xDQk"&gt;For those of you missing Christopher Morel, his little brother &lt;strong&gt;Rafael Morel &lt;/strong&gt;is still with the Cubs. He’s back in South Bend again this year after hitting .226/.316/.341 with eight home runs and six steals in 84 games. &lt;/p&gt;
  254.  
  255. </content>
  256.    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24400857/get-to-know-the-south-bend-cubs-jaxon-wiggins-nick-dean-ariel-armas-cristian-hernandez"/>
  257.    <id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24400857/get-to-know-the-south-bend-cubs-jaxon-wiggins-nick-dean-ariel-armas-cristian-hernandez</id>
  258.    <author>
  259.      <name>Josh Timmers</name>
  260.    </author>
  261.  </entry>
  262.  <entry>
  263.    <published>2025-04-04T13:15:00-05:00</published>
  264.    <updated>2025-04-04T13:15:00-05:00</updated>
  265.    <title>First pitch thread: Cubs vs. Padres, Friday 4/4, 1:20 CT</title>
  266.    <content type="html">  
  267.  
  268.    &lt;figure&gt;
  269.      &lt;img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CwL3pLnQOIXS1Pr3s-a6fUPBbZc=/157x209:6484x4427/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74004282/usa_today_25805205.0.jpg" /&gt;
  270.        &lt;figcaption&gt;Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images&lt;/figcaption&gt;
  271.    &lt;/figure&gt;
  272.  
  273.  &lt;p id="bPVD9e"&gt;Go get ‘em, Shōta.&lt;/p&gt;
  274.  
  275. </content>
  276.    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399519/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-padres-friday-4-4-1-20-ct"/>
  277.    <id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399519/first-pitch-thread-cubs-vs-padres-friday-4-4-1-20-ct</id>
  278.    <author>
  279.      <name>Al Yellon</name>
  280.    </author>
  281.  </entry>
  282.  <entry>
  283.    <published>2025-04-04T11:31:00-05:00</published>
  284.    <updated>2025-04-04T11:31:00-05:00</updated>
  285.    <title>Cubs vs. Padres Friday 4/4 game threads</title>
  286.    <content type="html">  
  287.  
  288.    &lt;figure&gt;
  289.      &lt;img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jBONYXdhR7awp7e_fjliKDjAX_c=/451x451:3847x2715/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74004097/0404.0.jpg" /&gt;
  290.    &lt;/figure&gt;
  291.  
  292.  &lt;p&gt;Friday’s game threads are all right here.&lt;/p&gt;
  293.  
  294. </content>
  295.    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399529/cubs-padres-friday-game-threads"/>
  296.    <id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399529/cubs-padres-friday-game-threads</id>
  297.    <author>
  298.      <name>Al Yellon</name>
  299.    </author>
  300.  </entry>
  301.  <entry>
  302.    <published>2025-04-04T11:30:00-05:00</published>
  303.    <updated>2025-04-04T11:30:00-05:00</updated>
  304.    <title>Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres preview, Friday 4/4, 1:20 CT</title>
  305.    <content type="html">  
  306.  
  307.    &lt;figure&gt;
  308.      &lt;img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hEXbepGcjIsig-eIPL-RBB-kpy0=/31x96:2467x1720/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74004087/usa_today_25830907.0.jpg" /&gt;
  309.        &lt;figcaption&gt;Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images&lt;/figcaption&gt;
  310.    &lt;/figure&gt;
  311.  
  312.  &lt;p&gt;It’s the Wrigley Field opener for 2025!&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p id="BoLsVY"&gt;Friday notes:&lt;/p&gt;
  313. &lt;ul&gt;
  314. &lt;li id="5a6GcY"&gt;
  315. &lt;strong&gt;A UNIQUE HOME OPENER OCCURRENCE:&lt;/strong&gt; The Padres’ 7-0 record is the best of any team that the Cubs have hosted in a home opener. They have welcomed eight other teams that were unbeaten: five that were 2-0 and three that were 1-0. The Cubs were 2-6 in those games. They beat the 1-0 Mets in 1982 and the 2-0 Expos in 1995. They lost to the 2-0 Cardinals in 1944, to the 1-0 Reds in 1954, to the 1-0 Cardinals in 1962, to the 2-0 Phillies in 1964, to the 2-0 Cardinals in 1968 and to the 2-0 Brewers in 2005. In 1984, the Cubs beat the 6-1 Mets. They beat the 5-1 Reds in 2016 and lost to three other 5-1 teams: the Louisville Colonels in 1892, the Giants in 1966 and the Marlins in 1997. The Cubs are 54-37 in all home openers that were not season opponents. They are 24-18 vs. teams with winning records, 9-8 vs .500 teams and 21-11 vs. teams with losing records. Their last win vs. a team with a winning record was in 2019, over the 5-3 Pirates. Last year’s win over the 3-4 Rockies was their first home opener that was not a season opener since then. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)&lt;/li&gt;
  316. &lt;li id="NYgWNE"&gt;
  317. &lt;strong&gt;HOT HITTER:&lt;/strong&gt; Seiya Suzuki, last four games since March 30: .474/.522/1.158 (1.680 OPS), 9-for-19 with a double, four home runs and 11 RBI.&lt;/li&gt;
  318. &lt;li id="LWqZrb"&gt;
  319. &lt;strong&gt;ANOTHER HOT HITTER:&lt;/strong&gt; Kyle Tucker, last five games since March 29: .476/.577/1.238 (1.815 OPS), 10-for-21, four doubles, five home runs, five walks, nine RBI.&lt;/li&gt;
  320. &lt;li id="yY9VQj"&gt;
  321. &lt;strong&gt;CUBS CATCHERS ARE HITTING, TOO:&lt;/strong&gt; Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly have combined to bat .344/.421/.656 in the nine games so far this year. They are 11-for-32 with five doubles, a triple, a home run, 13 RBI and five walks.&lt;/li&gt;
  322. &lt;/ul&gt;
  323. &lt;p id="J9nepc"&gt;Here are today’s particulars.&lt;/p&gt;
  324. &lt;p id="OmIgrW"&gt;Cubs lineup:&lt;/p&gt;
  325. &lt;div id="EegjDG"&gt;
  326. &lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"&gt;
  327. &lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt; ️: CHICAGOOOO!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Watch live on the Marquee Sports Network App. &lt;a href="https://t.co/wVZe93IrcT"&gt;pic.twitter.com/wVZe93IrcT&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1908173329934033139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 4, 2025&lt;/a&gt;
  328. &lt;/blockquote&gt;
  329. &lt;script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  330.  
  331. &lt;/div&gt;
  332. &lt;p id="nU1Gao"&gt;Padres lineup:&lt;/p&gt;
  333. &lt;div id="G6mtDA"&gt;
  334. &lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center"&gt;
  335. &lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;Good morning from Chicago! &lt;a href="https://t.co/0adtoDgpyE"&gt;pic.twitter.com/0adtoDgpyE&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;— San Diego Padres (@Padres) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1908179225577980297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;April 4, 2025&lt;/a&gt;
  336. &lt;/blockquote&gt;
  337. &lt;script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
  338.  
  339. &lt;/div&gt;
  340. &lt;h2 id="lePhfq"&gt;Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Randy Vásquez, RHP&lt;/h2&gt;
  341. &lt;div class="c-float-left"&gt;
  342. &lt;figure class="e-image"&gt;
  343.        &lt;img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cWq7VL-8OFh2iJFEQGpcptspWp8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25928904/usa_today_25702439.jpg"&gt;
  344.      &lt;cite&gt;Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images&lt;/cite&gt;
  345.  &lt;/figure&gt;
  346. &lt;/div&gt;
  347. &lt;div class="c-float-right"&gt;
  348. &lt;figure class="e-image"&gt;
  349.        &lt;img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iIAqXuNk1HdzslVsr8p6BuVlGtw=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25937860/usa_today_25790587.jpg"&gt;
  350.      &lt;cite&gt;Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images&lt;/cite&gt;
  351.  &lt;/figure&gt;
  352. &lt;/div&gt;
  353. &lt;figure class="e-image"&gt;
  354.        &lt;img alt="thin white spacer" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/OOZ5hYsZUGHYc4jkXfWiY50nJ8A=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8538777/thinwhitespacer.0.jpg"&gt;
  355.  &lt;/figure&gt;
  356. &lt;p id="zjaNFF"&gt;Shōta Imanaga has thrown 11 innings so far this year and allowed just one run. The only thing a bit concerning about his start to 2025 is the walks — six of them. He walked only 28 all of last year in 173x innings. Hopefully that’s just a blip and he’ll go back to his old self starting today.&lt;/p&gt;
  357. &lt;p id="5x2wns"&gt;His only start vs. the Padres came May 7, 2024 at Wrigley Field. He allowed two runs in seven innings and struck out eight.&lt;/p&gt;
  358. &lt;p id="MXWvYb"&gt;Another one just like that, please.&lt;/p&gt;
  359. &lt;p id="jSSL8a"&gt;Randy Vásquez threw six shutout innings against the Braves &lt;a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SDN/SDN202503290.shtml"&gt;March 29 in San Diego&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
  360. &lt;p id="9i2nXN"&gt;His only career start vs. the Cubs was as Imanaga’s opponent in that May 7, 2024 game. He allowed one run in 4⅓ innings and struck out six.&lt;/p&gt;
  361. &lt;p id="J8mm2c"&gt;That’s all I’ve got on Vásquez — more in his chart below.&lt;/p&gt;
  362. &lt;figure class="e-image"&gt;
  363.        &lt;img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9nZdOFZK2s5ylS5nTTLTOKdvAQ8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25937869/Screenshot_2025_04_03_at_6.43.04_AM.png"&gt;
  364.      &lt;cite&gt;&lt;a class="ql-link" href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#684007_2025" target="_blank"&gt;Baseball Savant&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/cite&gt;
  365.  &lt;/figure&gt;
  366. &lt;figure class="e-image"&gt;
  367.        &lt;img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QQqFZH0XvuLs-AGiXR3bgkFJ0oI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25937865/Screenshot_2025_04_03_at_6.39.58_AM.png"&gt;
  368.      &lt;cite&gt;&lt;a class="ql-link" href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/pitchmix#681190_2025" target="_blank"&gt;Baseball Savant&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/cite&gt;
  369.  &lt;/figure&gt;
  370. &lt;p id="GetjFT"&gt;Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. &lt;a href="https://www.marqueesportsnetwork.com/providers/"&gt;You can find out if Marquee is available via a provider in your area here.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
  371. &lt;p id="4TJDJu"&gt;&lt;a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;amp;xs=1&amp;amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com%2Flive-stream-games%2F2025%2F04%2F04&amp;amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedcubbieblue.com%2F2025%2F4%2F4%2F24399507%2Fchicago-cubs-san-diego-padres-preview-friday" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"&gt;Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  372. &lt;p id="Xe5URc"&gt;&lt;a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;amp;xs=1&amp;amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mlb.com%2Fgameday%2Fpadres-vs-cubs%2F2025%2F04%2F04%2F778460%2Flive&amp;amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bleedcubbieblue.com%2F2025%2F4%2F4%2F24399507%2Fchicago-cubs-san-diego-padres-preview-friday" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"&gt;MLB.com Gameday&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  373. &lt;p id="iDRiK8"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/previews/2025/CHN202504040.shtml"&gt;Baseball-reference.com game preview&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
  374. &lt;p id="7oSHCm"&gt;Please visit our SB Nation Padres site &lt;a href="http://www.gaslampball.com/"&gt;Gaslamp Ball&lt;/a&gt;. If you do go there to interact with Padres 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.&lt;/p&gt;
  375. &lt;p id="mRtOMf"&gt;The 2025 Game Thread procedure will be identical to last year’s.&lt;/p&gt;
  376. &lt;p id="uNrOo7"&gt;You’ll find the game preview posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).&lt;/p&gt;
  377. &lt;p id="Jy7Er2"&gt;At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game, including the First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread, as well as the recap when it’s published. The recap will also live on the front page as a separate post.&lt;/p&gt;
  378. &lt;p id="F5ehVY"&gt;You will also be able to find the preview, First Pitch Thread and the overflow thread in the box marked “Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page (you can also find them in &lt;a href="http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/chicago-cubs-game-threads"&gt;this section link&lt;/a&gt;). The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.&lt;/p&gt;
  379. &lt;p id="pjBR1E"&gt;The First Pitch thread will post at five minutes before game time, then an overflow thread at 90 minutes after the scheduled game time.&lt;/p&gt;
  380. &lt;p id="cWIBoH"&gt;Discuss amongst yourselves.&lt;/p&gt;
  381.  
  382. </content>
  383.    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399507/chicago-cubs-san-diego-padres-preview-friday"/>
  384.    <id>https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2025/4/4/24399507/chicago-cubs-san-diego-padres-preview-friday</id>
  385.    <author>
  386.      <name>Al Yellon</name>
  387.    </author>
  388.  </entry>
  389. </feed>
  390.  

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