Gordon Wittenmyer
Chicago Cubs reporter
Gordon Wittenmyer covers the Chicago Cubs for the Chicago Sun-Times.
The most consistent pitcher on the staff should get consideration for Opening Day start, teammate Jon Lester suggests.
Ian Happ kept the heat on the battle for centerfield with a diving catch in the first and a home run in the third.
Ex-Cub manager clarifies comments he made about the front office exerting greater control and “philosophical differences” near the end of his five-year tenure in Chicago.
For potential Opening Day tone-setters, the Cubs have nobody else who brings close to what Darvish has brought to the mound since camp opened, if not since early July.
Lester struck out four, walked none and faced the minimum in three innings, thanks to catcher Willson Contreras wiping out two singles by throwing out a pair of would-be base-stealers.
The two-time All-Star drew more walks in his first 13 plate appearances this spring (four) than he did in June or July last season.
“Absolutely, there’s enough time,” Wieck said of beating the odds to be ready by opener. “This isn’t going to be the first time I’ve come back from something.”
The potential Opening Day starter located six pitches, including a 98-mph fastball during two innings of work against the division rivals.
A buy-low minor-leaguer the Tigers released in 2017, Ryan might be the only left-hander in camp who is a lock to make the season-opening bullpen.