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The Chicago Cubs desperately wanted to erase a rough showing in the San Diego Padres series with a big win in the opener of their three-game set with the Seattle Mariners. Unfortunately, the host Mariners had other plans for their midwest visitors.
Tale of the Tape
Jordan Wicks came into Friday's game looking to build on his early-season success. Unfortunately, he was tested early by the Mariners. In the bottom of the second inning, Wicks was dealing with bases loaded. The lefty hit Luis Urias and drove in a run. That said, Wicks managed to escape without any further damage in the frame.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Mariners struck again. This time, superstar Julio Rodriguez singled with the bases loaded to score a pair of runs. J.P. Crawford scampered to third on the play as well. J-Rod managed to give the Mariners some comfort.
The M's weren't done. Ty France came to the dish and swatted another single, driving in Crawford from third. The Mariners led 4-0 at that point and had a commanding lead that wouldn't be threatened for the rest of the contest.
Wicks only lasted 4.0 innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits. The true downside of the start was the walk number, as Wicks allowed four free passes while fanning six.
On the flip side, RHP Bryce Miller dealt for Seattle. Miller pitched 6.1 innings, allowing an unearned run and three hits before his departure. With Nico Hoerner on, a baserunner allowed by Miller, the Mariners failed to finish off the seventh inning with a routine ground ball. France dropped the Urias feed, with later credit for the error going to Urias, and Hoerner gave the Cubs their first run.
The Cubs HAVE A RUN! pic.twitter.com/yWWyKFSNuA
— Cubs On Tap (@CubbiesOnTap) April 13, 2024
Michael Busch made things interesting in the ninth when he clubbed his third home run of the season. Sadly, the effort wasn't enough for the Cubs as they fell 4-2 in their first game of the series.
Pitching Woes
Although Drew Smyly and Keegan Thompson combined for four shutout innings to close the game, Jordan Wicks struggled with his command and got himself into trouble. Unfortunately, just about every Cubs pitcher on the roster has done the same. Javier Assad has had those same problems, and Kyle Hendricks has yet to give up less than five earned runs in any of his three starts. As it stands, the Cubs only go as far as their rotation, which may not be far at all.
With Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon still on the shelf, the Cubs can only rely on Shota Imanaga and Ben Brown for quality performances. Once the two injured starters return, things should improve. However, there is a case to be made for Brown to stick in the rotation, and one of Wicks, Assad, or Hendricks to be relegated to the bullpen or Triple-A Iowa.
Taillon threw a successful rehab start with the Iowa Cubs on Friday, cruising for 3.2 innings. The big righty gave up three hits, no runs, and only walked one while fanning four batters. It appears his return is closer than fans may expect. Perhaps he returns from the 15-day IL when the Miami Marlins venture to Wrigley Field on April 18 for the first of four games.
Something has to be done. It might be too early to pull the trigger on a trade for more pitching, but some hot starts for players like Matt Mervis may allow the Cubs to capitalize on value to improve their starting rotation if they so choose.
What's On Tap Next?
The Cubs and Mariners will run it back on Saturday, April 13. The 8:40 p.m. CDT first pitch will feature LHP Shota Imanaga for the Cubs and RHP Emerson Hancock for the Mariners.
More must-reads:
- Dodgers star latest victim of announcers jinx
- The three most surprising teams in Major League Baseball so far
- The 'MLB Rookies of the Year' quiz
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