Undefeated baby!!! Yes, the Cubs are 1-0 after the 1st game on the 2022 schedule. We beat that sorry ass team from Wisconsin with all their big bad pitching, and all their empty fingers… First place!!! At this pace… OK, OK… I know an Opening Day victory feels bigger than just your average win; it’s true… it does. But, I’m not going to start making any postseason plans yet. Still, it’s always fun when the Cubs win.
This game was a bit of a roller coaster… just like the 162 game season will be. Hendricks started off strong; the Cubs grabbed a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the 5th. The bullpen blew the lead; the Brewers tied the game in the 7th. The Cubs took back the lead in the bottom of the inning, gave up 1 run in the 8th, before the Cubs closer of the week David Robertson shut the door in the 9th. That was fun.
I love Kyle Hendricks. The 1st member of the 2016 Cubs that we will talk about today. I don’t care what anybody says, he’s still solid as a rock. He did have a rough year last season, but I do feel that he fits the bill for a #1 starter. Sure, he’s not throwing triple digits… he’s the exact opposite of most of the big name pitchers out there. I’m not saying he’s among the greatest pitchers in the game; I am saying that he is a more than serviceable ace for the Cubs. I still remember those big playoff games from 2016; you never forget that type of stuff. He’s a big game pitcher, period. And it’s not like he’s losing any velocity as he ages… I expect a very good season for Kyle; I just hope he finishes the season, and for that matter, his career with the Cubs; is that even a possibility any more?
I am sick of Jason Heyward. When he came up to bat with 2 men on base earlier in the game, I turned off the game on my phone. I’m sorry, but do we really have to sit through another year of Jason banging ground balls in the dirt? And yes, he is another 2016 member, an important contributor, no doubt; for that, he will always have a piece of my heart. Yet, with pretty much everybody else from that roster playing on another team in the league, why does HE have to be one of the guys that sticks around? I know… because nobody in their right mind would take that stupid ass contract we signed him to. Not Jason’s fault, but not sure he would be living up to any contract at this point. Thanks for the speech Jason; I’m waiting for another speech from you… your retirement…
Then there’s Willson Contreras. If I was a betting man, I would put some dough on him being the next Cub to be moved. Why if we wouldn’t keep young studs like Baez and Bryant, or a slightly older fan favorite first baseman in Anthony Rizzo, would we dare keep one of the best catchers in the league on our roster? I’m shocked that he made it through the worst week in recent Cubs history last trade deadline. Of course, he gets plunked in this one; of course, it’s the Brewers again. Did I say they were a sorry ass team? I can’t stand the Brewers. They’re not quite at the Cardinals’ level of hate, but…
Finally, David Ross. I know, he’s the manager, but as we circle back and check in with the 2016 Cubs on this team, he does fit that bill. Why the heck he was given an extension, I don’t know. Oh wait, I do know. Because the Cubs are cheap, and won’t be competing any time soon anyways… Got it. I liked Ross as a player, not so much as a manager. What if the Cubs had hired someone other than Ross when they replaced Madden? Would things have turned out different for the now shattered core? Who knows… Certainly not blaming Ross for all of that, but… he’s just a guy IMO. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong… I hope he does.
Crazy the way my brain works…taking an Opening Day 2022 victory and tying it into a 2016 memory lane walk; don’t even ask. Bottom line though: I love when the Cubs win. This never changes. An Opening Day win… yeah, really sweet. Will we dare go 2-0 against the next stud Brewers’ starting pitcher??? Go Cubs!!!
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