ATLANTA – Maybe it’s the recent begin the Cubs want.
Maybe it’s going from the sweatbox into the inferno.
But after speaking since December about how a lot harder the National League Central received since final yr, the stand-pat Cubs are about to search out out simply how a lot harder once they open a three-game collection Friday towards the defending-champion Brewers.
They go in stumbling, having misplaced the primary two collection to open the season, with issues like bullpens, fielding and strike throwing abruptly rising on the checklist of each day priorities – if not each day affirmations.
The Cubs hope to boost Cain — if not their victory whole — throughout this weekend’s collection in Milwaukee.
“We’ve got to play well in our division,” supervisor Joe Maddon stated. “I’m sure our guys will feel that. But I get so engrossed in just the day. Once I get there, maybe I’ll feel differently.”
For a staff that blew late-inning leads in three of its first 5 video games and dedicated six errors in one other, the swap to acquainted Miller Park, to face the staff that caught them on the ultimate weekend of final season for the division title has the potential so as to add a distinct really feel for the entire staff.
“It’s obviously going to be intense all year in this division,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo stated. “It’s going to be a battle, probably some really, really intense games, which is going to lead to some good viewing for our audience.”
He stated that in spring coaching, and the Brewers have jumped out to a 6-1 begin to solely underscore the purpose.
That urgency stuff the Cubs have talked about for months? This is a part of what that’s about, staff president Theo Epstein stated.
It’s about perspective and preparation usually, he stated. And it’s essential due to how final season ended so abruptly by such a razor-thin margin, he stated.
“But most important, because the National League is really tough,” Epstein stated. “The National League Central specifically has no smooth spots. The margin for error is actually small so the staff that reveals up able to play and able to execute on a constant foundation night time in and night time out goes to be in the end rewarded.
“And no staff is nice sufficient to point out up once they need to or wait till they’re in hassle to point out up, and succeed on this division or this league.”
Perhaps particularly towards the Brewers, who’ve received 5 straight – and 14 of 15 regular-season video games going again to the tip of final yr.
“I thought it was the best [division in baseball] last year,” Maddon stated. “It’s gotten even better. It’s a tremendous challenge for us.”
The Cubs, who had been pressured to go to their bullpen within the fifth inning for starter Yu Darvish on Thursday night time in Atlanta, maneuvered their rotation to verify Crew-killer Jose Quintana was pitching in Milwaukee.
The Brewers put their division-clinching celebration at Wrigley on their media information cowl.
He makes his first begin of the season Friday in what could possibly be a symbolic Opening Day begin for the staff if sparks one thing.
Quintana, who pitched 4 innings in aid of Darvish final week in Texas, has a 1.62 profession ERA towards the Brewers – 1.55 in six begins at Miller Park (4-1 report).
The final time he noticed the Brewers, he pitched 5 sturdy innings within the division tiebreaker received by Milwaukee after he left the sport.
Maybe the feelings of the rivalry will stir some dormant embers within the reeling Cubs – it doesn’t matter what Cole Hamels thought the Cubs-Brewers “rivalry” final September.
“I’ve been in rivalries. They’re not going to like me for the comment, but you can look at ticket sales,” Hamels stated – simply earlier than the Brewers chased down the Cubs.
He pitches Saturday.