Central Intelligence: A Look Around the Division for the Week of 2/19
Spring Training has kicked off in full force, as every team started games this week. Games will continue for a little over a month before the season officially kicks off on April 2nd. There was a lot of action across the NL Central, so here’s a quick look around the week that was in the division.
Chicago Cubs
- Played two split-squad games, with team 1 losing to the Giants 8-6 and team 2 defeating the A’s, 4-3.
- Mike Montgomery and Rob Zastryzny started the games, pitching one inning each.
- Re-signed Pedro Strop to a $5.85M contract extension for 2018 with a $6.25M club option for 2019.
St. Louis Cardinals
- Lost their first Spring Training game, 8-7 against the Marlins.
- Dexter Fowler scored twice, along with two walks atop the Cardinals order.
- Signed Cuban outfielder Jose Adolis Garcia to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.
Pittsburgh Pirates
- Swept their first two split-squad games, 6-2 over the Orioles and 7-2 over the Rays.
- Gregory Polanco paced the Buccos, going 3-3 with 2 RBI, not bad for the first time seeing in-game pitching in months.
- Set the first three members of their rotation for 2017. Ace Gerrit Cole leads the way, followed by young hotshot Jameson Taillon and Ivan Nova.
Milwaukee Brewers
- Got shut out in their first Spring game, dropping a 2-0 decision against the Angels.
- One bright spot was the Brewers pitching. As a collective staff, they only gave up five hits over 8 innings, with six strikeouts.
- Played an exhibition game with UW-Milwaukee, winning 11-0.
Cincinnati Reds
- Dropped their first two spring games, 6-4 to the Giants on Thursday and 8-2 to the defending American League Champions Cleveland Indians.
- Tagged a few runs on Madison Bumgarner in one inning of work.
- Eugenio Suarez was a bright spot, going 2-3 with a home run against the Indians.
