Cubs win fueled by Cole while Jimenez lives up to White Sox hype

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After an absolutely brutal start to the season, skies are lightening up for the Cubs.  Cole Hamels pitched a beauty of a game for Cubs, going eight innings and allowing only a solo home run to Albert Pujols as the Cubs prevailed 5-1.  Hamels was backed by two homers from Willson Contreras as well as round trippers from Anthony Rizzo and David Bote.  It was a nice, low stress win for the Cubs.

Work quickly and throw strikes, what a concept!

Hamels had great command and worked quickly, allowing only four hits and no walks.  He struck out struck six and was generally in control throughout the game.  Brandon Kintzler worked a boring ninth for the Cubs.  To clarify, boring is good.

Hamels performance comes on the heels of a seven shutout innings effort by Jose Quintana and a start by Yu Darvish wherein he wasn’t terrible.

The Morrow of the story 

Going into the season I thought the Cubs starting rotation would be their edge in the NL Central race.  That still looks to be the case.  The pen was in shambles until very recently, but has been coming around.  The return of Brandon Morrow in May (hopefully) will be a huge help.

A homer for each L

Willson Contreras’ two home runs were mirror images of each other.  Each was a titanic blast onto Waveland Ave.  Willson looked so lost at the plate the second half of last season I wondered if something had jumped the tracks with him.  The way he’s looked at the plate early on has done a lot to alleviate those fears.  I am, however concerned about Kris Bryant.  

Jimenez's at bats were the bombs

As for the White Sox, as I’m writing this they are in a rain delay in the top of the seventh in New York and lead the Yankees by a score of 9-6.  Regardless of the outcome of the game, it will be remembered as the game Eloy Jimenez hit his first TWO home runs. Maybe he’ll hit more before tonight is over but his two bombs to center field in Yankee Stadium were impressive.

My kingdom for a horse in the rotation

The Sox aren’t totally devoid of talent.  Jimenez figures to be a star and Moncada has a chance to do the same.  Tim Anderson looks to have a fairly high ceiling and Abreu is a solid bat at first.  The key to the Sox progress, however, is their starting pitching.  Lucas Giolito wasn’t impressive tonight and Reynaldo Lopez hasn’t been impressive all year.  Carlos Rodon has ace potential but hasn’t delivered.  When will we see Dylan Cease?