Improved box score: Cubs 3, Padres 1 – 4 April 2025

It was not until April. It is not supposed to be so stressful.

After Shota Imanaga (7.1 IP) and Porter Hodge (0.2) delivered eight windy sleeves, Cubs Closer Ryan Presly did not. Again. Of course, he technically did the job (… on 33 throws), but he was once again wild, was hit and allowed the game race to start scoring. It was the first time all day long that the paadres even had a striker with two runners.

I know that the press has much more experience than wearing Hodge, but the latter looks so much clearer than the first right now. And I don’t have patience for that. Worse, the ridiculously difficult calendar at the start of the season leaves no blown matches.

And if you say “everything is fine, it ends well”, not quite. Consider this: Due to the problem, he found himself at the pressure, Craig Counsell had to get some readers in the pen (including Julian Merryweather, who was not available in a key place this season for this exact reason). It’s just not good and the cubs cannot afford to let it understand in backup situations. I don’t expect – at all to change this soon. But I’m going to beat this drum if it continues much longer.

Okay, enough negatives! The Cubs had just opened Wrigley Field with their fourth consecutive victory, eliminating the undefeated San Diego Padres in the process.

Shota Imanaga (the player of Ankin’s law “Make It Pesonal” of the game) was again excellent, the defense shone very brilliantly, and the team walked (7) more than she knows (5).

Despite the loading of the bases a few times, the Cubs did not set up large offensive sleeves, but they did just enough to do the work. And again, defense and pitching have really shone. I remember several large defensive pieces of Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ and Matt Shaw, in particular, which is super to see.

It’s four consecutive victories, continue to roll tomorrow.

Complete box score.