Fowler and Heyward Highlight an Otherwise Forgettable Game

There’s not a whole lot you can take away from an 8-3 loss to the D-backs in which 27 Cubs players — 18 position players and nine pitchers — saw action. These contests are more about getting guys into the rhythm of playing games, so there’s absolutely zero focus on the final outcome. But that doesn’t mean everything that happens on the field is meaningless.

Seeing Dexter Fowler drill a line drive solo home run in the top of the 3rd inning was certainly a welcome sight, even if it did represent the Cubs’ final tally of the afternoon

And then there was Jason Heyward flashing that touted defense with a little deke and then a frozen rope of a throw that looked like it might have had hair on it. Or at least a vestigial tail of some sort.

I wanted to include Albert Almora in here as well, but his leadoff double in the 9th didn’t merit a video highlight. Nor, it appears, did his diving grab on the track in Saturday’s game. I know I’m banging out a monotonous tune on this drum, but I really like what this young man brings to the table. If Almora can continue to show improvement at the plate in AAA and if, as expected, Dexter Fowler actually leaves for more than just a few months at the conclusion of the season, I believe the centerfield job will be his.