PITTSBURGH — Small sample sizes are misleading and many have already turned themselves into pretzels watching the Cubs’ start to the 2021 season. While it is far too early to make any definitive statements on who this Cubs team is, some things stood out over the team’s first week that should remain on everyone’s radar.
Here are two major takeaways from the first week of the regular season:
The real Kris Bryant has returned
Nobody knew which version of Kris Bryant the Cubs would be getting this season and going into what may be his last in a Cubs uniform, through the first week of the regular season, Bryant looks like he’s gotten his swagger back.
Bryant’s entire demeanor at the plate is different than the player who played just 34 games last season. Not only does Bryant appear to be healthier than he was in 2020, but there’s a quiet confidence that he’s going to do damage.
“The ball has been coming off nice and loud from where I’m sitting,” manager David Ross said. “He looks like he’s extremely comfortable and getting off some really good swings and also taking some really good walks against some tough pitchers. I think Kris is in a good place.”
Bryant has a 14.3% walk rate through his seven games and is seeing four pitches per plate appearance, but it’s not just the peripherals that make Bryant’s first week so intriguing. It’s also the quality of the at-bats that have been there since the season began.
The 29-year-old third baseman is not only drawing his fair share of walks, but taking the ball to the opposite field with authority is also a positive sign of a player who is comfortable at the plate.
“Early on in the season, it’s good to get walks,” Bryant said. “You’re a little anxious to get the season going, you kind of want to jump out and get your hits, but taking the walks is just as important. Especially for me, when I feel anxious I’m reaching for balls and chasing things out of the zone, I’m not taking a walk. So you know, just to be patient at the plate this early in the season is a good feeling.”
Revamped rotation answering the bell early
It was the biggest question mark going into the season and so far, the Cubs’ starting rotation has been impressive. New additions Jake Arrieta, Zach Davies and Trevor Williams, have pitched well their first time through the rotation and given their offense a chance.
“It’s nice,” Ross said. “We got a long season to go, but you’re right it’s nice and refreshing for the new guys to perform and all the things that we expect that they can do, to have them go out and do it and really look nice and clean and sharp and throwing strikes.
“I think the additions we made were maybe a little under the radar, but it’s nice for them to get off a good start in a Cubs uniform and I look at a lot of confidence in those guys. Being able to handle the environment their first time out there on the bump in the field with fans back in the stands, it’s nice to see them handle that.”
Williams flirted with history during his first start and Davies had a successful debut as well. But Arrieta’s start to the season may be huge for the rotation’s success. The 35-year-old right-hander is 2-0 with 2.25 ERA and two quality starts.
The Cubs don’t need Arrieta to be a Cy Young level for his second tenure in Chicago to be a success, but they do need competent innings, which he’s provided.
Arrieta has been critical of his stuff over his first two starts, but the fact that he’s been able to get through two starts without his entire repertoire should give him and the Cubs confidence that there’s more to come the rest of the season.
“It’s only gonna get better,” Arrieta said.
