WATCH: Stroman Strikes Out Five in Final Spring Tuneup Ahead of Cubs Opening Day
In his first start back from the World Baseball Classic, Marcus Stroman was excellent in his final spring tuneup, striking out five over 5.2 innings.
The 31-year-old was recently named the Chicago Cubs' Opening Day starter, and it's not difficult to understand why.
Despite giving up a one-out single to Corey Seager in the top of the first inning, Stroman struck out Nathaniel Lowe before ending the inning on a groundout.
He gave up a one-out single in the second inning, which came around to score, set up by Nick Madrigal's first mistake at third base this spring. However, he was electric in the third inning, fanning Marcus Semien and Seager before getting Lowe to fly out to end the inning.
In all, Stroman pitched 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and one walk and fanning five batters.
Now, the Cubs will look for him to set the tone at Wrigley Field against the Milwaukee Brewers his next time out.
“I’m excited,” Stroman told reporters after Friday's split-squad game. “Obviously the energy at Wrigley is different. Opening Day is always a little bit more. So, I love those atmospheres. I love that energy. I’m excited. I’m excited to go out there and perform in front of that home crowd which I truly believe is the best in the league. Can’t wait to get around those fans and compete for them.”
Despite being away from the team for the majority of Spring Training, the Cubs weren't worried about Stroman ramping up his workload for the regular season.
With Team Puerto Rico, he made two starts and pitched a combined 9.0 innings while playing in a playoff-like atmosphere.
“He’s a worker, man. You don’t have to worry about him,” Cubs manager David Ross said earlier this week. “He’ll be ready.”
Stroman will look to build off his first season in Chicago, one that saw him develop into the team's ace in the second half. After the All-Star break, he posted a 2.71 ERA in 83.0 innings, fanning 65 batters with a 1.145 WHIP.
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