Three Takeaways from Chicago Cubs Spring Training Loss to Texas Rangers

The Chicago Cubs continued their Cactus League journey with a narrow 3–2 defeat to the reigning champions, the Texas Rangers, on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. Despite the loss dropping the Cubs to 0–2 in the spring schedule, the matchup offered valuable insights into roster battles, developmental priorities, and early-season preparation under new manager Craig Counsell.
The relaxed atmosphere of spring training often masks intense internal competition, and Saturday’s contest was no different as the Cubs fielded a lineup blending established contributors with rising prospects hoping to make a late-March impression.

The Cubs gave the starting assignment to veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd, whose presence this spring is especially notable as he continues reestablishing himself after an injury-affected 2023 campaign. Chicago also rolled out several young position players in critical spots, including Matt Shaw in right field batting leadoff and defensive standout Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field hitting second. Behind the plate, catcher Carson Kelly handled pitching duties while also batting in a premium lineup position, signaling Chicago’s interest in evaluating his offensive consistency early in camp.

Beyond that group, most of the lineup consisted of players competing for bench roles or aiming to showcase long-term potential within the organization. Prospect enthusiasts received an extra treat as highly regarded teenage shortstop Jefferson Rojas earned a starting role, a meaningful milestone in his development given his reputation as one of the Cubs’ most gifted young infielders.

Below are the three major takeaways from the Cubs’ 3–2 loss to the Rangers, each highlighting important early-spring themes for the club.

Matthew Boyd’s Shaky but Productive Afternoon

For veterans like Boyd, spring training is less about results and more about deliberate workload building, pitch-mix experimentation, and early feel. Still, Saturday’s outing offered a mixed performance that will undoubtedly serve as a reference point for the coaching staff in the coming weeks.
Boyd threw a total of 36 pitches, with an impressive 25 landing in the strike zone, demonstrating his willingness to attack hitters directly. In an environment where pitchers often feel for mechanics, his commitment to filling the zone aligned with his reputation as a fearless competitor unafraid of challenging opponents early in counts.

Across 10 Texas batters faced, Boyd logged four strikeouts, showing strong sharpness with his off-speed offerings. However, Rangers hitters also produced five hits against him, several coming off pitches left elevated in the zone. One of those hits, a well-timed swing by Sam Haggerty, drove in Texas’ first run of the game, capitalizing on Boyd’s occasional lapses in command.
Such inconsistencies are not uncommon in the early stages of camp, especially for pitchers easing back into competitive rhythm. Last year’s All-Star appearance reaffirmed Boyd’s ceiling, but Saturday emphasized the need to refine location and sequencing as March progresses and the competition toughens.

More importantly, Boyd’s outing offered Chicago’s staff a clear look at where adjustments are needed. Coaches noted his velocity sitting roughly in his expected spring range, while his slider movement showed flashes of midseason sharpness. If he can tighten command over the next few outings, he remains a viable candidate for back-end rotation innings or a flexible swingman role depending on Chicago’s evolving roster configuration.

Jonathon Long’s Injury Scare Creates Early Depth Concern

Depth is a constant priority in spring training, especially at positions where everyday starters carry high usage expectations. The Cubs project Michael Busch to handle the bulk of first-base duties this season, but with the designated hitter role shifting lineups weekly, bench depth remains critical. Players such as Moisés Ballesteros and Matt Shaw have seen cross-training opportunities, particularly with Alex Bregman now locked in at third base and reducing the positional flexibility previously built into the roster.

Jonathon Long, a non-roster invitee vying for one of Chicago’s few available bench spots, received the start at first base on Saturday. His day took an unfortunate turn in the fourth inning when Rangers outfielder Mark Canha chopped a ground ball toward Jefferson Rojas, who delivered a quick and accurate throw to first.
Long stretched to secure the out, but as he reached across the bag, Canha’s chest collided forcefully with Long’s extended left hand. The first baseman immediately recoiled in visible discomfort, clutching his wrist while a team trainer rushed onto the field to assist.

The ballpark fell momentarily silent as Long flexed his hand repeatedly, attempting to gauge the severity of the impact. After several minutes of evaluation, he walked off alongside the trainer with limited assistance, offering an encouraging sign that the injury might be minor.
Even so, for a non-roster player fighting for visibility, any physical setback — no matter how small — threatens valuable opportunities to make an impression. The Cubs are expected to monitor Long closely over the next few days, and his availability for upcoming games may determine whether he remains in legitimate contention for an Opening Day role.

In the broader picture, the scare served as a reminder of how quickly roster plans can shift during spring. Bench depth across the league often hinges on late-March evaluations, and Chicago must maintain contingency options should Long’s recovery extend longer than anticipated.

Aggressive Baserunning a Promising Early Identity Signal

The Chicago Cubs ranked third in Major League Baseball in stolen bases last season, and early indications suggest that under Counsell, they intend to double down on this aggressive, modern baserunning philosophy. Saturday’s contest further reinforced that identity, with Chicago swiping three bases in the opening innings alone.
Matt Shaw initiated the action moments after leading off the first inning, showcasing his blend of instincts and athleticism by taking second base cleanly. Although the Cubs stranded him that frame, his speed added immediate pressure to Texas pitcher Kumar Rocker, who is known for struggling to control running games.

In the second inning, Pedro Ramírez drew a walk, promptly stole second, and later crossed the plate on a well-placed single — a textbook example of how Chicago aims to manufacture runs without relying solely on power. Ramírez later added a second steal, this time against Rangers reliever Cal Quantrill, further emphasizing Chicago’s intent to keep the opposition uncomfortable at all times.
The tactical advantage of aggressive baserunning cannot be understated in tight, low-scoring contests. By creating scoring opportunities through speed and timing, the Cubs enhance their margin for error and introduce an element of chaos that forces defenses into rushed decisions.

Manager Craig Counsell, known league-wide for his strategic creativity during his time with Milwaukee, has long embraced teams that leverage mobility and pressure over stagnant station-to-station baseball. Saturday illustrated a continuation of that philosophy, with stolen bases directly leading to one Cubs run and setting up multiple scoring chances elsewhere in the game.
If Chicago maintains this pace throughout the regular season, their offensive ceiling broadens significantly. Even on days when the lineup’s power disappears, their speed could provide a consistent fallback mechanism to generate runs in high-leverage situations.

Final Thoughts

Despite falling to 0–2 in Cactus League play, the Chicago Cubs gathered meaningful information from Saturday’s matchup against the Rangers. Matthew Boyd delivered a mix of encouraging strikeout execution and location-related struggles that will help direct his next developmental steps. Jonathon Long’s brief injury scare highlighted the fragile nature of roster competitions, particularly for fringe candidates seeking to secure a bench role. Meanwhile, the Cubs’ aggressive stolen-base approach reaffirmed a strategic identity that could prove vital throughout the 2024 season.

Spring results rarely matter on the surface, but performances, trends, and health developments create the deeper narrative. Saturday’s contest served as one of those moments — a game less about the final score and more about shaping the roster and tendencies Chicago hopes to ride into Opening Day.