Travis Wood unimpressive in the game against Seattle Mariners
The Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Travis Wood had another unimpressive spell of pitching on Monday, March 19, taking up his Cactus League ERA to 25.07. Playing against the Seattle Mariners, the left-handed pitcher struggled hard to maintain his grip; but failed.
Travis Wood pitched over two innings in the game against Mariners with a hope to better the stats in the Cactus League. But when he left the ballpark, he had given up no less than seven runs – which had three homers included, coupled with seven hits and two walks.
Coming at a time when the Chicago Cubs need a strong arm in the fifth spot, Travis Wood has indeed triggered some concern in the camp. The Cubs had brought Wood with the hopes that he would lend strong support to the defence.
But the team manager did not raise much alarm bell on his underwhelming performance. This shows the poise and aplomb the manager has.
"It looked like it was coming out of his hand better," manager Dale Sveum said. "But still, it's not the full package, to be able to get through big league hitters using the changeup and throwing it for strikes and a breaking ball. I still don't think his cutter is where it needs to be and where I've seen it before. But I thought the life was there on some pitches. Just another unfortunate outing."
Monday’s game may have been a fiasco in the strict sense of the word. However, Travis Wood holds the potential to set things right. Similarly, with few games of the Cactus League left, Wood still has a favourable opportunity to be better prepared for the upcoming season.
That is what Dale Sveum thinks too. "You build him, you keep throwing him out wherever he's scheduled, whether it's a game or a Minor League game.”
With the good record that evidences his impressive credentials, whereby he won 11 games the past season with 4.18 ERA in 35 starts that he had, Wood can repeat the same performance this year. Only that he has to undertake it with more effectiveness and preparation now.
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