(670 The Score) The Cubs returned to Wrigley Field on Monday afternoon after a disheartening 2-7 start, and everything seemed to click in a 10-0 win against the Pirates in the home opener. For a day, the Cubs looked like the team many expected in 2019.
Let's check out the good and the bad of late.
THREE UP
1.) Seven heaven for the bullpen
Cubs left-hander Jon Lester left with no outs in the top of the third inning in his start Monday afternoon due to hamstring tightness, meaning the bullpen would be tasked with the rest of the game. Four relievers delivered, combining for seven shutout innings and allowing four hits, while walking two and striking out eight.
Brad Brach, Brandon Kintzler, Randy Rosario and Pedro Strop stepped in for Lester and finished out the victory. After an abysmal start, the Cubs bullpen dropped its ERA to 6.92, which now ranks 23rd in MLB.
2.) You Zo, we go?
The Cubs have been searching for an answer at the lead-off spot since letting Dexter Fowler walk in free agency after the 2016 season. Manager Joe Maddon has turned to veteran Ben Zobrist this season, and the early results have been strong.
Zobrist has a .448 on-base percentage in six games and 29 plate appearances out of the lead-off spot. He holds a career .351 on-base percentage as the first batter of the game. While Maddon has said he will continue to give Zobrist regular rest, it seems the Cubs have their lead-off man set for the season.
3.) Oppo Schwarbomb
On Monday, Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber saw a pitch from Pirates left-hander Steven Brault drop across the zone and crushed it 411 feet to the bleachers in left-center field. It was a sign of improvement from Schwarber, who has adjusted his swing against left-handed pitchers.
He's now crouching his stance and keeping his hands back to take left-handed pitchers to the opposite field. The result is a 2-for-8 start with the homer and two RBIs against southpaws this season.
THREE DOWN
1.) Hammy whammy
The grimace on Lester's face was clear as he crossed home plate Monday afternoon. He wasn't feeling right, and manager Joe Maddon noticed that as he returned to the mound for the top of the third inning. Lester experienced left hamstring tightness and soon exited.
Lester will miss at least his next start -- against the Angels at Wrigley Field on Sunday -- and perhaps one more, Maddon confirmed on 670 The Score on Tuesday. Lester was set to have an MRI on Tuesday, after which more details would be known.
The Cubs are expected to place Lester on the injured list for the time being. He has started at least 31 games in 11 straight seasons.
2.) Almora starts slow
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein knows well that April statistics can be fickle. The Cubs are hoping that's the case for center fielder Albert Almora Jr., who's off to a slow start.
Through 10 games and 35 plate appearances, Almora is 7-for-32 and has a slash line of .219/.265/.219. While it's early, this is disappointing for Almora, given the Cubs are offering him the chance to finally take over as their everyday center fielder after demoting Ian Happ to Triple-A Iowa to open the season.
3.) Chatwood scuffling in second chance
The Cubs had no choice but to carve out a role for right-hander Tyler Chatwood, who's in the second season of a three-year, $38-million deal. That has come in the bullpen -- and so far with rough results.
Chatwood has pitched five innings in three games, surrendering four earned runs four walks in that span. The bright spot was that Chatwood didn't walk a batter during his two innings of work against the Braves last Thursday, and he followed by throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings against the Brewers on Sunday.
Chatwood is a candidate to start in place of Lester against the Angels on Sunday.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
