At 26 and with just over 100 career innings under his belt, each start is still a learning experience for Adbert Alzolay. Taking on the Phillies on Thursday, one new experience for Alzolay was working with a brand-new catcher in Robinson Chirinos.
Alzolay has developed a great rapport with regular backstop Willson Contreras, but Chirinos joined the Cubs on Monday, leaving little time to prep for working together.
“This will be a nice little mix-up for him and the normal routine,” manager David Ross said before the game.
Alzolay allowed four runs in five innings in the Cubs’ 8-0 loss.