It’s a truism that the results of spring training games don’t matter, but there’s a legitimate reason for that truism. They don’t because the games aren’t managed or played like regular-season games. They’re used for getting players prepared for the season. The preparation matters; the game results don’t.
This was never more true than for the Cubs’ 15-7 loss to the Angels Monday afternoon.
Why is that?
Because of the 14 runs allowed to the Angels, 12 of them were given up by pitchers who have exactly zero chance of making the Cubs’ Opening Day roster: Keegan Thompson, Juan Gamez and Robert Stock.