Let’s take a look at some of the latest MLB news and notes, including the hex the Detroit Tigers have over the St. Louis Cardinals in spring training. Also, the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox keep winning and Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres says he is ready for the World Baseball Classic despite talk of a calf injury.
St. Louis Cardinals news: Detroit Tigers keep handing out the losses
When it comes to facing the Tigers in spring training, the Cardinals are still trying to figure out how to shake off the bad mojo against the team, especially when the squad travels to Detroit’s spring training home in Lakeland.
On Tuesday, Detroit posted a 16-3 win over St. Louis. While spring training results often hold no relevance for the regular season, there is an interesting note that comes with this St. Louis loss. From 2006 until the present, the Cardinals are just 4-11-1 over their previous 16 spring training games against the Tigers, including a 1-7 record in Lakeland.
The only time during that span the Cardinals have posted a road spring training win over the Tigers was on March 16, 2011, as Albert Pujols (who had some pretty memorable pitching moments as well) hit a grand slam to help push St. Louis to a 9-6 win.
MLB news: Juan Soto of San Diego Padres still planning to play in WBC
According to a tweet from Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune, it seems that Soto is still on track to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic despite not playing in a spring training game since March 2 with a calf injury.
Juan Soto ran this morning, continuing to test calf.
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) March 7, 2023
He maintains he is 100%.
“They don’t want to take any risk,” he said.
Expectation is if things continue to go well, he’ll join Dominican Republic team in Florida by Friday. DR’s 1st game is Saturday.
MLB news: Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox keep winning
The Cubs won their seventh consecutive spring training game on Tuesday with a 9-6 road victory over the Texas Rangers. Chicago secured the victory thanks in part to one of the best defensive plays of the spring so far from Pete Crow-Armstrong.
PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JJoSi2aiH9
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) March 7, 2023
During Chicago’s win streak, the Cubs have scored five or more runs in five of the games, proving it is more than just defense carrying the Cubs this spring.
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox moved to 8-0 this spring with a 10-2 demolition of the Atlanta Braves. The biggest win of the spring so far, however, might be that Justin Turner escaped Monday’s scary scene without major injury after being hit in the face with a fastball.
Thanks to everyone for all the messages and prayers! I’m feeling very fortunate to come out of yesterday with no breaks & all my chiclets in tact. The @RedSox medical staff and @Lee_Health have been absolutely amazing & I’m going to be back out on the field as soon as possible!
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) March 7, 2023