Cubs’ Drew Smyly adjusts arm path in spring training: ‘Fastball had way more carry’

Cubs lefty Drew Smyly identified a mechanical adjustment to make between starts. (John Antonoff / for the Sun-Times)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly was paying attention to swing-and-misses and pop-ups. His final line wasn’t pretty after allowing three runs in two-plus innings against the Rockies on Sunday. But the more important numbers to him, in his second start of spring training, were the data on his fastball and cutter. 

“This time of year, it’s like, yeah, you never want to give up hits, or especially homers, or get hit hard,” he said after his part in the Cubs’ 6-5 victory against the Rockies, “but it’s more just about trying to fine-tune my strengths, get my pitches the best I can going into the season.”