BOX SCORE

The Chicago Cubs exploded offensively Monday night in the first MLB game in West Sacramento, Calif.

They followed it up with another strong output at the plate, as they beat the Athletics 7-4 to take the three-game set – their first series win of the year – and improve to 4-4.

[READ: Cubs’ plans for ‘Torpedo’ bats in 2025 and beyond]

Here are three observations from Sutter Health Park:

True superstar

We’ll try to promise that Kyle Tucker won’t have his dedicated section in these takeaways every day. But if the Cubs’ new slugger keeps hitting like this, we can’t.

It’s not supposed to be this easy to hit a baseball, nevermind crush it as Tucker has. He hit a solo home run in the third inning to mark his fourth consecutive game with a long ball – the first time he’s done that in his eight-year major league career. He also had a lead-off double in the seventh and scored two batters later.

But if you’re still wondering whether Tucker is a top-five hitter as his numbers the last few years suggest, just look at what happened in the fourth inning.

With first base open and one out, the A’s opted to intentionally walk Tucker rather than let him cause damage. It was the right decision – Luis Severino struck out the next two hitters to wiggle out of a bases-loaded jam – but it showcases what the league thinks of Tucker.

Tucker wields a game-changing bat, and he already has elevated the Cubs’ offense just eight games into the 2025 season.

Gutsy start

Tuesday’s game won’t be filed under “Solid Justin Steele Outings.” No, the Cubs left-hander has enough of a major league track record and turned in games more memorable than this one.

But, man, did Steele show his moxie. His outing teetered on the edge of disaster, but he twice squirmed out of danger, and he exited the game with two outs in the seventh.

The Cubs’ offense had another fast start, staking Steele to a 3-0 lead before he even fired his first pitch. Five batters later, though, it was a one-run game with the potential tying run in scoring position after a two-run homer and two singles. Steele induced a popout and a groundout to escape the jam.

Steele surrendered another two-run shot two innings later to make it 5-4, but he again picked up the final two outs to finish the frame. He buckled down after that and allowed just two hits over the next 3.2 innings.

The lefty didn’t look like he’d pitch deep early in the contest, but he picked up 20 outs for Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who could rest many of his bullpen arms, as he did Monday night.

The home runs are a worrisome trend, though. Steele already has permitted five this season after allowing 12 all of last year. It’s one area to watch over Steele’s next few outings.

Bullpen performance

The moment Steele exited the game, it understandably became a nerve-racking time for Cubs fans. That’s what happens after they experienced the 2024 season and an up-and-down 2025 start that was highlighted by Sunday’s four-run blown lead in the eighth.

The relief corps provided a rather stress-free night in the win.

Julian Merryweather picked up the final out in the seventh, and Porter Hodge-Ryan Pressly leverage tandem picked up the final six outs.

Hodge allowed a lead-off walk but produced a double play and a fly out in the eighth. Tyler Soderstrom led off the ninth with a single, but Pressly, too, hunkered down, inducing a flyout and a game-ending double play to seal the win.

It’s clear who is in Counsell’s circle of trust. Pressly is the closer, and Hodge owns the eighth, but Merryweather is developing into a spot. He was a key reliever for former Cubs manager David Ross in 2023, striking out 98 in 72 innings with a 3.38 ERA. Injuries curtailed Merryweather last season, but if he’s healthy, he could be a difference-making bullpen arm.

Sure, Cubs fans will stress for the next few close games when the bullpen takes over. That’s what happens when you start a season the way they have. But the makings of a solid bullpen are there. It just needs some time to come together.