Justin Steele alleviated any concerns about his rocky start on Monday night when he went seven innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight in the Chicago Cubs’ 7-0 win over the Texas Rangers. It should not be a surprise to see some mixed results from a guy like Steele early in the season after the weird ramp-up he had with the series in Japan. Steele threw 64 of his 91 pitches for strikes, and the slider looked the best that it has all year.

Kyle Tucker, who was named National League Player of the Week on Monday, continued his scorching start with two more hits and a fly out to the warning track that would have been a home run on most days at Wrigley Field. The Cubs are not going to extend him during the year, but they should be setting aside some money to make him a massive offer when he hits free agency this offseason.

Jon Berti did not have a hit, but he showed his value as a guy off the bench in the second inning when he walked, stole second, stole third, and then scored on Ian Happ’s ground ball to first when the Rangers’ infield was playing in. Berti gives manager Craig Counsell a lot of flexibility with his ability to play both second and third. He gives Chicago some insurance for Nico Hoerner, who is coming back from offseason arm surgery, and for rookie Matt Shaw, who will inevitably struggle at times in his first Major League season.

The big inning in this one came in the sixth when the Cuns scored three runs on hits from Miguel Amaya, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ, Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki. This Cubs lineup looks to be the deepest they have had since the team that won the World Series back in 2016.

The Rangers and Cubs will do battle again on Tuesday night with Patrick Corbin on the mound for the Rangers, taking on James Taillon for the Cubs.