3 Takeaways Form The Cubs Opening Day Loss to the Rangers

As the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

That couldn't be more true for the Chicago Cubs, who started the 2024 season the same way they ended the 2023 season: with a heartbreaking loss. At least the Opening Day heartbreaker was a 4-3 loss to the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers. The fact that the Cubs were able to keep the game close and force it into extra innings was surprising since many didn't give them a chance in this game.

After opening day, plenty was learned and confirmed about what the 2024 Cubs can be. Here are three of the major takeaways.

1. Christopher Morel Starts Off Hot

Third basemen Christopher Moral started off the season making great contact with the ball. His first at-bat of the season was a triple that became the Cubs' first run of the season when Dansby Swanson hit a sacrifice fly to bring him in. In Morel's next plate appearance, he reached base after hitting a single.

Morel's other three at-bats ended in a ground out, strike out, and a fly out. While it's not ideal for hitters not to reach base, Morel at least made contact and put the ball in play in four of his first five plate appearances. The consistent contact he made at the plate against the Rangers seems to have carried over from the end of last season. Morel's consistent contact should help the Cubs' offense find more success early in the season.