10 Observations: Sampson Struggles, Cubs Rally Past Giants in Spring Training Opener

3. Adrian Sampson will need to improve off Saturday's showing if he wants to have a legitimate shot at the Cubs' fifth starter role. The big right-hander gave up three home runs, including back-to-back long balls in the fourth inning. He ultimately couldn't get through his two innings of work, allowing three hits, four earned runs, and striking out just one.

4. I'm normally not a fan of in-game interviews, but Ian Happ spoke with Marquee Sports Network about his experience with the new pitch clock in the top of the second inning. Happ, who drew a two-out walk in the bottom half of the first inning, was running on the 3-2 pitch to Cody Bellinger and was clearly still winded from then running to field his position in left field.

"It felt a little quicker," he said on having the pitch clock in place for his at-bat. "You're just aware that there's a timer, I think that's the biggest difference. You're aware there's a penalty."

5. Pete Crow-Armstrong drew a lead-off walk and promptly stole second base. Matt Mervis followed with a walk, before a wild pitch and Jared Young's two-run single brought the Cubs back within one. Two batters later, Yonathan Perlaza singled home Young, tying the game at five. The Cubs would go on to plate four more in what was a seven-run fifth inning.

6. Speaking of Mervis, the organization's 2022 Minor League Player of the Year, came into the game for Trey Mancini in the fifth inning. In his second plate appearance, the 24-year-old smoked a liner into right field off left-hander Daniel Tillo. Mervis hit .268 off lefties last season.

7. David Bote began his spring on a positive note, sending an 0-1 pitch for a three-run home run to almost dead center in the bottom half of the fifth inning. The 29-year-old was limited to just 41 games last year and didn't make his season debut until late June because of a shoulder injury. Bote will need to have a strong spring to earn a depth role on the Cubs roster.

8. With his health at the forefront, Brennen Davis is one of my key storylines to keep tabs on this spring. A late replacement for Seiya Suzuki, the 23-year-old sent a rocket down the third base line in the second inning. Giants third baseman Casey Schmitt had trouble fielding it initially. However, the throw to first beat Davis, who looked like he thought the ball was headed into the outfield and was beginning to turn toward second. Had he run through the bag, he would have easily been safe. In the fourth inning, Davis drew a four-pitch walk.

9. Saturday's opener was a rough day for Christopher Morel. After replacing Ian Happ in the bottom of the fourth inning, he struck out in his first three at-bats, all swinging strikeouts. However, Morel salvaged his day with a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning, plating the team's 10th and final run.

10. Vinny Nittoli impressed in his only inning of work. After allowing a leadoff triple, the 32-year-old journeyman struck out the next two batters before inducing a groundout to third base to end the inning.