Spring Training Battlewatch: March 3, 2009

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Oakland Athletics! Or something. It doesn’t matter. On to what does matter: the positional, rotational, and bullpen…onal battles.

  • Not much on the positional front. Jake Fox raked, again. Probably doesn’t matter, as he’s going to have to play ridiculous defense (relatively speaking) at third to make the team. He played first in this one, for what it’s worth.
  • Sean Marshall looked brilliant in three innings of work. He already had the inside track on the fifth starter spot, but his track just got insidier.
  • Luis Vizcaino and Neil Cotts looked good in efforts to secure bullpen spots.
  • Youngster, and recent first round pick, Andrew Cashner – a longshot to do anything with the big club this year – got smacked around in his first outting. Oldster Mike Stanton got some of the same.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

    Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

    I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

    MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

    If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

    Cubs with a Flurry of Roster Moves Involving SIX Players

    We've been trying to piece this series of Cubs roster moves together all day, but we didn't have the full picture until now. There are a lot of moving parts - and we already have a dedicated article on the...

    Kyle Hendricks Departs the Rotation By Way of the Injured List

    The Chicago Cubs were in a rough spot with starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks, whose performance this year has featured a worst-case-scenario mix of execution struggles, too many balls in play, and a sprinkling of bad luck. And since no one...

    REPORT: Cubs to DFA Garrett Cooper

    Garrett Cooper DFA — Earlier today, Tommy Birch caught word of Matt Mervis and Hayden Wesneski making their way up to Chicago, though no one has had the corresponding moves just yet. What we do know is that Wesneski would...

    Latest News

    James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

    It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

    Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13), with Jordan Montgomery on the hill and aiming to avoid a sweep, visit the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) who will start Kyle Gibson, at 1:15 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details...

    How to Watch Yankees vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

    The New York Yankees (15-8), with Clarke Schmidt on the mound, host the Oakland Athletics (9-14) who will hand the ball to Joseph Boyle, at 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (8-13), with Joe Ryan on the mound, host the Chicago White Sox (3-19) who will hand the ball to Garrett Crochet, at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Minnesota-Chicago matchup below.When...

    How to Watch Cubs vs. Astros: Live Stream or on TV

    In a series opener on Wednesday, Jameson Taillon will start for the Chicago Cubs (13-9) against Spencer Arrighetti and the Houston Astros (7-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Wrigley Field.See how to watch the Chicago-Houston matchup...

    Blue Jays vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Yariel Rodriguez will take the ball for the Toronto Blue Jays (13-10) when they visit starter Alec Marsh and the Kansas City Royals (13-10) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 7:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything...

    The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

    If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

    Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

    I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

    Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

    Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

    Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

    Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

    more cubs news