Today the Chicago Cubs welcome the Seattle Mariners to Hohokam Park, for their fifth game of Spring Training. The Cubs are an even 2-2 on the Spring.
We’ll finally get to see (well, hear, as the case may be) big starter Chris Volstad in a game, acquired this Winter for Carlos Zambrano. Volstad, 25, is quietly becoming a favorite of pitching coach Chris Bosio, but he faces a stiff rotation competition (especially now with Jeff Samardzija growing rapidly on manager Dale Sveum). Kerry Wood (Spring debut), Carlos Marmol, and Rule 5 pick Lendy Castillo may also see action today.
The game is at 2:05 CT, and will be broadcast (radio-style) on Cubs.com, featuring Len Kasper.
The lineup features a number of regulars, particularly at the top – in fact, the top five are all starters in a plausible order for Opening Day (just plausible):
1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Marlon Byrd, CF
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Ian Stewart, 3B
5. Alfonso Soriano, LF
6. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
7. Jeff Baker, 2B
8. Reed Johnson, DH
9. Welington Castillo, C