After an off-day – the only one of the Spring schedule – the Chicago Cubs head back out onto the diamond today against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona (not, like, “surprise: it’s Arizona!”, that’s the name of the city). The Rangers are using a split squad today, so we’ll see if the Cubs are better than half the Rangers.
Today’s game is at 3:05 CT and it’s on CSN, so you can actually watch some baseball action today. The game will also be broadcast on a delay on MLB Network. There will also be audio available on MLB.com. And, of course, we’ve got the Game Thread going over at the Message Board.
There was a transaction just a bit ago, as Andy Sonnanstine was outrighted off the 40-man roster, and sent to AAA. That could open up a spot on the 40-man for any number of non-roster guys who’ll soon be added (including, for example, Blake DeWitt and Joe Mather). Sonnanstine had long ceased looking like a legitimate threat to make the team. Now he’ll just be depth for the depth.
Matt Garza gets the start for the Cubs today, and the lineup is an interesting mix of bench guys and starters, playing in some interesting positions (including what the positions will probably look like when Starlin Castro gets a day off):
1. Darwin Barney, SS
2. Blake DeWitt, 2B
3. Alfonso Soriano, LF
4. Bryan LaHair, 1B
5. Geovany Soto, C
6. Ian Stewart, 3B
7. Joe Mather, CF
8. Steve Clevenger, DH
9. Dave Sappelt, RF