NEWSLETTER
Finally, we have a live TV game. Today’s split squad matchup in Glendale against the White Sox will be on WGN TV, assuming you can stomach the White Sox broadcast team. Hey, man, it’s worth it. (And, if you can’t stomach it, you could put the game on mute, and listen to it on Cubs.com/MLB.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillespie (the game is also on The Score).)
The Cubs’ other split squad game is in Mesa against Team Japan, who is getting some practice in as they await the next round of the WBC. That’s probably the game you’d rather see on TV (not just for the Team Japan thing, but also because, well, check out the lineup below), but beggars can’t be choosers. Plus, given the vast international interest in Team Japan, it’s possible there’ll be a feed of the game somewhere online.
Scott Feldman starts against the White Sox, and Travis Wood gets Team Japan. The latter is a very serious and good team, so, again, don’t be surprised if the Cubs struggle.
Dan Vogelbach gets an actual start in today’s game against Japan (like I said, how much do you wish that game was televised?), which says a lot about how highly he’s regarded by the Cubs as a prospect. Minor league players are often brought along for split squad action, and, yeah, sometimes they start. But the Cubs have plenty of other guys to observe at first base this Spring (they’re still trying to figure out who Anthony Rizzo’s backup will be), and they’re giving this start to Vogelbach. It’s quite cool. Man, I just made myself even more bummed this one isn’t televised.
(You can follow the Cubs/Japan game on MLB.com’s Gameday thing, though.)
Lineup versus the White Sox:
1. Luis Valbuena, 3B
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Nate Schierholtz, RF
5. Scott Hairston, DH
6. Dioner Navarro, C
7. Brian Bogusevic, LF
8. Darnell McDonald, CF
9. Brad Nelson, 1B
Lineup versus Team Japan:
1. David DeJesus, CF
2. Javier Baez, SS
3. Welington Castillo, C
4. Alfonso Soriano, DH
5. Dave Sappelt, LF
6. Josh Vitters, 3B
7. Jorge Soler, RF
8. Dan Vogelbach, 1B
9. Alberto Gonzalez, 2B
(Brett Jackson was also going to be in this prospect-heavy lineup, but he was scratched with “minor” soreness in his throwing shoulder. We’ll follow up on that one later … )
