Once again, we get some WGN TV action today, with the Cubs/A’s game being called by Len and JD. Over/under on Javier Baez homers is two. Maybe since he’s been cut from big league camp, he’ll go for the cycle today instead of a lame homer-binge. (Actually, you’d think after all of the hype that he might struggle today, trying to do too much. We’ll see what he’s got.)
The Rangers game is on WGN Radio, and it should also be on MLB.tv (there’s a Fox Southwest broadcast that should be picked up) for those of you with a subscription.
The big story today, other than seeing what Baez can do for an encore of an encore, is Scott Baker getting his first Cactus League start, and it’s in the game you can watch on WGN. He’s not going to start the year off the DL, so it’s not about that – but you’d like to see him look healthy, with that velocity maybe starting to tick over into the 90/91 range.
Carlos Villanueva starts for the Cubs against the Rangers in Vegas.
Lineup versus the Rangers:
1. Luis Valbuena, 3B
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Nate Schierholtz, RF
5. Scott Hairston, CF
6. Dioner Navarro, DH
7. Darnell McDonald, LF
8. Brad Nelson, 1B
9. J.C. Boscan, C
Lineup versus A’s:
1. David DeJesus, DH
2. Javier Baez, SS
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Brent Lillibridge, CF
6. Dave Sappelt, RF
7. Welington Castillo, C
8. Christian Villanueva, 3B
9. Alberto Gonzalez, 2B (he sure is getting a lot of playing time)