NEWSLETTER
Edwin Jackson makes his Spring debut today, and he’ll be under way too much scrutiny than is reasonable for a Cactus League start. But, them’s the breaks after a couple deeply disappointing seasons at the outset of his big contract with the Cubs. Jackson is fighting to win a job at the back of the Cubs’ rotation, or perhaps for a job on another team if the Cubs find a taker.
Kyle Hendricks is due to make his first Spring appearance at some point in the game, as well. Unlike Jackson, Hendricks’ spot in the rotation is all but assured.
Former Cub Andrew Cashner is scheduled to start for the Padres, and he’ll face the man for whom he was traded, Anthony Rizzo, who is batting third for the first time this Spring. He’d previously been in the two hole.
Today’s game is not available via video, but the audio will be on Cubs.com (free, I believe, if you sign up for an MLB.com account, and log in), and Gameday Audio (which you can get separately, or get it included with MLB.tv).
The Cubs lineup:
- Dexter Fowler, CF
- Chris Denorfia, RF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Miguel Montero, DH
- Mike Olt, 3B
- David Ross, C
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Jonathan Herrera, 2B
Another start for Mike Olt, who is getting plenty of tie in the early going. The Rizzo-Castro-Montero trio appear in a row and in that order again, as they have each time they’ve played in the same game.
My flight’s due to land about 15 minutes before game time (if I’ve got my time zones and weekend time change calculated correctly), so I’m going to try to be ridiculous and catch a cab quickly to drop my stuff at the hotel and get over to Sloan Park before it gets too deep into the game. Cross your fingers for a prompt arrival, quick taxi access, and no traffic!
