NEWSLETTER
Good timing on the lineup and MLB.tv synchronization.
Today’s game against the Indians is the first Cubs broadcast that you can watch live on MLB.tv (buy it there, and you support BN in the process – woo hoo!), and, even if you don’t do the MLB.tv thing, you can watch a replay on MLB Network at 5am CT tomorrow morning. Alternatively, you can listen live at Cubs.com if you’ve got an MLB.com account. The video broadcast is going to be the Indians crew, by the way.
And, just in time for the MLB.tv debut, the lineup, the bench, and the pitching corps today is loaded with prospects. Travis Wood makes his second Spring start, but Pierce Johnson and Corey Black are among the other pitchers scheduled to appear, together with bullpen competitors Blake Parker, Joe Ortiz, Hunter Cervenka, and Donn Roach.
Available off the bench today: Kyle Schwarber, Albert Almora, Matt Szczur, Christian Villanueva, and Cael Brockemyer, among others.
And the lineup, oh the lineup:
- Tommy La Stella, DH
- Junior Lake, LF
- Arismendy Alcantara, CF
- Jorge Soler, RF
- Javier Baez, 2B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Welington Castillo, C
- Chris Valaika, 1B
- Addison Russell, SS
Yes, that’s a lineup featuring the Cubs’ top three prospects, two of their best 2014 graduates, and Alcantara-Soler-Baez-Bryant hitting in a row. That’s fantastic.
The rest of the lineup is interesting, too: Tommy La Stella gets more work at the top of the lineup, and Junior Lake gets yet another start. Ditto Chris Valaika, who seems to be getting a very serious look for a possible utility role, depending on how the roster shakes out.
Fun game to watch today. I’ll be checking out minor league camp before this game, and then heading back to the hotel to watch.
