It’s going to be tough for the Cubs to match last night’s craziness, but, with Jon Lester on the mound, the game might be able to match Cubs fans’ ability to panic about their starting pitcher.
Although Lester’s spring has looked plenty fine on the pitching side (despite that elbow bone issue), his throwing issues – pick offs, and plays at the bases – remain in focus. I keep hoping he’ll have a game with multiple comebackers that he fields and throws cleanly, and then it’ll just be over. I don’t think that’s ever really going to happen like that, but, hey, I’m a Cubs fan. I stack hope on top of hope for a living.
Jimmy Nelson was going to start for the Brewers in this one, but he was scratched with an illness, so it’ll be Michael Blazek instead. Hopefully the Cubs can make due, despite what were almost assuredly hours of preparation to face Nelson, specifically!
Jason Heyward gets the start in center field in this one, as the Cubs get themselves ready for all the things they’ll need to do in the regular season to achieve at a high level (for example, resting Dexter Fowler this way and getting Jorge Soler into the lineup). Versatility is only valuable if it works.
Today’s game will be broadcast on CSN. Additional video and audio of the game will also be made available on MLB.tv or through the AtBat app. For future reference, you can check which games will be televised here.
Today’s lineup vs. the Brewers (Michael Blazek)
- Ben Zobrist, 2B
- Jason Heyward, CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Jorge Soler, RF
- David Ross, C
- Munenori Kawasaki, SS
- Jon Lester, P