NEWSLETTER
Today, the Chicago Cubs will play baseball.
Ah. That feels so good to type.
After a second consecutive frustrating offseason, with uncomfortable trade rumors, service time grievances, and on-going television related concerns, the Chicago Cubs will finally play baseball again. The baseball won’t count – not really – and you won’t see every player you’d like to see take an at-bat or throw a pitch (and even that’s only if you are lucky enough to have a cable provider carrying Marquee), but it’s baseball and I’ll take it.
One procedural note, before we get into the players: Because of the weather out in Arizona, this afternoon’s Cubs game became tonight’s Cubs game. And that time change conflicts with the Bulls game, which means 670 The Score will not be broadcasting the Cubs first game of the spring …
Because of the time change for the #Cubs spring-opener tonight (now 7:10 CT 1st pitch), we won't be able to carry the game due to #Bulls – Suns.
We'll add another game to our spring broadcast schedule to make up for it!
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) February 22, 2020
As for the players, you’ll note that Alec Mills is starting the first game of the year and for good reason: he’s got a real shot to win that wide open fifth spot in the rotation. I tend to think Tyler Chatwood has the inside track on the job, but after finding success in a swing roll last year, David Ross may want to keep Chatwood in place. Plus, it’s not like the Cubs are overflowing with quality relief options and it’s not like we’re certain Alec Mills could succeed there the way Chatwood did. All things equal, I’d think Chatwood has more upside in the rotation – especially if he was able to keep his velocity amped and comand/control within reason – but it’s all a legitimate competition (including Adbert Alzolay, who will start the third game of the year, after Chatwood and Mills).
We haven’t really had a legit rotation competition in a while – the rotation has been full the last few years with Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels, Jose Quintana, and Chatwood taking the assigned roles and Mike Montgomery filling in every crack – so I’m excited to see this play out. It gives the spring more meaning.
As for the lineup, there’s a mix of regulars/starters and complimentary pieces, as expected, though your eyes are undoubtedly attracted to the 1-2 Bryant-Rizzo punch up top. We discussed that decision and how the lineup could fall in behind them more here.
I don’t care if they win, but I hope they play well. Go Cubs.
Game Info
Oakland A’s (0-) at Chicago Cubs (0-0) – Saturday, February 22nd at 7:10 CT on Marquee Sports Network (if you get it!)
Starting Pitchers
Athletics: A.J. Puk (L)
versus
Cubs: Alec Mills (R)
Chicago Cubs:
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Javy Baez, SS
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Willson Contreras, C
- Jason Kipnis, 2B
- Steven Souza Jr., LF
- David Bote, DH
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
