Cubs-Padres is tomorrow at 2:10pm CT, with Kyle Hendricks making the start. We’ve also got an early look at the lineup, via Patrick Mooney.
Cubs lineup for Monday’s Cactus League opener:
Anthony Rizzo
Willson Contreras
Joc Pederson
Javier Báez
Cameron Maybin
David Bote
Ildemaro Vargas
Ian Miller
P.J. HigginsKyle Hendricks and Adbert Alzolay (Tuesday) will start the first two exhibition games in Arizona.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) February 28, 2021
Here’s how much you can take away from who gets the start in the first Cactus League game: zero. For now, a lotta guys are gonna get starts and at bats, and whether it’s Bote at second or Vargas at second in that group – for example – it isn’t really telling you anything.
Nice to see P.J. Higgins get the first start behind the plate, though. Not because it MEANS anything, but because you would love for him to emerge this year as a viable third catcher and possible back-up in 2022. He’s got a bat that could be average or better in the big leagues, and he’s versatile enough to play the corner infield spots, too. Really nice back-up catcher profile over the next few years, potentially.
I’m not saying people aren’t happy to see Cubs players getting after it in practice – the final just-practice day before Spring Training games begin – but I think most of the joy associated with the day was courtesy of Anthony Rizzo’s wiener dog, Kevin:
Kevin Rizzo joins the team for a biiiiiiiiiig stretch. pic.twitter.com/6Ca89jO5Wq
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1366081602242023425
It’s Kevin’s world, we’re just living in it. pic.twitter.com/GtWPHEEs59
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) February 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1366199927487877121
View this post on Instagram
The two are not necessarily an obvious pitching style fit together, but Miller has historically been a big-time control guy, so there’s that:
https://twitter.com/Tyson_Miller07/status/1366114236942872577
There’s also the simple fact that anyone can learn something from Kyle Hendricks. I could probably learn some fancy accounting tip.
Baseball got underway for most non-Cubs teams today, which included the Washington Nationals and new left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who immediately showed something he does exceptionally well:
Schwarber already showing off his defense pic.twitter.com/6LUDRlvjeX
— OPT (@OnePursuitTakes) February 28, 2021
Deals deals deals:
Baseball is back and these shirts are $15 with free shipping. https://t.co/X7IcoesrzQ pic.twitter.com/AXWMcnBdf8
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) March 1, 2021
Great shot of Brennen Davis lookin’ cool:
View this post on Instagram
Over with the Orioles, the return of baseball meant the return of Trey Mancini, who had been battling colon cancer over the past year:
.@TreyMancini got a hit in his first at bat back from colon cancer.
You love to see it. #BiggerThanBaseball pic.twitter.com/An6pmDhMtW
— MLB (@MLB) February 28, 2021
https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/1366178095213010953