Jose Quintana is no longer with the Cubs, but Eloy Jimenez and Dylan Cease are still with the White Sox and they’re both playing today.
Cease takes the mound this afternoon in what’ll be his 2021 Cactus League debut, following a pretty disappointing (well, for him … I can’t say I’m terribly broken up about it) short 2020 season: 4.01 ERA, 6.36 FIP; 17.3 K%, 13.3 BB%. Last year, Cease saw his walk rate rise (right alongside his average launch angle and exit velocity), as his strikeout rate plummeted. He was hit harder more often than ever, to boot, with even more line drives and fly balls than his first season. Dan Szymborski (he, the creator of ZiPS) still sees a path for a breakout year in 2022, but suffice it to say, Cease, 25, is walking a much finer line now than he was a year ago.
On the Cubs side, Alec Mills is taking the ball for his third Cactus League start of the year, and things have gone well for him so far (4.1 IP, 3H, 1ER, 2BB, 2Ks). I’m guessing the Cubs will hope he can go at least 3.0 full innings today, if not a little more.
In the lineup, you’ll find Ian Happ leading off once again, followed by Willson Contreras, and homer-hungry Joc Pederson:
Joc Pederson is tied with Joey Gallo for the most Spring Training home runs at the moment, by the way (5 HRs). #MVPconfirmed
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) March 15, 2021
The presumed fourth and fifth outfielders follow, with Jake Marisnick actually making his Cactus League debut. He did get into a B-game, already, and there’s still plenty of time for him to ramp up, but I would still expect to see him in a disproportionately high number of lineups over the next week or two – just to catch up.
This game, which is at the Sox park, Camelback Ranch, is not on Marquee, but will be aired on MLB.com with audio broadcast on ESPN-1000. The Cubs are back at home and on Marquee tomorrow against the Padres for a late-night game.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (7-5) at Chicago White Sox (3-8) – Monday, March 15th, at 3:05 CT on MLB.com, ESPN-1000
Starting Pitchers
White Sox: Dylan Cease (R)
versus
Cubs: Alec Mills (R)
Chicago Cubs:
1. Ian Happ, CF
2. Willson Contreras, C
3. Joc Pederson, LF
4. Cameron Maybin, DH
5. Jake Marisnick, RF
6. David Bote, 2B
7. Eric Sogard, SS
8. Matt Duffy, 1B
9. Ildemaro Vargas, 3B
Chicago White Sox:
1. Adam Eaton, RF
2. Yasmani Grandal, DH
3. Jose Abreu, 1B
4. Yoan Moncada, 3B
5. Eloy Jimenez, LF
6. Luis Robert, CF
7. Leury Garcia, 2B
8. Jonathan Lucroy, C
9. Danny Mendick, SS