NEWSLETTER
Dang. Still no Frank Schwindel for the Cubs today.
In case you haven’t noticed, Schwindel has been out of the lineup for a while now, dealing with some back tightness the Cubs reportedly hoped would be clear by today. Alas. We’ll have at least one more Schwindel-less lineup this afternoon, with hope reset tomorrow.
In the meantime, that means Alfonso Rivas is penciled into the starting squad this afternoon, but it’s actually Patrick Wisdom taking the additional reps at first. With Jonthan Villar around and available to cover third base, I do wonder if the Cubs consider Wisdom a more tenable short-term replacement at first than Rivas if Schwindel was not quite healthy or up to speed to start the season. I’m probably getting way ahead of myself, because Schwindel says he’s feeling fine/better, but it’s something to consider. And, hey, Rivas does have minor league options remaining, so no issues there.
Other notable lineup decisions: More time leading off for Clint Frazier, which could be a sign of things to come … or just about him getting as many at-bats as possible. I’m guessing it’s the latter, but it’s not like the Cubs have an obvious leadoff man hanging around. It could be Frazier, or it could be Nico Hoerner, Nick Madrigal, Ian Happ, whoever’s playing center field that day, or some combination of all of them … in other words, there’s no obvious leadoff man.
It’s also nice to see Nico Hoerner grab more starts at shortstop. I don’t think we’re going to get out of a healthy dose of Andrelton Simmons (whose glove will be great, but the bat will leave MUCH to be desired), but the more Hoerner the better.
We’re also getting Drew Smyly’s re-debut with the Chicago Cubs today. Smyly figures to have an inside shot at a rotation job right out of the gate, but he’ll have to ramp up quickly to get there. As we’ve discussed, it doesn’t really matter who is “in the rotation” to start the year, because there will be a great many innings to go around until everyone is stretched out.
Game’s at 3:10, on Marquee and 670. Enjoy. Go Cubs.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (4-4-2) at San Diego Padres – Saturday, March 26 at 3:10 CT on Marquee, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Padres: Ryan Weathers (L)
versus
Cubs: Drew Smyly (L)
Chicago Cubs:
1. Clint Frazier, LF
2. Nico Hoerner, SS
3. Patrick Wisdom, 1B
4. Yan Gomes, C
5. Alfonso Rivas, DH
6. Michael Hermosillo, RF
7. Rafael Ortega, CF
8. Ildemaro Vargas, 2B
9. Christopher Morel, 3B
San Diego Padres:
1. CJ Abrams, SS
2. Jurickson Profar, LF
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Luke Voit, DH
5. Eric Hosmer, 1B
6. Victor Caraini, C
7. Nomar Mazara, RF
8. Eguy Rosario, 2B
9. Jose Azocar, CF
