NEWSLETTER
The Cubs have two games on tap this afternoon, one against the Diamondbacks that will not be televised (which stinks because it’s Kyle Hendricks vs. Madison Bumgarner, with James Triantos at DH) and one against the Brewers on Marquee (which is great, because it features Keegan Thompson on the mound and Ed Howard at shortstop). You win some, you lose some.
This will be Hendricks final tune-up before Opening Day at Wrigley Field next Thursday, and your only hope is that he stays healthy and looks good, results notwithstanding. As for Keegan Thompson, it seems he’s not destined for the opening day rotation, even after injuries to Adbert Alzolay and Wade Miley, but he’s going to get PLENTY of important innings early on, so the Cubs will keep him stretched out until things settle down.
Offensively, the Cubs are going with a familiar look atop the @Diamondbacks lineup, with Nick Madrigal leading off and Seiya Suzuki following up batting second. Frank Schwindel is also batting third once again, which we’ve come to expect this spring. It’s usually either him or Willson Contreras, who’s batting third in the other lineup.
Speaking of that other lineup, I think Clint Frazier might have an inside track on being the alternate leadoff hitter on games without Nick Madrigal in the lineup. At first, we thought that was just about getting as many plate appearances as possible, but now I think David Ross is actually into it. And so am I.
Pretty much everyone you expect to see on the final roster is in there somewhere today, with a few prospects and bubble guys mixed in. It’s not long now. Go Cubs.
Game 1 Info
Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks – Friday, April 1 at 3:10 CT
Starting Pitchers
Diamondbacks: Madison Bumgarner (L)
versus
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R)
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
1. Nick Madrigal, 2B
2. Seiya Suzuki, RF
3. Frank Schwindel, 1B
4. Jason Heyward, CF
5. Patrick Wisdom, 3B
6. Ian Happ, LF
7. Yan Gomes, C
8. Nico Hoerner, SS
9. James Triantos, DH
Game 2 Info
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers – Friday, April 1 at 3:10 CT on Marquee
Starting Pitchers
Brewers: Luis Perdomo (R)
versus
Cubs: Keegan Thompson (R)
Chicago Cubs:
1. Clint Frazier, LF
2. Rafael Ortega, CF
3. Willson Contreras, C
4. Jonathan Villar, 3B
5. Michael Hermosillo, RF
6. Aldonso Rivas, 1B
7. Ildemaro Vargas, 2B
8. Greg Deichmann, DH
9. Ed Howard, SS
