The Chicago Cubs open their Cactus League slate on Saturday, hosting the Giants for the first game of Spring Training. That means it’s time to announce probable starters!
In a mild surprise, the Cubs are going with Marcus Stroman to open the spring slate, with Adrian Sampson to follow. I call it a mild surprise because sometimes you see the sure-fire starters not making their spring debuts until the second time through the rotation or more. But in this case, two of the Cubs’ possible starting five are getting game action right away.
For Stroman, it makes a little more sense since he’s gotta ramp up a bit for the World Baseball Classic. I still think he probably goes only one or two innings in the game, though. Ditto Sampson.
No, Stroman starting the spring opener does not mean it’s a lock that he’s also the Opening Day starter this year. That said, there’s little reason to doubt he was already going to be the Opening Day starter this year.