NEWSLETTER
Back to .500. Drat. The Cubs spent just one undefeated day in the Cactus League before losing to the Dodgers on Sunday afternoon. They’re back at it again today, though, with a 2:05 matchup against the winless Cleveland Guardians. Shane Bieber will take the ball first for Cleveland, so it won’t be an easy matchup for Cubs hitters. But at least we’ll get our first look at new Cubs starter Jameson Taillon. Here’s the Chicago Cubs lineup for Game 3 in Arizona.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Miles Mastrobuoni, 2B
- Ian Happ, LF
- Trey Mancini, 1B
- Yan Gomes, C
- Edwin Rios, 3B
- Zach McKinstry, SS
- Matt Mervis, DH
- Mike Tauchman, CF
- Yonathan Perlaza, RF
When it comes to Matt Mervis, Jed Hoyer has said that the Cubs would use Spring Training *exclusively* for development. In other words, he’s not here to be evaluated or win a job. And while I believe Hoyer, this is the third game of the season, and it’s already Mervis’ third game and second start. We’re seeing a LOT of him. They may not be evaluating him for a start as soon as Opening Day, but they know what’s coming. We all do.
It also doesn’t hurt to get him as much exposure to big league pitchers now as possible. Find those weaknesses, identify the fixes, put a plan into action to start the year in Iowa and we’ll see you in May.
Overall, today’s lineup features a nice mix of starters (Happ, Mancini, Gomes), bench guys (Mastrobuoni, Rios, McKinstry), prospects (Mervis, Perlaza), and whatever you want to call Mike Tauchman (depth, camp guy, whatever). For me, outside of more Mervis, Perlaza will get most of my attention today. He’s one of those quality prospects that gets overshadowed in a Cubs system full of quality prospects. Last season, in his first attempt at Double-A, the outfielder slashed .255/.358/.491 with a 13.8% walk rate and 23 homers (122 wRC+). He could be a guy. There are just so many prospects like him it’s easy to lose track!
Cubs vs. Guardians Game Info
Cleveland Guardians (0-2) at Chicago Cubs (1-1) – Monday, February 27 at 2:05 CT on Marquee Network
Cubs vs. Guardians Pitching Matchup
Guardians: Shane Bieber, RHP
Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP
Oh, yeah! It’s a split-squad day! I forgot. Here’s the Cubs other lineup today, this one against Arizona.
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Nico Hoerner, 2B
- Dansby Swanson, SS
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Patrick Wisdom, 3B
- David Bote, DH
- Nelson Velázquez, RF
- Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
- Brennen Davis, LF
- Dom Nunez, C
It’s a shame this game isn’t on Marquee, because this lineup has Brennen Davis in left, PCA in center, and Caleb Kilian on the mound. Plus, Dansby Swanson is starting. With the exception of Taillon and Mervis, it’s pretty much everyone I’d rather see today. Maybe this game will be available on MLB.TV, because Bally is covering/broadcasting it.
Cubs vs. Guardians Game Info
Cleveland Guardians (0-2) at Chicago Cubs (1-1) – Monday, February 27 at 2:05 CT – this one is not available on Marquee, but will probably be available (via the D-Backs broadcast) on MLB.TV.
Cubs vs. Guardians Pitching Matchup
D-Backs: Brandon Pfaadt, RHP
Cubs: Caleb Kilian, RHP
