Spring Training Game Twelve: Cubs (4-7) vs. Royals (5-5)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T. TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, Gameday Audio on MLB.com
Location - Surprise Stadium, Surprise
Ryan Dempster (1-0, 3.60) vs. Brett Tomko (1-0, 6.75)
Time to spring forward.... The Cubs will make the roughly one hour journey today from Mesa to Surprise to face a very talented, young Kansas City Royals team. Ryan Dempster is scheduled to make his third start of the spring. Dempster appears to be a lock to make the starting rotation, the only question remains is.... will he be slotted as the Cubs number three or number five starter? Dempster has allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in 5 innings in his first two starts with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks. Kosuke Fukudome is not expected to play today and do not be surprised to see Piniella's lineup missing such names as Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez as well.
Today's starting lineup will likely be similar to the one that took the field last Saturday in Tempe or yesterday in Phoenix, so today's focus must be on the performance of the pitchers. After Jon Lieber's outing on Saturday, Ryan Dempster needs another solid tune-up this afternoon....but most importantly, Dempster must throw strikes.
Out of the pen.... Kerry Wood, Carmen Pignatiello, Kevin Hart, Neal Cotts and Carlos Marmol are scheduled to throw today. Pignatiello and Cotts are battling for the second lefty spot while Kevin Hart is the leader for the last right handed spot, likely long-relief, in the pen. It will be interesting to see how Hart pitches after being hit on the leg with a comebacker on Friday. For Wood and Marmol....just continue throwing strikes.
Jose Guillen will make his debut today in a Royals uniform and bat 4th.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
XM Radio is reporting the Cubs are close on a deal for Coco Crisp. Sam Fuld and Jason Marquis for Crisp.
Someone needs to show Andy McFailure what a fair trade looks like. I like this one. We dump Marquis, although I would much rather have Marquis then Lieber, and get a needed left handed bat.
Today's lineup:
Soriano - LF
Patterson - 2B
Hoffpauir - 1B
Ward - DH
Murton - RF
Soto - C
Cintron - 3B
Pie - CF
Andres Blanco - SS
I heard abbout that Crisp/Marquis deal as well.
Obviously, Marquis isn't really needed here and getting Crisp to play CF and and/or to back up the corners is a nice move.
Andres Blanco looks like he has a cannon arm at SS.
Hi Neil/Jim TP!
Maybe Dempster is on HGH#@!? He is looking good
Agustin:
Hola! I don't know about HGH but for sure Jenny Craig.
If the deal with Boston for Crisp goes through, I hope he isn't brought in with the idea of taking over in center. I can see him getting plenty of at bats as a fourth outfielder. His ability to switch hit, and the fact that he plays strong defense will be great additions, but I believe that Pie needs to be given a chance to see what he can do.
Larry:
You are exactly right. Crisp would probably start in CF against south paws and sub for Soriano/Fukudome. Pie should be our CF!
Blanco's arm is tremendous!!
Also, I would like to see Hoffpauir get more time in the outfield over the next 2 weeks. They need to find a place for him.
LOL Jim!
I hear you Neil. I think Hoffpauir might be our ST surprise this year. 3 for 3 with power! E Patterson is looking like he wants a spot too.
All of our young guys are looking good today. And Dempster too! Maybe MacPhail gets a keystone combo with Cedeno and Patterson along with Gallagher. If we get Crisp, we don't need Payton in a Roberts deal--and hopefully we don't have to take him. I sure would like Sherrill to be included. I'm already in heaven and my first game at HoHoKam this week isn't until Tuesday. We're playin ball now!!!!
Just reading, hearing about spring training games gets me so excited about the Cubs Season. Cant wait to see how the year plays out. Also happened to find some Wrigley Field Photos on this guys website. Gotta love watching a game at wrigley. Hes got some amazing shots.