Spring Training Game Nineteen: Cubs (6-12) vs. Angels (ss) (10-6)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T. TV: WGN - Radio: 720 WGN, Gameday Audio on MLB.com
Location - HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Carlos Zambrano (0-0, 1.00) vs. Nick Green (0-0, 3.86)
The phrase for the day in the desert is weather permitting. The Cubs and a split squad of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are scheduled to play for the second time in 3 days....while the rest of Mike Scioscia's team travels to Scottsdale to face the Giants. The weatherman is calling for a rather cool 58 degree day with a 40% chance of thunderstorms. If Lou Piniella's crew is able to get this one in, today would be a good day to see a little offense from the Big Three....as Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano are all expected back in the lineup.
The Cubs have played only a few complete games this spring, where all three phases of the game have performed well on the same day. With Carlos Zambrano scheduled to make the start, today would be a good day for an actual tune-up for the regular season.
Carlos Zambrano will make his fourth start of the spring and this should be his longest. After struggling with his command in his first start back on February 29th, Big Z has been pretty sharp in his last 2 outings. Zambrano has allowed only 2 runs, 1 earned, on 7 hits in 9 innings but the most important stat....8 strikeouts and 1 walk.
Larry Rothschild was very complimentary of Zambrano while talking with Bruce Levine on Saturday morning. Rothschild said Zambrano is more relaxed than in previous years and more focused than he has ever seen him (Rothschild said in the 7 years he's been with the Cubs). Zambrano's frame of mind is very good right now....Rothschild said they just have to keep him there.
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Today's lineup with Hoffpauir in right
Patterson - 2B
Soriano - LF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Hoffpauir - RF
Pie - CF
Blanco - C
Zambrano - P
I really like this lineup...except for Blanco/Soto but I could live with this!
I was impressed with Len's interview with Mike Quade. Very well spoken guy.
Zambrano looks sharp today.
Z sure is looking sharp today. I hope he keeps it up throughout the season. A big season from Z will go a long way towards winning the central.
That wasthe first earned run of the spring for Marmol....good recovery to strikeout the next guy
How does Micah look in RF haven't been able to watch.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN
Nice job bullpen!
Jim, I have to look at my notes but I believe Zambrano only allowed 2 balls out of the infield. The one chance Hoffpauir had was on the triple off the base off the wall by Rodriguez, but Pie was probably closer.
Hoffpauir was 0-for-4 today.
Kerry Wood looked great....7 pitches, 5 strikes, 3 up and 3 down.
Kerry Wood = Closer. Wuertz looks really good. I drove pass Wrigley today, wanted to get a peek of the Banks Statue, they have tents everyone cant see anything. But it got me even more excited for the year, if that is possible.
Shaun:
How you been! Give be Brian Mc my best. Actually,
I'd rather see him on the mound then Cotts or Eyre.
Brian fits the profile of the crafty veteran south paw.