Spring Training Game Ten: Cubs (ss) (3-6) vs. Diamondbacks (5-5)
Game Time - 2:05pm C.T. WGN TV - Gameday Audio on MLB.com
Location - HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Jon Lieber (0-0, 9.00) vs. Micah Owings (0-0, 9.00)
Spring Training Game Eleven: Cubs (ss) (3-6) vs. A's (ss) (6-3)
Game Time - 2:05pm C.T. TV - N/A - Gameday Audio on MLB.com
Location - Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix
Sean Marshall (0-0, 0.00) vs. Rich Harden (0-1, 6.00)
It is the first of two split squad days for the Cubs. Half of Lou Piniella's crew will face the D'Backs at HoHoKam while the rest of the team will make the short 20 minute drive to Phoenix to face an Oakland A's split squad. Cubs' baseball will be on WGN for the first time this season from beautiful HoHoKam Park in Mesa.
Lou Piniella's lineup should feature at the least Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano in the home half of the split squad. The battle for the last two spots in the rotation will be front and center today with two of the four candidates scheduled to take the mound. Jon Lieber will make his second start of the spring while Sean Marshall will make his second appearance but his first start.
(Note: On Friday, Jon Lieber was scheduled to face the Oakland A's and Sean Marshall was to pitch at HoHoKam against the D'Backs.....apparently seniority rules.)
Lou Piniella received a productive day from his offense on Friday, hopefully with Soriano back and all eyes on Mesa, the Cubs can have another solid day with the bats.
Look for Jose Ascanio, Scott Eyre, Sean Gallagher, Bobby Howry and Michael Wuertz to see action out of the pen at HoHoKam....while Juan Mateo, Jeff Samardzija and Shingo Takatsu should pitch out of the pen in Phoenix.
Let's Talk Cubs Baseball....
Today's lineup(s)
Against the A's:
Theriot - SS
Figueroa - 2B
Murton - RF
Ward - DH
Kroeger - CF
Cintron - 3B
Fuld - LF
Blanco - C
Against the D'Backs:
Soriano - LF
Fukudome - RF
Lee - 1B
Ramirez - 3B
Soto - C
Fontenot - 2B
Cedeno - SS
Pie - CF
Lieber - P
Augie 'roids' Ojeda....I freakin' hate that guy.....can someone pull a Tonya Harding on that guy?
Aaron, I was glad to see them throw out Augie....
Nice bunt by Lieber. I love good fundamentals.
In the other game...Marshall has allowed only 1 hit in 2 innings
I found it interesting that Lou said Felix Pie had seperated himself away from Fuld in CF, but later said that they "would be starting a young guy at catcher and probably a young guy in center". Makes me think Pie may not be as "untouchable" as I thought.
Chad...my thoughts exactly. Also, don't forget about Crisp.
Lieber looked sharp.
Ward hit another home run....Cubs 4 - A's 0
Marshall 3 shutout innings, 2 hits
Neil, I would love Crisp as our 4th outfielder; especially if we can get rid of Marquis' salary. But if he is unhappy with possibly being the Red Sox 4th OF, how is he going to like being the Cubs 4th?
And I would prefer to play Pie over Crisp because they are similar players and Pie is a lot cheaper and has a higher upside.
If Pie is traded away, then Crisp would be a good addition. But I hope Pie stays. I would love Roberts, but not at the expense of Gallagher, Cedeno, and Pie.
Personally I'd actually be OK with Gallagher, Cedeno, and Pie for Roberts... it's a matter of personal taste I suppose.
Watching Leiber work today, and knowing how solid our defense is this season - Leiber might be exactly the right type of pitcher for this club. Z is the power, Lilly the lefty with movement, Hill the lefty with the sweeping curve... and here's Leiber with yet another contrast of styles. Working fast, keping the defense on it's toes, and pitching to contact.
The more I see the impact of Lou on this team, and the way that Hendry has been able to bring in the players that fit that vision, the more impressed I am.
This is a rock solid ballclub... and would be even more solid with Roberts so they can manufacture runs until the weather turns warm or the wind's blowing in at the confines.
I'm getting excited!!!!!
I know it's a split squad game so there's less players to rotate through to get a look at everyone... but it looks like Lou has turned the corner from "play the starters for 2 innings" to "let's get these guys ready to play". It's the 6th and the starters are still in there.
Gary, I agree it is good to see the starters in there a little longer. Also, nice to see Josh Lansford in the game.
Marshall gave up a couple of runs in the 4th inning. Rocky Roquet pitched out of the jam and the Shark has allowed 2 runs as well....game tied 4-4 in the 6th.
NATION REPRESENT!
CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!
Brian-Shaun; now Gary J is "getting excited!" You guys have created a monster.
I'M EXCITED!!!