Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Brewers – 02/28/11

February 28, 2011 By 12 Comments

Spring Training Game Two: Cubs (0-1) vs. Brewers (ss) (0-0)
Game Time – 2:05pm CST
Coverage – TV: None – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location – HoHoKam Park, Mesa

Randy Wells (0-0, -.–/-.–) vs. Tim Dillard (0-0, -.–/-.–)

The Cubs get back to work this afternoon and will try to improve on their overall effort from Sunday. The Cubs did several things right in the opener but a better performance from the pitching staff, as well as the defense, would be nice to see in the second game of the spring.

The Milwaukee Brewers begin Cactus League play today. Half of the Brewers will stay in Maryvale and host the Giants. Shaun Marcum is scheduled to start the game against the World Series Champions. Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder will not travel to Mesa but Ryan Braun and Mark Kotsay will lead a ‘B’ team lineup against the Cubs. Q’s crew will look to improve on their overall effort from Sunday. Mike Quade will run out a different lineup behind Randy Wells. Wells is slated to pitch two innings then turn the game over to Andrew Cashner for the next two. Kerry Wood and Sean Marshall are also on Monday’s schedule.

Cubs Starting Lineup against the Brewers

Reed Johnson – CF
Darwin Barney – SS
Tyler Colvin – RF
Alfonso Soriano – LF
Carlos Pena – 1B
Jeff Baker – 2B
Marquez Smith – 3B
Koyie Hill – C
Randy Wells – P

The Cubs will get their first look of the year at the Brewers. Milwaukee is one of the favorites to win the Central Division this season. The Brewers will be without a majority of their big bats this afternoon. Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee will not make the trip to Mesa … but all three figures to be in the starting lineup when the Cubs make the journey to Maryvale on Wednesday.

Brewers Starting Lineup against the Cubs

Carlos Gomez – CF
Craig Counsell – SS
Ryan Braun – LF
Mark Kotsay – 1B
Luis Cruz – 2B
Wil Nieves – C
Erick Almonte – DH
Caleb Gindi – RF
Zelous Wheeler – 3B

Tim Dillard will start the game for Milwaukee. Mike Quade gave Ron Roenicke permission to use a designated hitter this afternoon.

News and Notes
Tyler Colvin is expected to make start at first base either Thursday or Friday. Colvin has been working with Carlos Pena this spring and the Cubs would like for Colvin to serve as one of the two backups to Pena. Jeff Baker is expected to be the right-handed backup.

Follow the CCO on Twitter: @TheCCO

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …


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  • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

    It is a beautiful day in Mesa. Just a reminder to check the twitter feed. Several pics today and Greg Maddux is in the house.

    • Dorasaga

      Neil, do you know where to access that free audio on mlb.com? I tried both the Cubs official page and the mediacenter of mlb.com, but they all wanted me to pay.

      • Calicub

        Its all for pay..

      • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

        You have to sign up for an account. They will ask for a credit card, there is the catch

        • Dorasaga

          Yeah, I have an account since 2006, which I used to purchase Cubs item and mlb.tv for like… 3 years. I think the blackout rule, bad after-sale customer service, and all those NONSENSE like wanting my credit card number while it’s supposed to be FREE as they reported, oh well, I’m giving up…

          • paulcatanese

            That MLB.Com. The bad part of it is the blackout rule,I have that in Calif. any time the A’s and Giants are home it gets blacked out,and I’m 150 miles from the Bay Area. So I never applied for it,waste of money here.

  • GaryLeeT

    I wonder if the Brewer’s starter is on a pitch count or inning count. If it’s a pitch count (7 pitches in the first 2 innings), he should be able to pitch a near complete game.

    • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

      He threw a lot more than that. Cubs very patient in first inning.

      • GaryLeeT

        I guess MLB Gameday is only reporting balls put in play.

  • MikeT_2008

    Man it is just awesome to hear Cubs baseball again after this winter. It’s much better to listen to the game than study for my classes

  • http://chicagocubsonline.com/ Neil

    Better effort today, Cashner and Wood were not as bad as their lines. Sean Marshall was good. Randy Wells hit his spots and Jay Jackson impressed me the most.

    Will have the recap up later.

  • paulcatanese

    Guess they are off to a slow start. Lets hope they don’t fall into runners left on again like they did last year,those kind of habits are hard to break.Hill looks like mid-season form,Soriono still a surprise so far,,hope it continues for him.Neil, have your’e sun tan lotion with you?