Spring Training Game Thirty-One: Cubs (14-14-2) vs. Mariners (12-15)
Game Time – 9:15pm C.T. TV: WGN TV, MLB.TV – Radio: 720 WGN, Gameday Audio on MLB.com
Location – Cashman Field, Las Vegas
Ted Lilly (0-0, 6.00/1.40) vs. Carlos Silva (0-2, 9.20/2.18)
The final tune-up of the spring for the Cubs begins tonight in Las Vegas against the Seattle Mariners. The quick 2-game series is dubbed as ‘Big League Weekend’ and takes place at Cashman Field, home of the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s.
Ted Lilly is slated to make the start tonight, with Ryan Dempster scheduled to take the hill on Saturday afternoon. The night game has featured a majority of the Cubs’ regulars in the past, let’s see how Lou Piniella plays it tonight…. Ted Lilly had a decent spring in Arizona with a majority of his problems occurring in the 1st inning. It would be good to see Lilly avoid those early difficulties tonight, get his work in and enjoy the rest of the night from the dugout….or clubhouse.
The Cubs’ goal for the final two games must be to land in Chicago with only Scott Eyre on the DL to start the season.
Lou Piniella’s Opening Day roster appears to be settled, except for one spot. Early in the week, Sean Marshall was reportedly the front-runner to be the Cubs’ lefty out of the pen. But Carmen Pignatiello has gotten Piniella’s attention over the past few days….and should be on the plane to Chicago with the rest of the team Saturday afternoon.
Jim Hendry might have one more move to make before the season starts….Matt Murton. Tim Lahey was claimed off waivers on Friday by the Phillies.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….