Spring Training Game Four: Cubs (1-2) vs. Giants (1-3)
Game Time – 2:05pm C.T. – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLBTV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Channel 179
Location – HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Ted Lilly (0-0, -.–) vs. Matt Cain (0-0, -.–)
A relatively non-eventful Spring Training, with the obvious exception of Mark DeRosa, changed on Saturday with statements by Jason Marquis following the Cubs loss in Tempe to the Angels. Marquis apparently would rather be traded then to go to the bullpen according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. Marquis’ comments angered Lou Piniella and he would not let them go after Saturday’s game. A quote in the Tribune summed up Piniella’s thoughts: “Well, if that’s the case he can go somewhere else.” The Tribune stated the Cubs are still interested in Coco Crisp and former Cubs’ scout Keith Champion, now with the Red Sox was at Saturday’s game. Several reports have indicated the Cubs are still interested in Brian Roberts….the rumor that will not got away.
The Red Sox are looking to add pitching and are even contemplating signing Freddy Garcia. At this point of the spring, the Cubs have depth at the pitching position they could deal a Jason Marquis, among others, to add a position player….or two.
Now to the exhibition game….
Ted Lilly is slated to make his first start of the spring today. The last image most have of Lilly is his glove throwing incident in Arizona last fall. Lilly is penciled in as Lou Piniella’s number two starter behind Carlos Zambrano and it would be good to see Lilly have a strong outing today.
Kosuke Fukudome is expected back in the starting lineup after taking Saturday off. Fukudome is on a play two and take one off schedule. Today will mark Fukudome’s first televised appearance in a Cubs’ uniform.
Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija, Chad Fox and Michael Wuertz are the only pitchers left, other than Jon Lieber who is scheduled to start on Monday, that have yet to pitch in a game this spring.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….