Spring Training Game Twenty-One: Cubs (11-8-1) vs. Royals (8-8-2)
Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
Coverage – TV: MLB Network, MLBTV.com (Royals Feed) – Radio: MLB.com (Cubs feed), XM Radio Channel 179
Location – Surprise Stadium, Surprise
Ryan Dempster (1-0, 2.00/0.66) vs. Luke Hochevar (0-1, 1.50/1.50)
Lou Piniella’s crew hits the road this afternoon for the first of three straight on the road. The Cubs make their first trip of the spring to Surprise … and will travel back to Surprise on Wednesday to play the Texas Rangers.
Aramis Ramirez took infield practice on Monday at Fitch Park, but he still cannot throw a baseball. Ramirez could serve as Piniella’s designated hitter this afternoon.
MLB.com is running a free promotion for the next three days. Mick Gillespie, the voice of the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies, will call the games. Ryan Dempster has quietly gone about his business this spring. Other than a couple of runs he gave up in his last start Dempster has thrown the ball rather well. In his first three starts, Dempster has allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts in nine innings.
Dempster should go five innings this afternoon against the Royals.
Luke Hochevar will make his third start of the spring today. In his first two games, Hochevar has allowed six runs, one earned, on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts in six innings.
John Parrish, Josh Rupe and Roman Colon are scheduled to follow Luke Hochevar.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …