Spring Training Game Twelve: Cubs (4-7) vs. Royals (7-4)
Game Time – 2:05pm CST
Coverage – TV: None – Radio: Cubs.com webcast, XM Radio Channel 187
Location – HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Matt Garza (0-1, 11.25/1.75) vs. Bruce Chen (0-0, 2.25/1.00)
The Cubs get back to work this afternoon behind Matt Garza. Garza will make his third appearance, second start, of the spring. Garza was very good in his last outing (Friday against the Royals) before taking a line drive in the ribs off the bat of Jeff Francoeur. The Cubs lifted Garza for precautionary reasons and Garza finished his outing in the bullpen.
Garza has allowed five runs on six hits in four innings with a walk and a strikeout this spring. Following his last outing, Garza said he would be throwing only fastballs and changeups until his fourth or fifth game of the spring … so don’t expect any breaking stuff from the Cubs’ right-hander this afternoon.
Jeff Baker is expected to hit leadoff this after with the lefty Bruce Chen on the hill for the Royals. Bruce Chen will make his third appearance, second start, of the spring this afternoon. Chen has put together a good start to the exhibition season. He’s allowed one run on three hits with a walk and three strikeouts in four innings.
The Cubs scored a run on two hits against Chen last Friday. Tyler Colvin hit a solo homer off Chen in the first and the Cubs took a 4-0 lead into the sixth. John Gaub could not find the strike zone and Eric Hosmer made him pay.
Everett Teaford, Kanekoa Texeria and Jesse Chavez are also on Ned Yost’s pitching schedule for Wednesday.
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