Spring Training Game Thirty-Two: Cubs (14-17) vs. Indians (14-13)
Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
Coverage – TV: None – Radio: Cubs.com Webcast
Location – Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear
Carlos Zambrano (0-1, 4.08/1.47) vs. Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 7.56/1.92)
Updated – 2:48pm CDT – According to multiple reports, the Cubs optioned Welington Castillo to Triple-A Iowa Monday … Koyie Hill was named the Cubs back-up catcher.
Only two Spring Training games remain for the Chicago Cubs … the first pitch of the Cubs 2011 campaign is just four days away. Camp ‘Q” wraps on Wednesday with an Intrasquad game at HoHoKam Park.
The Cubs have yet to finalize their Opening Day roster but Koyie Hill is expected to be named Geovany Soto’s backup at some point in the next few days. Once the Cubs option Welington Castillo to Iowa, try to send Max Ramirez through waivers and add Reed Johnson to the 40-man roster, Q’s Opening Day squad will be set.
Carlos Zambrano will make his final spring tune-up this afternoon. Z’s last start in a Cactus League game came back on March 18 against the Reds. Zambrano pitched in a minor league game against a D’Backs Triple-A squad last Wednesday so Carlos Silva could start against the Oakland A’s.
Mick Gillispie and Len Kasper will call their final game of the spring this afternoon on Cubs.com. The Smokies’ play-by-play man and the television voice of the Cubs have done an excellent job broadcasting the Cubs’ Cactus League action. Carlos Zambrano has put together a very good spring while handling himself in a different manner. The Reds hit Big Z pretty hard in his last start but Z showed a lot of maturity by not showing the reigning NL Central Champions anything in a meaningless game.
Z has allowed eight runs, all earned, on 20 hits with six walks and 10 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings. Today will be Z’s sixth start of the spring.
Kosuke Fukudome is expected to hit leadoff this afternoon with Marlon Byrd back in the three-hole in Mike Quade’s lineup.
Carlos Carrasco will make his sixth start of the spring. Carrasco has been hit pretty hard. In 16 2/3 innings he’s allowed 16 runs, 14 earned, on 26 hits with six walks and 14 strikeouts.
Carrasco will begin the year as the number two starter in the Indians’ rotation.
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