Spring Training Game Eight: Cubs (ss) (2-5) vs. Dodgers (3-6)
Game Time – 2:05pm CST
Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location – HoHokam Park, Mesa
Ryan Dempster (0-0, 3.00/1.00) vs. Chad Billingsley (0-0, 0.00/1.00)
Spring Training Game Nine: Cubs (ss) (2-5) vs. Reds (5-3)
Game Time – 2:05pm CST
Coverage – TV: None – Radio: MLB.com
Location – Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear
Todd Wellemeyer (1-0, 0.00/0.50) vs. Johnny Cueto (0-1, 6.00/0.66)
The Cubs will split up for the first time this afternoon. Q’s crew has a total of four split squad games on the Cactus League schedule … the other three: March 12, March 13 and March 15. Next weekend’s split squad contests include a trip to Las Vegas for the annual ‘Big League Weekend‘ at Cashman Field.
Mike Quade will manage half of his crew in Mesa and Pat Listach will serve as the Cubs’ skipper in Goodyear.
The Cubs asked for and was granted permission by the Reds to use a designated hitter today. Tyler Colvin will get the extra at bats as the team’s DH.
The game at HoHoKam will be broadcast on WGN TV and radio. Pat Hughes has the weekend off. Dave Eanet and Keith Moreland will have the call on the radio side while Len Kasper will join Bob Brenly for the first telecast of the spring. Spring Training Game Eight – Cubs vs. Dodgers
Mike Quade will call the shots at HoHoKam Park today … while the other half of his roster is in Goodyear facing the Reds.
Ryan Dempster threw three innings his first time out. Dempster allowed a run on two hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Dempster pitched out of a big jam in the second thanks to the Cubs wonderful defense.
The Cubs will get their first look at a Dodgers’ team led by Don Mattingly. The Dodgers have played to mix results so far under their new skipper.
Today will be Chad Billingsley’s second start of the spring. Billingsley tossed three innings of shutout ball in his last start … three hits, no walks and three strikeouts.
For the Dodgers to compete for a NL West title this season, Chad Billingsley will have to pitch like the ace the Dodgers think he can be.
Cubs Lineup vs. Dodgers
Kosuke Fukudome – RF
Reed Johnson – LF
Marlon Byrd – CF
Aramis Ramirez – 3B
Bryan LaHair – 1B
Geovany Soto – C
Jeff Baker – 2B
Darwin Barney – SS
Ryan Dempster – P
Spring Training Game Nine – Cubs vs. Reds
With Mike Quade staying behind in Mesa, Pat Listach will call the shots in Goodyear against the reigning NL Central Champions. The Reds have a very good young team and should compete for the crown again this season.
The Reds figure to treat today like a regular season game. Joey Votto and company do not like the Cubs and they always play at the top of their game when facing a Cubs’ team … even in the Cactus League.
Until Saturday, Todd Wellemeyer had posted the only win for the Cubs this season. Wellemeyer pitched very well against the Giants last Tuesday. Wellemeyer said he’s healthy, unlike last season, and feels he can still get outs in the majors. Wellemeyer said if he can’t land a job with the Cubs, hopefully he will be able to catch on with another team.
Wellemeyer threw two scoreless innings the last time out. He allowed one hit while striking out two.
Johnny Cueto will make his second start of the spring. The talented right-hander threw three innings in his first action of the year. Cueto took the loss in the exhibition game after allowing two runs on two hits with a strikeout. Cueto also hit a pair of batters.
Francisco Cordero, Daniel Ray Herrera and Jared Burton are expected to follow Cueto.
Cubs Lineup vs. Reds
Blake DeWitt – 2B
Starlin Castro – SS
Tyler Colvin – DH
Alfonso Soriano – LF
Carlos Pena – 1B
Marquez Smith – 3B
Brett Jackson – CF
Koyie Hill – C
James Adduci – RF
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