Spring Training Game Thirty-Three: Cubs (16-15) vs. Giants (11-13)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet/MLB Network (delay) – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Travis Wood (3-0, 3.00/0.92) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (0-1, 1.93/0.93)
Countdown to Opening Day in Pittsburgh: 7 Days
The Cubs open the 2013 season one week from today in Pittsburgh. While the Cubs still have four games in Arizona, a trip to Houston and two roster spots to fill, games that actually count are just around the corner.
This will also be a sentimental week for the Cubs and the Faithful as the team plays their last spring home game at HoHoKam Park on Thursday afternoon against the Mariners. The Cubs open their new Spring Training facility in November and the Oakland Athletics move into Fitch Park and HoHoKam Stadium in 2015. While the Cubs will play at HoHoKam again, it will not be the same park as the City of Mesa has approved $20 million in upgrades to the facilities.
The Cubs and Giants square off for the third and final time in the Cactus League this afternoon. Jeff Samardzija and the Cubs beat San Francisco in the home opener at HoHoKam back on February 24 then came up short in Scottsdale on March 2. The Cubs will see the defending World Series Champions during their first homestand. The Giants play four at Wrigley in early April (April 11 – April 14).
This afternoon’s game will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet with Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies on the call while Mick Gillispie has the play-by-play on Cubs.com.
Today all begins with Travis Wood …
Travis Wood has been very good in his Cactus League starts this spring. Wood reportedly struggled with Team Japan and had a decent outing in a minor league game last week. Wood has not pitched in a Cactus League since March 10 when he helped snap the Cubs’ five-game spring losing streak.
Travis Wood tossed four innings of shutout ball while allowing only one hit to the Padres. Wood struck out six and issued three free passes. Wood has allowed four runs on seven hits in 12 innings in the Cactus League this spring with four walks and 11 strikeouts. Wood is scheduled to start the third game of the season against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
Ryan Vogelsong makes his fifth start in the Cactus League this afternoon. Vogelsong spent time with Team USA in the WBC but has still managed to get his work in for the Giants. Vogelsong has allowed just three runs on 10 hits in four Cactus League starts. In 14 innings, Vogelsong has struck out a batter an inning (14) while issuing only three free passes.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …