Spring Training Game Thirty-Two: Cubs (15-15) vs. Indians (16-10)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: MLB.TV/MLB Network (delay) – Radio: 720 WGN
- Location – Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear
Chris Rusin (2-0, 2.50/0.89) vs. Ubaldo Jimenez (2-0, 4.91/1.58)
Countdown to Opening Day in Pittsburgh: 8 Days
The Cubs make the trip to Goodyear this afternoon to face the Indians for the third and final time this spring. The Indians have taken advantage of the Cubs’ young pitching in the Cactus League. The Indians have outscored the Cubs 22-7 in their first two games with a majority of the damage, in both games, coming against Brooks Raley and Alberto Cabrera.
Chris Rusin tossed three scoreless frames against the Indians in his first Cactus League start and faces the Tribe once again this afternoon. Alfonso Soriano, Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney are expected to be in the starting lineup this afternoon.
On the day the Cubs’ All-Star shortstop, Starlin Castro, turns 23 years old, it all starts with Chris Rusin …
Chris Rusin has already been optioned down to Triple-A Iowa and will begin the season in the I-Cubs’ rotation. Rusin has shown a lot of improvement this spring, and was in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster as a reliever. The Cubs are doing the right thing. Rusin is a starter at this point in his career. With the Cubs’ starting pitching depth evaporating this spring, it only makes sense to have Rusin in Iowa pitching every fifth day. Rusin is considered the Cubs’ sixth starter going into the season.
Rusin is coming off his first poor outing of the spring. The Rangers roughed up Rusin early before the lefty settled down and retired the last seven batters he faced. Rusin gave up four runs on seven hits, hit a batter and struck out four last Tuesday.
Chris Rusin makes his fourth Cactus League start this afternoon. In 18 innings over five appearances and three starts, Rusin has allowed five runs on 15 hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.
Ubaldo Jimenez is slated to begin the season as the second starter in the Indians’ rotation. Jimenez has pitched better of late and is scheduled to log seven innings this afternoon. Jimenez makes his sixth appearance and fifth start in the Cactus League today. Jimenez has allowed 10 runs on 26 hits with three walks and 14 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings.
Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw and Jerry Gil are also on the Indians’ pitching schedule for Sunday.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …