Spring Training Game Eighteen: Cubs (7-10) vs. Rockies (8-7)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: None – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – HoHoKam Park, Mesa
Edwin Jackson (0-1, 4.50/1.75) vs. Jorge De La Rosa (0-1, 7.36/2.18)
The Cubs get back to work this afternoon after a much needed off day, and begin a difficult stretch of Spring Training games. Dale Sveum’s team plays 10 games over the next seven days before their final off day of the spring (March 20) that includes three split squad days over the weekend.
The Cubs play Team Japan in an exhibition game at HoHoKam Park on Friday afternoon while the other half of the roster faces the White Sox in Glendale. The annual Big League Weekend at Cashman Field in Las Vegas is Saturday and Sunday. While half of the roster stays in the valley to take on the Royals and A’s, the other half of Dale Sveum’s squad makes the trip to Sin City for two games against the Rangers.
Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies will broadcast their first games together over the weekend on WGN TV (Royals and A’s) and Pat Hughes makes his spring debut from Las Vegas on 720 WGN with Keith Moreland.
The Cubs square off against the Rockies for the last time in the Cactus League this afternoon. The Cubs took the first game 4-2 back on February 26 but dropped the second game in Scottsdale 6-3. The two teams will not see one another until the middle of May (May 13 – May 15) at Wrigley Field.
Starlin Castro is expected back in the starting lineup today, and Brent Lillibridge is slated to return to the field as well.
Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie will call the action on Cubs.com.
This afternoon all begins with Edwin Jackson …
Edwin Jackson makes his third start in the Cactus League this afternoon. Jackson is coming off a rough outing against the Brewers. Jackson struggled with his command and allowed two runs on two hits with three walks, a strikeout and a hit batsman in two innings of work. Jackson labored through the first inning and his elevated pitch count cut his second start short.
Cubs’ pitching, for the most part, has had problems throwing strikes this spring. While it is still early in the exhibition season, it would be good to see the pitching staff pound the strike zone and cut down on the free passes.
In two spring starts, Edwin Jackson has allowed two runs on four hits with three walks and one strikeout in four innings.
The Cubs offense will set yet another southpaw this afternoon in Jorge De La Rosa. De La Rosa has struggled in his two Cactus League appearances this spring. De La Rosa has allowed three runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings, and will face the Cubs for the second time this spring. The Rockies are depending on De La Rosa to be a big part of their rotation but his recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2011 as taken longer than anticipated.
Josh Outman was scheduled to start today’s game and will likely be in the Rockies pitching rotation for this afternoon. Former Cubs’ reliever, Manny Corpas is battling for a job and he expected to throw today as well.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …