Spring Training Game Four: Cubs (0-3) vs. Brewers (3-2)
- Game Time – 2:05pm CST
- Coverage – TV: MLB.TV – Radio: 720 WGN
- Location – Maryvale Baseball Park, Maryvale
Eric Jokisch (0-0, -.–, -.–) vs. Marco Estrada (1-0, 9.00, 2.00)
The Cubs kickoff their first full week of Cactus League games with two exhibitions on Monday. The Cubs play a make-up game of sorts against the Giants at Cubs Park on Monday morning (11:00am CST, 10:00am MST) then make the long drive to Maryvale to face the Brewers.
Jason Hammel was scheduled to start Sunday’s game against the Royals. But due to rain in the Phoenix area cancelling two games on Saturday, Chris Bosio pushed Hammel to the morning ‘B’ game against the Giants. Eric Jokisch will take the hill in Maryvale for his first outing of the spring. And Kyle Hendricks is scheduled to face the A’s at Cubs Park on Tuesday.
The Cubs will have to deal with the media circus that is Ryan Braun this afternoon. But while they are in Maryvale, the game will be the first of many games this spring in which managers will be able to challenge calls using the expanded replay system. The Cubs are scheduled for six games this spring that Rick Renteria and his coaching staff will be able to test the new replay system.
The morning ‘B’ game begins with Jason Hammel and the afternoon exhibition all begins with Eric Jokisch …
Jason Hammel signed with the Cubs this off-season for one year and $6 million with a chance to earn up to $7 million if he hits all of his incentives. Hammel was 7-8 in 26 games, 23 starts, for the Orioles last season with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.
The Cubs will run out the following lineup behind Jason Hammel in the ‘B’ game:
- Arismendy Alcantara – 2B
- Albert Almora – CF
- Mike Olt – 1B
- Kris Bryant – 3B
- George Kottaras – C
- Jorge Soler – DG
- Josh Vitters – LF
- Matt Szczur – RF
- Jeudy Valdez – SS
Eric Jokisch is coming off a good season with the Smokies and is one of the starters in the system to keep an eye on this year. Jokisch was 11-13 in 27 games, 26 starts, for Double-A Tennessee last season with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. In a career-high 160 2/3 innings, Jokisch allowed 144 hits with 137 strikeouts and 54 walks.
Jason McLeod really likes what he has seen from Jokisch. The lefty will begin the season in Iowa and he’s likely to make his Cubs’ debut at some point in the 2015 season.
Rick Renteria announced Sunday this starting nine would begin the game against the Brewers:
- Chris Coghlan – LF
- Ryan Roberts – 2B
- Luis Valbuena – 3B
- Junior Lake – CF
- Javier Baez – SS
- Aaron Cunningham – DH
- John Baker – C
- Chris Valaika – 1B
- Darnell McDonald – RF
Marco Estrada has owned the Cubs during his Major League career and will make his second start of the spring this afternoon. Estrada gave up two runs on two hits with two walks and one strikeout in two innings in his first outing against the Athletics.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …