Spring Training Game Twenty-Five: Cubs (10-14) vs. White Sox (7-10)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network, MLB.TV – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Camelback Ranch, Glendale
Chris Rusin (2-2, 5.40, 1.03) vs. John Danks (0-0, 2.08, 1.54)
The Cubs will spend their last Friday in the Cactus League taking on the White Sox for the first time this year. The Cubs and Sox wrap up Spring Training next Thursday at Cubs Park then play four games against one another in May (May 5-6 at Wrigley Field, May 7-8 at the Cell).
Chris Rusin is pitching today to stay in the mix for the fifth spot in the Cubs’ rotation. Unless there are changes to the roster, the last spot in the rotation is down to Rusin and Carlos Villanueva. If Rusin does not make the rotation he will begin the season with the Iowa Cubs while Villanueva will go to the pen and serve as the team’s swingman until he is traded.
Mike Olt will be the Cubs’ designated hitter today and is scheduled to play third base again on Saturday when the Cubs face the Reds at Cubs Park. Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo are in the starting lineup for today’s game.
Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie have the call of today’s game on Cubs.com. The White Sox telecast can be seen on Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network or MLB.TV.
This afternoon all starts with Chris Rusin …
Chris Rusin is coming off an excellent outing. Rusin held the Mets scoreless for four innings last weekend in Las Vegas. Rusin gave up just one hit and struck out two batters. Rusin makes his third Cactus League start today and fifth appearance of the spring. Rusin has allowed seven runs on nine hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings.
While Rusin is taking on the White Sox, Travis Wood will get his work in facing minor leaguers today. Wood will face the Diamondbacks Triple-A roster.
Rick Renteria is expected to run out the following lineup this afternoon:
- Emilio Bonifacio – 2B
- Junior Lake – CF
- Anthony Rizzo – 1B
- Mike Olt – DH
- Justin Ruggiano – LF
- Javier Baez – SS
- Ryan Kalish – RF
- Luis Valbuena – 3B
- John Baker – C
George Kottaras, Chris Coghlan, Eli Whiteside, Chris Valaika and Darnell McDonald are on the travel roster. Wesley Wright, Jonathan Sanchez, Zac Rosscup, Alberto Cabrera and Brian Schlitter are scheduled to make the trip as well and be available out of the bullpen.
John Danks is healthy and is throwing the ball extremely well this spring. Danks has earned the third spot in the White Sox’s rotation. Danks makes his fourth Cactus League start today. In his first three outings, Danks has allowed three runs on 12 hits with eight walks and six strikeouts in 13 innings.
Matt Lindstrom is expected to make his spring debut this afternoon. Lindstrom has faced the Cubs 24 times in his career and has yet to allow or be charged with an earned run (no runs, 21 hits in 24 innings with four walks and 19 strikeouts, 0.00 ERA, 1.04 WHIP).
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …