Spring Training Game Six: Cubs (0-4-1) vs. Padres (2-3)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: None – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Sloan Park, Mesa
Edwin Jackson (0-0, -.–, -.–) vs. Andrew Cashner (0-0, -.–, -.–)
The Cubs look to erase the spring losing streak this afternoon against Joe Maddon’s good friend Bud Black and the new-look San Diego Padres.
Edwin Jackson is schedule to pitch the first two innings of today’s game. And Kyle Hendricks makes his spring debut following Jackson. Both pitchers are scheduled to complete two innings.
Kyle Hendricks has the fourth spot in the rotation all but locked up and Edwin Jackson is pitching this spring for a spot on the roster.
Edwin Jackson is competing with Travis Wood, Felix Doubront, Jacob Turner and Tsuyoshi Wada for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Joe Maddon not given up on Jackson and he is reportedly throwing the ball well and having a good camp.
This afternoon all starts with Edwin Jackson …
Edwin Jackson’s struggles are well-documented, especially during the first two years of the four-year contract he signed with the Cubs. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have said on numerous occasions that to this point signing Jackson has not worked out. And Epstein has taken sole responsibility of signing Edwin Jackson, calling it a mistake halfway through the deal.
Jackson has accepted responsibility for the last two years and reported to camp focused and ready to go this spring.
Edwin Jackson was 6-15 in 28 appearances, 27 starts, a year ago with a 6.33 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 4.45 WHIP.
Don’t look for today to be a fastball only outing, unless Chris Bosio and Joe Maddon are aware of Jackson’s game plan.
Kyle Hendricks is expected to follow Jackson with two innings in his first spring outing.
Hendricks was 7-2 in 13 starts at the big league level with a 2.46 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 3.32 FIP. Maddon has already said Hendricks is all but a lock for the fourth spot in the rotation.
The Cubs offense will have the pleasure of facing Andrew Cashner this afternoon. Cashner is penciled in Bud Black’s rotation behind RHP James Shields.
When Cashner has been off the DL, he’s been very good. Cashner was 5-7 in 19 starts last year with a 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 3.09 FIP.
Andrew Cashner likes pitching against the Cubs so he can show Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer they gave up on him too early. Cashner was the main part of the deal that landed Anthony Rizzo with the Cubs.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …