Spring Training Game Twenty-One: Cubs (9-10-1) vs. Padres (8-10)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: WBBM 780-AM
- Location – Sloan Park, Mesa
Jason Hammel (1-1, 6.00, 1.56) vs. James Shields (1-1, 3.86, 0.86)
The Cubs get back to work this afternoon against the San Diego Padres at Sloan Park.
The Cubs open the 2015 MLB season two weeks from today against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field and the final 13 days in Arizona should be very interesting.
Joe Maddon will start playing his regulars deeper into games while putting his players in game situations. Relievers will be used in roles Maddon is envisioning them being in when the season starts and he should start managing the exhibition contests the way he would when the games count in 14 days.
Jason Hammel gets the ball this afternoon and faces James Shields. The two former rotation mates were almost reunited this off-season. Shields said his final decision came down to the Padres and Cubs.
Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies have the game on Comcast SportsNet. On the radio side, Ron Coomer and Dan Mason will call the action from Sloan Park on WBBM. Pat Hughes is expected back in the booth next weekend. And Len Kasper said Saturday that he will be the fourth-wheel in the WBBM booth this season when the Cubs are on National TV.
This afternoon all starts with Jason Hammel …
Jason Hammel makes his fourth spring start today. After two not-so-good outings against the Rockies and Angels, Hammel was very good his last time out. Spring stats are not a way to gauge a player’s performance, and for as much as he struggled with his command in the first two outings, he was equally as good against the Royals on St. Paddy’s Day.
Hammel surrendered six runs on nine hits in his first five spring innings. In his last outing, Hammel stifled a majority of the Royals everyday lineup. Hammel had good fastball command and gave up just two hits over four shutout innings.
Jason Hammel has allowed six runs on 11 hits with three walks and six strikeouts in three Cactus League starts (nine innings).
The Cubs get their first look at James Shields in a Padres’ uniform today. Shields has been solid, as one would expect, in the Cactus League.
After two shutout spring outings against the Giants and Dodgers, Shields was charged with four runs, three earned, on three hits with two walks his last time out against the Brewers. Shields lasted just three innings and struck out five batters.
In his first three spring outings, Shields has allowed four runs, three earned, on four hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts
James Shields is expected to throw around 75 pitches today.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …