Spring Training Game Five: Cubs (0-3-1) vs. Rangers (ss) (1-3)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: None – Radio: WBBM 780-AM
- Location – Sloan Park, Mesa
Jake Arrieta (0-0, -.–, -.–) vs. Ross Ohlendorf (0-0, -.–, -.–)
The Cubs get back to work this afternoon against a Rangers’ split squad in Mesa. And Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer have the call on WBBM.
Jake Arrieta makes his first start of the spring and is scheduled to pitch two innings before turning the game over to Tsuyoshi Wada and the bullpen. Arismendy Alcantara, Javier Baez, Mike Olt and Addison Russell are in Joe Maddon’s starting lineup.
While Ross Ohlendorf gets the start in Mesa this afternoon, the other half of the Rangers roster will be in Goodyear taking on the Indians. Kyuji Fujikawa is scheduled to pitch in Goodyear, not in Mesa against his former team.
The Rangers are dealing with news the team received about Yu Darvish and if healthy, Ohlendorf has a chance to crack Texas’ rotation out of Spring Training.
Beginning today, a majority of the Cubs Spring Training games will start at 3:05pm CDT. Arizona does not recognize daylight saving time.
Today all starts with Jake Arrieta …
The Cubs are looking for Jake Arrieta to pick up where he left off last season. Arrieta has been really good since the trade with the Orioles in 2013. Arrieta posted a 10-5 record last year in 25 starts with a 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 2.26 FIP. Arrieta gave up 114 hits in 156 2/3 innings with 41 walks and 167 strikeouts. Arrieta was one of the big reasons for the improvement the Cubs showed after the break.
Arrieta was slowed last spring by a sore right shoulder and spent the first month of the season on a minor league rehab assignment. Arrieta is healthy this year and is looking forward to pitching in the rotation for a full season.
Tsuyoshi Wada is scheduled to follow Arrieta this afternoon. Wada is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation with Travis Wood, Edwin Jackson, Jacob Turner and Felix Doubront. Wada re-signed with the Cubs in the off-season for $4 million after going 4-4 in 13 starts with a 3.25 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 3.75 FIP. ‘Dr. K’ surrendered 67 hits with 19 walks and 57 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings at the big league level.
Ross Ohlendorf has not pitched in the majors since 2013. Ohlendorf was 4-1 in 16 appearances, seven starts, for the Nationals with a 3.28 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 4.03 FIP. The former Pirates’ starter spent last year in the Nationals’ system dealing with a back injury and was 1-1 in five starts over three levels with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Ohlendorf signed a minor league contract with the Rangers this winter.
RHP Ross Wolf, RHP David Martinez and Chicago native RHP Jon Edwards are scheduled to follow Ohlendorf this afternoon.
Cubs Starting Lineup versus Ross Ohlendorf
- Arismendy Alcantara – CF
- Tommy La Stella – 3B
- Javier Baez – 2B
- Ryan Sweeney – RF
- Mike Olt – DH
- Chris Valaika – 1B
- Welington Castillo – C
- Junior Lake – LF
- Addison Russell – SS
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …