Spring Training Game Thirty: Cubs (13-15-1) vs. Rangers (ss) (9-15-3)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: MLB.com – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Surprise Stadium, Surprise
Eric Jokisch (1-1, 6.00, 1.42) vs. Derek Holland (0-0, 0.00, 1.00)
The Cubs hit the road in the Cactus League for one last time this spring. The Cubs return to Surprise today in the penultimate game on the Cactus League schedule. The Cubs wrap up the official part of Spring Training Wednesday with a game against the Brewers at Sloan Park. And following an off-day Thursday, the Cubs play the final two exhibition games against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Cubs haven’t seen the Rangers since the opening weekend. The Cubs lost Jake Arrieta’s first spring start, Eric Jokisch followed Jake Arrieta on that Sunday afternoon.
Eric Jokisch makes his final appearance with the big league team before he reports to minor league camp. The Cubs optioned the lefty to Iowa last Saturday.
It’s a split squad day for the Rangers. While one half of Texas’ roster hosts the Cubs, the other half with Nick Martinez on the hill faces the Diamondbacks in Scottsdale.
Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie have the call of today’s game on Cubs.com. And the moving pictures will be available on MLB.TV courtesy of the Texas Rangers broadcasters.
This afternoon all begins with Eric Jokisch …
Eric Jokisch makes his third Cactus League start today. Jokisch has filled in the Cubs’ spring rotation for Jon Lester as the veteran southpaw has been building his arm strength and pitch count in minor games. Jokisch put together an inconsistent spring, but showed signs of how good he can be facing big league hitters. Jokisch needs more developmental time in the minors.
Jokisch struggled with his mechanics the last time out and the Angels put four runs on the board in four innings. Jokisch gave up six hits with a strikeout.
In four appearances, two starts, in the Cactus League, Eric Jokisch has allowed 11 runs, eight earned, on 15 hits with two HBP, two walks and seven strikeouts. Jokisch faced the Rangers back on March 8 and rumors have suggested the ball Joey Gallo hit is still orbiting Sloan Park.
Derek Holland makes his second appearance and second start in the Cactus League this afternoon. Holland dealt with a sore shoulder and wasn’t able to pitch in a Cactus League game until March 20.
Holland completed three innings of shutout ball and gave up just two hits with a walk and no strikeouts to the Mariners.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …