Spring Training Game Four: Cubs (0-2-1) vs. Rockies (0-3)
- Game Time – 2:05pm CST
- Coverage – TV: None – Radio: WBBM 780-AM
- Location – Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale
Jason Hammel (0-0, -.–, -.–) vs. Brett Marshall (0-0, -.–, -.–)
The Cubs hit the road this afternoon and travel to Scottsdale to take on the Colorado Rockies.
Jason Hammel makes his spring debut after re-signing with the Cubs in the off-season. And Felix Doubront is scheduled to follow Hammel for a couple of innings. Doubront is competing with Travis Wood, Edwin Jackson and Tsuyoshi Wada for the fifth spot in the rotation.
The Rockies scratched LHP Jorge De La Rosa and will have RHP Brett Marshall start the game. The former Cub-for-a-minute will face a starting nine that includes Rizzo, Castro, Soler and Bryant.
Anthony Rizzo is in the two-hole again today and will be followed by Starlin Castro. Joe Maddon’s starting nine also includes Jorge Soler in right and Kris Bryant at third base.
Pat Hughes is back on the radio this afternoon. Pat and Ron Coomer will call the games for the next two days as Cubs Radio makes its debut on WBBM 780-AM.
Today all starts with Jason Hammel …
Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer made Jason Hammel a priority in the off-season and the Cubs kept their word. Hammel re-signed with the Cubs after he was dealt to the A’s on July 4. Hammel inked a two-year contract for $20 million that includes a $12 million club option for 2017.
Hammel was very good with the Cubs last year. Hammel posted an 8-5 record in 17 starts with a 2.98 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 3.19 FIP. Hammel gave up 88 hits in 108 2/3 innings with 23 walks and 104 strikeouts. For the year, Hammel was a combined 10-11 in 30 appearances, 29 starts, for the Cubs and A’s with a 3.47 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 3.92 FIP. Hammel allowed 70 runs, 68 earned, on 154 hits with 44 walks and 158 strikeouts in 176 1/3 innings.
Felix Doubront is expected to follow Hammel on Saturday afternoon. Doubront was solid in his four starts for the Cubs last season after he was acquired from the Red Sox just before the trade deadline for a PTBNL that turned out to be SS Marco Hernandez.
Doubront was 2-1 in four starts with the Cubs that included a 3.98 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 4.66 FIP. In 21 combined appearances, 14 starts, for the Red Sox and Cubs last season, Doubront was 4-5 with a 5.54 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 5.13 FIP.
Jorge De La Rosa was scheduled to start this afternoon’s game but was scratched due to left groin tightness. RHP Brett Marshall will make the spring start instead.
Brett Marshall was one of the many waiver claims by the Cubs during the 2013-14 off-season. The Cubs claimed Marshall off waivers from the Yankees on Dec. 23, 2013 but were unable to stash him in the system. The Cubs put him on waivers and the Reds claimed him on Feb. 12, 2014. Marshall spent last season in the Reds system. Marshall battled injuries and was 1-10 in 16 games, 15 starts, for Triple-A Louisville with a 6.56 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP.
Rafael Betancourt, LaTroy Hawkins and John Axford are scheduled to follow Marshall in Walt Weiss’ pitching plans for Saturday.
Cubs Starting Lineup versus Brett Marshall
- Dexter Fowler – CF
- Anthony Rizzo – 1B
- Starlin Castro – SS
- Miguel Montero – C
- Jorge Soler – RF
- Kris Bryant – 3B
- Chris Coghlan – LF
- David Ross – DH
- Jonathan Herrera – 2B
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …