Spring Training Game Twelve: Cubs (ss) (2-8-1) vs. Athletics (ss) (7-4-1)
- Game Time – 2:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: None – Radio: MLB.com (Oakland)
- Location – Cashman Field, Las Vegas
Kyle Hendricks (0-0, 0.00, 1.50) vs. Jesse Hahn (0-1, 6.75, 2.00)
Spring Training Game Thirteen: Cubs (ss) (2-8-1) vs. Brewers (3-6)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: MLB.TV (Brewers) – Radio: WBBM 780-AM
- Location – Maryvale Baseball Park, Maryvale
Edwin Jackson (0-1, 0.00, 2.00) vs. Jimmy Nelson (0-0, 0.00, 2.00)
The Cubs long weekend of exhibition games continues this afternoon with the last of two in Las Vegas and the first meeting of the year with the Brewers in Maryvale.
Kyle Hendricks takes the ball for his first start of the spring in Vegas as the Cubs look to complete the two game sweep. C.J. Edwards is scheduled to follow Hendricks and Armando Rivero is expected to make his spring debut. The Cubs will face righty Jesse Hahn at Cashman Field while the other half of the A’s roster, with Jesse Chavez on the hill, hosts the Giants at HoHoKam Park.
The other half of the Cubs roster that managed only one run, a Matt Szczur homer, on two hits over the first six innings at Sloan Park on Friday afternoon, make the trip to Maryvale to face the Brewers.
Edwin Jackson gets another shot today to show he has anything left at this point of his career. Jackson and the Cubs said all of the right things prior to his outing last Monday, then reality set in. Jackson picked up where he’s left off the last two years and he could be pitching over the next three weeks just to stay in the game much less on the Cubs’ roster.
Coverage of today’s game in Las Vegas is limited to the A’s radio network. The game in Maryvale will be called by Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer on WBBM and the Brewers will broadcast the moving pictures.
Today all starts with Kyle Hendricks and Edwin Jackson …
Spring Training Game Twelve: Cubs (ss) (2-8-1) vs. Athletics (ss) (7-4-1)
Kyle Hendricks makes his first start and second appearance of the spring this afternoon. Hendricks followed Edwin Jackson last Monday at Sloan Park and tossed two scoreless innings against the Padres. Hendricks gave up three hits and struck out a batter but he did not issue a free pass.
Unless something unexpected happens, Hendricks will begin the season as the fourth starter in the Cubs rotation. Hendricks was 7-2 in 13 starts a year ago with a 2.46 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. And very few think Hendricks will be able to repeat his rookie performance. Until he puts together a couple of solid seasons at the big league level, the questions will continue to be asked if he has what it takes to be a successful pitcher in the big leagues.
Hendricks is scheduled for three innings today. C.J. Edwards is expected to follow Hendricks with two innings then it is lefty time. Joseph Ortiz and Drake Britton are on the travel roster to follow Edwards and Armando Rivero is scheduled for his first appearance in the exhibition season.
Jesse Hahn takes the ball for the third time this spring for his second start. Hahn has allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings. Hahn struggled against the Giants on March 4 and was solid in three innings against the Rangers his last time out (one run on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts in three innings). Hahn’s only mistake against the Rangers was a solo homer by Rougned Odor.
The Cubs are the ‘home team’ for today’s game in Las Vegas.
Spring Training Game Thirteen: Cubs (ss) (2-8-1) vs. Brewers (3-6)
Edwin Jackson makes his second start of the spring this afternoon. Jackson was Edwin Jackson in his first outing and could not pitch his way out of trouble before giving up a long home run. Jackson committed one of the two errors that opened the door to a big inning from the Padres. Jackson wasn’t charged with any earned runs but the Padres scored four runs, three on a homer by Will Middlebrooks, on four hits in two innings. The good news, Jackson didn’t walk a batter and struck out one.
Travis Wood has the advantage in the competition for the fifth starter’s spot. But Edwin Jackson and Felix Doubront remain possibilities to follow Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, Jason Hammel and Kyle Hendricks in the rotation when the season starts.
When the Brewers traded Yovani Gallardo to the Rangers, a spot in the rotation was cleared for Jimmy Nelson. The 25-year old right hander has been very good in the minors but hasn’t been able to translate that success to the majors. The Brewers think Nelson is ready for the majors and he’s already been given a spot in their rotation.
Nelson makes his second start of the spring today. Nelson completed two scoreless innings against the Royals last Monday and allowed just one hit with no walks or strikeouts.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …