Spring Training Game Two: Cubs (0-1) vs. Angels (1-1)
- Game Time – 2:05pm CST
- Coverage – TV: MLB.TV – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Sloan Park, Mesa
Pierce Johnson (0-0, -.–, -.–) vs. Jered Weaver (0-0, -.–, -.–)
The Cubs take the field at Sloan Park for the first time this spring and will look to put a spring win on the board in front of the home crowd.
Pierce Johnson gets the ball today. Johnson is considered one of the Cubs’ top pitching prospects. The 24-year old right hander is expected to begin the year in Triple-A Iowa’s rotation after spending last season with Double-A Tennessee. Johnson is scheduled to pitch the first two innings against veteran right hander Jered Weaver.
The Cubs will get their first look at Weaver since last spring. The Angels have lined up Weaver to get the start on Opening Night against the Cubs and Jake Arrieta in Anaheim. By the time the Cubs are done playing the Angels in the regular season, Weaver could start two of the four games.
Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Dexter Fowler are expected to be in Maddon’s starting lineup this afternoon. And it will be interesting to see who gets the start at first base in the Cubs’ second game of the spring.
Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie have the call on Cubs.com and the exhibition game can be seen on MLB.TV. MLB Network is televising today’s game on tape delay, an hour behind first pitch (3:05pm CST).
Today all starts with Pierce Johnson …
Pierce Johnson was very good for the Smokies last year after starting the season on the disabled list. Johnson is slated to begin this year in Iowa’s rotation although some scouts think he will eventually be a reliever in the big leagues.
Johnson was 6-2 in 16 starts for Double-A Tennessee last season with a 2.27 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. Johnson allowed 24 runs, 22 earned, on 76 hits with 32 walks and 72 strikeouts in 95 innings.
The Cubs get their first look of the year at Jered Weaver. The veteran right hander had a rough 2015 season. Weaver was 7-12 in 26 starts with a 4.64 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 4.81 FIP. Weaver gave up 84 runs, 82 earned, on 163 hits with 33 walks and 90 strikeouts in 159 innings.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …