Spring Training Game Nine: Cubs (1-7) vs. Mariners (4-4)
- Game Time – 2:10pm CST
- Coverage – TV: MLB.TV – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Peoria Sports Complex, Peoria
Jon Lester (0-0, -.–, -.–) vs. Wade Miley (0-0, 0.00, 1.00)
The Cubs hit the Spring Training road this afternoon and make the trip to Peoria to take on the Seattle Mariners.
Jon Lester makes his first start of the spring as the Cubs look to snap its six-game skid in the Cactus League. David Ross will be behind the plate for at least the first two innings of today’s game.
Spring Training games do not count. Health and preparation for the upcoming season are what teams focus on in the spring. But when a team starts off with one win out of the first eight games, the media picks up on it and tries to create storylines.
Joe Maddon has not run out his projected every day lineup one time. Only a few starters have played beyond the fifth inning. And the first round of spring roster cuts is still a couple of days away.
It’s still very early in the exhibition season.
Today all starts with Jon Lester …
Jon Lester makes his first start of the spring today. Lester had a better first season with the Cubs than a majority of the fan base and media are willing to admit. His issue with throwing to first base was blown out of proportion and focused on too much as he put together a good second half.
Lester was 11-12 in 32 starts last season with a 3.34 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 2.92 FIP. Lester allowed 83 runs, 76 earned, on 183 hits with 47 walks and 207 strikeouts in 205 innings. And after the break as Jake Arrieta was making history, Lester was 7-4 in 14 starts with a 3.04 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. Lester gave up 32 runs on 74 hits with 17 walks and 98 strikeouts in 94 2/3 innings.
Jon Lester is looking for a better second year with the Cubs. And for Maddon and Co. to reach their first goal, Lester will have to be a big factor in the team’s success.
Wade Miley makes his second start of the spring today. Miley kept the Angels off the board for two innings his first time out. The talented southpaw gave up one hit and walked a batter but did not surrender a run while striking out two.
Miley had a bad year with the Red Sox last season, his first and only in Boston. Miley was 11-11 in 32 starts with a 4.46 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 3.81 FIP. Jerry Dipoto made the deal with Dave Dombrowski and sent Roenis Elias and Carson Smith to the Red Sox for Jonathan Aro and Miley in early December. Miley should have a good year pitching in Seattle’s rotation.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …