Spring Training Game Thirty: Cubs (10-17-2) vs. Mets (7-16-5)
- Game Time – 7:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network – Radio: Cubs.com
- Location – Cashman Field, Las Vegas
Ryan Williams (0-0, 0.00, 1.33) vs. Paul Sewald (0-0, 12.00, 2.33)
The Cubs make the annual Spring Training trip to Las Vegas and will play two games against the Mets at Cashman Field for the second straight year. The Cubs have participated in Big League Weekend at Cashman Field every spring since 2005, the first of the 12-spring stretch was a match-up with the Seattle Mariners in an exhibition game started by Ryan Dempster.
The Cubs are sending RHP Ryan Williams to the hill tonight. Williams spent a majority of Spring Training in big league camp as a non-roster invitee. Williams was scheduled to square off against Jacob deGrom. The Mets changed plans and will have a bullpen game tonight that will be started by Paul Sewald. deGrom’s wife is due to give birth to the couple’s first child on Tuesday and he was concerned about being too far away from his family.
Jason Hammel is scheduled to face Steven Matz on Friday afternoon in the conclusion of the two-game exhibition series.
Kris Bryant and a majority of Joe Maddon’s regulars are expected to play the next two days. Dexter Fowler will take batting practice prior to Thursday’s game and if all goes as planned he will be back in the lineup Friday afternoon.
Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies have the moving pictures on Comcast SportsNet and MLB Network will televise tonight’s game from Las Vegas. On the radio side, Mick Gillispie has the call on Cubs.com.
Tonight all starts with Ryan Williams …
Ryan Williams had a good start to Spring Training and pitched well during his time in big league camp. Williams appeared in three Cactus League games, all in relief, and will make his first start of the spring in what is considered a Major League Spring Training game.
Williams received a non-roster invite to camp, was reassigned to the minor league side on March 25 and has been preparing for the season on the backfields.
Williams completed six innings in the three Cactus League games and did not allow a run. Williams surrendered seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts.
The Cubs have not announced Opening Day rosters for the minor league affiliates yet. Williams is expected to begin the season in the I-Cubs rotation.
Paul Sewald was a non-roster invitee to Mets’ camp. Sewald appeared in three Grapefruit League games, all in relief, and put together solid outings against the Cardinals and Yankees. The Nationals scored three runs on four hits in one inning against Sewald back on March 3.
Sewald has pitched one inning in each of his three Grapefruit League games. In three innings, Sewald allowed four runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts (12.00 ERA, 2.33 WHIP).
Paul Sewald has not pitched above the Double-A level in the Mets’ system. Last year, Sewald was 3-0 in 44 games with 24 saves, a 1.75 ERA and 0.87 WHIP. Sewald allowed 12 runs, 10 earned, on 34 hits with 10 walks and 56 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings.
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …