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| Photo via ChicagoNow.com |
It's been nearly five months since the Cubs hung up their spikes and jerseys to end a frustrating 2012 season that saw the Northsiders lose 100 games for the first time since 1966. But alas spring beckons anew, and today begins the grind. This afternoon, the Cubs kick off the Spring Training slate in Tempe against the team that many are pegging to be the odds-on favorite to win the American League, the Los Angeles Angels.
Cubs(ss) at Angels(ss)
Diablo Stadium | Tempe, Ariz.Cubs Lineup:
Logan Watkins 2B
Dave Sappelt CF
Anthony Rizzo 1B
Scott Hairston RF
Carlos Valbuena 3B
Welington Castillo C
Brett Jackson LF
Brent Lillibridge SS
Darnell McDonald DH
Travis Wood P
Angels Lineup:
Peter Bourjos CF
Erick Aybar SS
Mark Trumbo 1B
Hank Conger C
Bill Hall 3B
Scott Cousins RF
Trent Oletjen LF
Luis Rodriguez 2B
Luke Carlin DH
Jerome Williams P
Here's some news and notes ahead of today's game:
- Travis Wood gets the start for the Cubs, as he looks to solidify his spot in the rotation. Wood struggled to start the 2012 season, but finished the season with 3.56 ERA spanning August and September, including a K-BB ratio of 2.71. With Scott Baker and Carlos Villanueva added to the mix, the pressure has mounted on the Cubs' arms, and Wood will need to have a solid spring to re-earn his rotation spot.
- Speaking of Scott Baker, the former Twin felt good after throwing 45 pitches in the bullpen. He's still a couple of extended sessions from seeing live action, but it's a big step forward for Baker, who was a low risk/high reward signing in the offseason.
- Ian Stewart is said to be out 10-14 days with a left quad strain, according to Carrie Muskat. Per Cubs.com, Stewart had an MRI on after tweaking the quad during Thursday's intersquad game. Since Spring Training is starting so early due to the World Baseball Classic, the injury shouldn't interfere with Stewart's ability to make the 25-man Opening Day roster.
- In possibly the best news of the day for the Cubs so far, the Halos are sitting their big three this afternoon, and neither Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton or Mike Trout will start. This is a split-squad game for both teams, and even though the Cubs are not playing two games today, Mike Scioscia is giving his stars an extra day of drills before starting their Spring Training campaigns. Yes, it's just Spring Training, but it's the little victories that matter, right?
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