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Open Thread: Cubs vs. Royals at Surprise, Saturday 3/10, 2:05 CT

Man, am I glad the Cubs are playing the Royals today.

Because they're not very good and the Cubs have a good chance of winning. Did you think there was another reason?

Reversing the order of last Monday, Ted Lilly will start and Mark Prior will throw in relief. The last time Prior made a relief appearance was in 2001, for USC. Not that this really matters at this stage of the spring -- it's more a matter of getting his work in, and also giving Lilly a chance to stretch out to three innings as a starter.

It's confirmed today -- Rich Hill's in the rotation and Ryan Theriot is definitely on the Opening Day roster. Both of those things are good news.

Lou Piniella praised Hill:

"I like the way he goes about his business," Piniella said. "He's serious, he's got good mound presence, and he's getting better and better.

"I feel comfortable with him," Piniella said. "He had a nice year in the second half. He's a good left-handed pitcher with a good upside. All I want him to do is get his work in and be ready for the fourth start of the season."

And, about Theriot:

Piniella has told the versatile infielder to relax.

"I don't believe in unnecessarily putting pressure on young kids to make the baseball team," Piniella said. "I told him to work hard in camp and when we go to Cincinnati from Las Vegas, he'll be on that plane with us."

What a refreshing change from the last manager.

A reminder to everyone: if you live in the USA or Canada, Daylight Saving Time begins tomorrow, three weeks earlier than in past years.

So, turn your clock ahead one hour at 2 am -- except, in the US, in the following locations:

Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Arizona. The Navajo Nation participates in the Daylight Saving Time policy, even in Arizona, due to its large size and location in three states.

And the rules are different for certain parts of Canada:

In Newfoundland and Labrador Daylight Saving Time begins one minute after midnight (12:01 a.m.) local time on the second Sunday in March.

The practical effect of all of this on us as Cubs fans is, beginning tomorrow, the games will start at 3:05 central time, not 2:05.

Today's 2:05 start is on CSN Chicago and WGN Radio, which means it will be available on MLB Audio. In fact, on MLB Audio you'll have your choice of Ron & Pat, or the Royals radio team.

MLB.com Gameday

I'll update this with lineups when I get them. UPDATE [2007-3-10 12:59:21 by Al]: The Cubs lineup, courtesy of Bruce Miles, is in the comments.

Discuss amongst yourselves.