I can't remember a season in which there was as little buzz around a Cubs/White Sox game -- even just a spring training game -- as this year.
Think about it. Since 1997, when interleague play began, one or the other of the teams (or both) has been in contention virtually every season. Not this year. Neither Chicago team is expected to do much.
Still, we'll get a chance to see them live this afternoon. If you miss this telecast, you can watch the game Saturday morning at 8 a.m. CT on MLB Network.
The Cubs announced four roster cuts this morning, none of them a surprise: right-handed pitchers Marco Carrillo and Trey McNutt, infielder Jonathan Mota and outfielder Jae-Hoon Ha have all been reassigned to minor league camp. That leaves the spring roster at 59, which breaks down this way: 28 pitchers (eight non-roster invitees), seven catchers (four non-roster invitees), 14 infielders (five non-roster invitees) and 10 outfielders (three non-roster invitees).
Cubs lineup:
Soriano DH, Barney 2B, Baker RF, LaHair 1B, Byrd CF, Mather LF, Clevenger C, Lake SS, Gonzalez 3B
White Sox lineup:
De Aza CF, Pierzynski C, Rios RF, Konerko 1B, Dunn DH, Ramirez SS, Viciedo LF, Morel 3B, Beckham 2B
For the Cubs, they're still experimenting. For the White Sox, that could be their Opening Day lineup. Travis Wood will start for the Cubs; among other Cubs expected to throw today are Randy Wells, Rodrigo Lopez, John Gaub, Dae-Eun Rhee and Lendy Castillo. Marco Carrillo is also on the list, despite being reassigned to minor league camp today. The White Sox counter with Chris Sale, who is slated to be in their rotation this year after a couple of years in the bullpen, and be followed by Nestor Molina, Matt Thornton, Nate Jones, Brian Bruney, Charlie Leesman and... former Cubs prospect Donnie Veal.
Today's game is being televised via WGN -- with the Sox announcers, so have your mute button handy. Here is the MLB.com Mediacenter for today. Radio broadcast of today's game is via cubs.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie.
Note that for spring training gameday links, you probably will not get pitch-by-pitch as during the regular season; these are unofficial links. Each play will be posted, but might not be updated until after each half-inning.
There will be one overflow thread, which will post at 3:30 pm CT. The "Recent Stories in Game Threads" box on the sidebar is where you'll find it.
Please visit our SB Nation White Sox site South Side Sox. The usual caution is advised.
Discuss amongst yourselves.