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The spring finale brings with it the chance to have a winning record, for whatever that's worth. The Cubs are 16-16 (with two ties), so they'll either have a winning or losing record for the spring after today... unless there's another tie game.
Which is entirely possible. Since these two teams play a four-game series at Wrigley Field starting next Monday, neither team wants to let the other have a look at any pitchers who might throw in that series. Thus the Cubs start Travis Wood, who's going to be in the Iowa rotation. The Brewers are a split-squad today (their other half is playing the Diamondbacks in a night game at Chase Field); check out who you'll be seeing today for them:
Catcher Jonathan Lucroy, first baseman Mat Gamel and outfielder Nyjer Morgan will make the trip to Mesa, but the rest of the afternoon roster will be Double-A Huntsville Stars, including starting pitcher Kyle Heckathorn.
Spring training is definitely too long. Bring on the season!
Cubs lineup:
DeJesus RF, Barney 2B, Castro SS, Soriano LF, Stewart 3B, Soto C, Byrd CF, DeWitt 1B, Johnson DH
I'd expect these guys to play about four innings, then take off for the team plane. Also note, Bryan LaHair is still out with back trouble. He hasn't played since Friday.
Brewers lineup:
Morgan CF, Gennett 2B, Lucroy C, Gamel 1B, Kjeldgaard RF, Davis LF, Gonzalez 3B, Bolivar SS, Heckathorn P
Who are those guys?
Today's game is on WGN radio with Pat & Keith. Here is the MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
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 4:30 pm CT. The "Recent Stories in Game Threads" box on the sidebar is where you'll find it.
Please visit our SB Nation Brewers site Brew Crew Ball. The usual caution is advised.
Discuss amongst yourselves.