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SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- ICYMI, there's discussion of the Cubs' 11 roster cuts made Friday going on here.
In addition to what I mentioned in that link, Michael Bowden and Rule 5 guy Hector Rondon have made the bullpen. Rondon has been, by far, the best Rule 5 reliever I have seen the Cubs select over the last several seasons; you surely remember guys like David Patton, Mike Parisi, Tim Fahey and the immortal Lendy Castillo, none of whom were worth the pick.
Rondon just might be. Kudos to Theo & Jed if this one works out.
Also today, the Brewers will be wearing these uniforms, which were the winning design in a fan contest. I actually rather like them. The cap design is an homage to this logo, which was the Brewers' primary logo from 1970-1977.
Cubs lineup:
DeJesus CF, Castro SS, Rizzo 1B, Soriano LF, Schierholtz RF, Castillo C, Valbuena 3B, Barney 2B, Villanueva P
For the second time this week, Dale Sveum is going with his Opening Day starting eight.
Brewers lineup:
Aoki RF, Schafer CF, Weeks 2B, Ramirez 3B, Maldonado C, Davis LF, Lalli 1B, Murphy SS, Gallardo P
Ah, yes. Our old buddy Blake Lalli, who apparently actually has a chance to make the Brewers' 25-man roster. It's also the Cubs' first look at former Cub Aramis Ramirez this spring.
This afternoon, Carlos Villanueva gets the start for the Cubs; he'll face Milwaukee's best (no, not the awful beer by that name), Yovani Gallardo.
This afternoon's game is on WGN-TV with Len & Jim. There will also be a webcast on cubs.com with Mick Gillispie and Jody Davis.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
For spring-training games, we'll have a first-pitch thread at game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time (because I know how you all like overflow threads!). For today, that will be 3 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT. These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked "Chicago Cubs Game Threads" at the bottom of the front page. They will also appear in this StoryStream™. The pitcher box and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
Discuss amongst yourselves.