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SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- Tonight's game will be another "replay review test" game for the Cubs (and, of course, Rockies too). This is the fourth such game. So far, manager Rick Renteria has asked for only one review, at the night game vs. the Padres in Peoria a week ago on a play in which Ryan Kalish was called out on the field. The call was upheld after review, and looking at the play again:
I think the review people made the right call there. Now, during the regular season they will have many more camera angles for review purposes. Most spring-training games are covered by just four cameras, while regular-season games are covered by 10 cameras, more for national-TV games. So these reviews will be more accurate, theoretically, once the season starts. On the other hand, they could take longer if more angles need to be reviewed.
This is why they're having these tests. Anyway, on to the game info.
Cubs lineup:
Bonifacio SS, Barney 2B, Ruggiano LF, Rizzo 1B, Schierholtz RF, Sweeney CF, Valbuena 3B, Kottaras C, Villanueva P
Mike Olt says he'll be at third base Thursday in Mesa against the Mariners.
Rockies lineup:
Blackmon CF, Cuddyer RF, Gonzalez LF, Tulowitzki SS, Morneau 1B, Rosario C, Arenado 3B, LeMahieu 2B, Morales P
Third time the Cubs have played the Rox this spring. First time we have seen Justin Morneau.
Carlos Villanueva, still in the running for the fifth spot in the rotation, goes for the Cubs. Others scheduled tonight are several key members of the bullpen: Pedro Strop, Jose Veras, Hector Rondon and Wesley Wright.
Franklin Morales starts for the Rockies. Also scheduled: Matt Belisle and LaTroy Hawkins. Know how long Hawkins has been around? One of his teammates in his first September callup year (1995 with the Twins) was... Kirby Puckett.
Today's game is on cubs.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie. It will be televised live on MLB Network via ROOT Sports Denver, and you can also watch online if you have a MLB.TV subscription.
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 tonight's game, that will be 8:30 p.m. CT and 10 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.