Cubs vs. Brewers at Mesa Preview, Sunday 3/9, 3:05 CT

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- Wondering why you haven't seen James Russell in a game yet? Here's why:

"I got a little tired once I got out here," Russell said. "The weather was so bad in Texas, and I couldn't get out there every day. [I was throwing] every other day, and then coming out here and throwing every day kind of snuck up on me a little bit."

Russell, who has appeared in more than 70 games each of the last two seasons, said he needed one more side session before he'll be inserted into games.

"It was only four days," he said of the time he was sidelined. "I was cranked up, ready to go. All the long tossing went well and I feel strong."

Also, another reminder, as you see in the headline to this post: Due to Daylight Saving time beginning, most spring-training games will now begin at 3:05 p.m. Chicago time (with a few exceptions, noted here).

Cubs lineup:

Szczur LF, Valbuena 3B, Rizzo 1B, Ruggiano DH, Sweeney RF, Baez SS, Lake CF, Kottaras C, Barney 2B

Brewers lineup:

Weeks 2B, Schafer CF, Braun RF, Davis LF, Francisco 3B, Overbay 1B, Bianchi SS, Maldonado C, Green DH

Kyle Hendricks (yay!) will start for the Cubs. Other Cubs pitchers scheduled today were not available at the time I wrote this post.

Tyler Thornburg gets the start for Milwaukee. Others scheduled to throw for the Brewers: Zach Duke, Hiram Burgos, David Goforth, Brooks Hall and Michael Olmsted. The Brewers team visiting Mesa today is a split squad, though as you can see, many of their regulars will be in this game, including Ryan Braun. That ought to be an interesting "welcome."

Today's game is on cubs.com with Len Kasper and Mick Gillispie.

MLB.com Gameday

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's game, 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.