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SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- You already read about the Cubs' "Respect Bald" charity event that's going to take place tomorrow. We're still hoping that BCB's Danny Rockett will be chosen to join the Cubs players and Joe Maddon having their heads shaved to help raise money for pediatric cancer research.
The Cubs are having another charity event today -- here are the details:
The Cubs’ wives will host their annual garage sale and mystery ball event in center field on Saturday at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz., from the start of the game through the second inning, or while supplies last. Fans can purchase baseballs autographed by players for $35. All proceeds will benefit Paz De Cristo in Mesa.
Last year, this sale included some spring-training jerseys. I bought a Matt Szczur jersey (he wore No. 72 last spring). Maybe they'll include those as well.
Here are the details for today's game:
Cubs lineup:
Baez 2B, Fowler CF, Bryant 3B, Soler RF, Rizzo 1B, Castro SS, Coghlan RF, Castillo C, Jokisch P
This is an interesting lineup. Javier Baez is likely leading off in order to give him as many at-bats as possible. Today is also the first time Kris Bryant has started at third base in a Sloan Park game this year (he's started away from Sloan, and substituted at Sloan prior to today).
Mariners lineup:
Jackson CF, Weeks LF, Cano 2B, Cruz RF, Seager 3B, Zunino C, Morrison 1B, Bloomquist DH, Miller SS
This was the game Jon Lester was supposed to start. Instead, Eric Jokisch gets the call. Others on the Cubs' pitching list: Hector Rondon, Justin Grimm, Blake Parker, Pedro Strop and Neil Ramirez (not necessarily in that order).
Felix Hernandez starts for the Mariners. He has made only one Cactus League start, though he did pitch in a minor-league game five days ago. Seattle's closer Fernando Rodney, Tyler Olson, Kevin Correia and Mark Lowe are also expected to throw today.
Today's game is on WBBM radio 780 with Len Kasper and Ron Coomer. (Yes, that's right -- Len is filling in for Pat Hughes today.)
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Please note that during spring training, Gameday doesn't usually go pitch-by-pitch as it does during the regular season -- usually, it will update after each at-bat.
For spring-training games, we'll have a first-pitch thread at five minutes to 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 3:05 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.