:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49184227/usa-today-9216088.0.jpg)
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- After a spring that was completely devoid of rain (hadn't rained in the Phoenix area since January 31, and that was only sprinkles) and full of sunny, warm days, clouds and a bit of drizzle invaded the area overnight and into the morning.
Not exactly the conditions players like for spring training, but perhaps it'll get the Cubs ready for the inevitable chilly, rainy weather we often get in Chicago in April.
It's supposed to clear by afternoon, with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s, cool for this time of year (average high for this date is 79).
With the weather forecast out of the way, here's the rest of today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Schwarber LF, Heyward CF, Zobrist 2B, Rizzo 1B, La Stella 3B, Montero C, Russell SS, Szczur RF, Arrieta P
Athletics lineup:
Crisp CF, Semien SS, Coghlan 2B, Butler DH, Canha 1B, Lambo LF, Phegley C, Chapman 3B, Olson RF
Jake Arrieta starts for the Cubs today. That, of course, is good news. Also on the list for the Cubs: Travis Wood, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon.
Sonny Gray goes for the A's. Also on Oakland's list: John Axford, Ryan Madson, Fernando Rodriguez and Marc Rzepczynski.
Today's game is on cubs.com with Mick Gillispie. It will also be televised on CSN Chicago with Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies. The CSN broadcast will be picked up for national coverage via MLB Network.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Please visit our SB Nation Athletics site Athletics Nation. If you do go there to interact with A's fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
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 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. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher boxes and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
Discuss amongst yourselves.