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SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- This afternoon's contest is the first time we will have seen the Dodgers since the Cubs dispatched them in the National League Championship Series.
Obviously, this game has far less importance. But it is important nevertheless, because it's the first time we will see one of the Cubs' top four starters, as Kyle Hendricks takes the mound for probably two innings. Today, he'll piggyback with Brett Anderson, also likely throwing two innings.
Here are today's particulars.
Cubs lineup:
Heyward DH, Bryant 3B, Zobrist 2B, Schwarber LF, Russell SS, Montero C, Jay CF, Candelario 1B, Szczur RF
Anthony Rizzo is out for the third straight day. I suppose they're just being cautious with him. And I wouldn't read anything into Kyle Schwarber batting cleanup -- having Jason Heyward leading off is simply to get him more at-bats.
Dodgers lineup:
Ethier LF, Utley 2B, Peterson CF, Hernandez SS, Toles RF, Segedin 1B, Culberson 3B, Wilson C, Holt DH
As noted above, Kyle Hendricks will start for the Cubs and will be followed by Brett Anderson. Other Cubs pitchers scheduled today: Pedro Strop, Hector Rondon, Seth Frankoff and Carl Edwards Jr.
Kenta Maeda gets the call for the Dodgers.
Today’s game is on WGN-TV with Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies. It’s also on cubs.com with Mick Gillispie. There will be a TV rebroadcast on MLB Network at 10 p.m. CT.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Please visit our SB Nation Dodgers site True Blue LA. If you do go there to interact with Dodgers 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 2 p.m. CT and 3:30 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 Night.
Discuss amongst yourselves.