Cubs vs. Brewers at Mesa preview, Saturday 3/2, 2:05 CT

MESA, Arizona — For the second time this week, the Cubs will face a team for the second time. That’s highly unusual these days in spring training. It used to happen a lot more often when there were only eight teams in the Cactus League and each team would play everyone else at least four times a spring. Now, with 15 teams, there are years when you don’t see a team at home. This year, the Cubs won’t play the Indians at Sloan Park (though they will travel to Goodyear to play them).

All of that is not really very important, just a random Saturday observation.

There is a small chance of an isolated shower in the area this afternoon. Most likely it won’t rain, but just in case, this might be of some use to you during the game:

Here are today’s particulars.

Cubs lineup:

Almora CF, Zobrist DH, Rizzo 1B, Bryant 3B, Baez SS, Heyward RF, Contreras C, Descalso 2B, Hannemann LF

Brewers lineup:

Cain CF, Yelich LF, Aguilar 1B, Shaw 3B, Moustakas 2B, Grandal C, Arcia SS, Gamel RF, Kratz DH

Today, unlike the last time the Brewers were in Mesa, we’ll see almost all their regulars. No Ryan Braun, though.

Jon Lester will start for the Cubs. Cubs relievers scheduled today (in alphabetical order): Alberto Baldonado, Christian Bergman, Matt Carasiti, Steve Cishek, Ian Clarkin and Rowan Wick.

Chase Anderson will go for the Brewers.

This is the second time this spring the Cubs will see Anderson.

Today’s game is on WGN-TV, the first game of 2019 for the Cubs TV team. It’s also on 670 The Score.

MLB.com Gameday

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.

Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.

Please visit our SB Nation Brewers site Brew Crew Ball. If you do go there to interact with Brewers 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.

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 Day.

Discuss amongst yourselves.