The Cubs dropped today’s game against the Dodgers in a relatively ugly fashion. Not so much in the way of the score, but in the fact that the Cubs were going with their Opening Day lineup, and the Dodgers, well, weren’t. It was a split squad of Dodgers that dominated the regular Cubs today. It’s still just Spring Training, and all that, but I have a feeling Dale Sveum would have liked to win this one.
The notable bits become significantly less notable now that we know the vast majority of the Opening Day 25-man roster. There are a couple battles left in the bullpen, though, and the starters are trying to round into regular season shape…
- Speaking of which, Ryan Dempster had an adequate final Spring outing. He went 4.2 innings, giving up just one earned run on four hits and three walks. He struck out three.
- As for the remaining bullpen battle, Manny Corpas and Lendy Castillo got the first chance to impress now that we know it’s down to just a few remaining candidates. Neither impressed. Corpas gave up three earned on two hits and a walk in 1.2 innings. Castillo wasn’t any better, maybe just luckier. He gave up just one earned run in 1.1 innings, but gave up three hits, a walk, and threw the ball away once, for good measure.
- The Cubs’ offense was a whole ball of nothing today, outside of an Ian Stewart moon shot. Six hits and three walks, total. Only Marlon Byrd reached base more than once (a walk and two hits, including a triple).
- Joe Mather made his first appearance at second base today (an error, and a double play turned). Interesting.
- I know that doesn’t seem like too much, but there really wasn’t a great deal to say about today’s game.