3/31 - Cubs (SHARK!) @ Pirates (Liriano) - 12:05 CT WGN/ESPN

[CubInOK]

Olt 3B

Please be good this season. :beg:

[davell]

Ruggiano is a bit banged up, isn't he?

 

Is he? Must've missed that.

He was scratched a few days with a sore ankle. Don't think he's played since.

[Guest]

Ruggiano is a bit banged up, isn't he?

 

In that case my preference would be Sweeney over Schierholtz.

 

 

However, given the composition of the roster, there's going to be dozens of combinations that may seem less than ideal but may still make sense. I hope we can at least give some time for Renteria to feel out his roster(which has a ton of similar players to begin with) before getting overly angry at lineup decisions.

[Guest]

Ruggiano's ankle is still bothering him.

[Guest]

@ESPNChiCubs Ruggiano still nursing an ankle so prob why he's not in. Especially w a day off tomorrow

[A New Era]

I'll be more excited about Javy Day, and Kris Day, but Opening Day should be pretty fun....

 

View opening day as Olt day. .

[Banedon]

I'll be more excited about Javy Day, and Kris Day, but Opening Day should be pretty fun....

 

View opening day as Olt day. .

 

Castro, Rizzo, Olt...those will be the players I'm actually interested in today.

[Guest]

Lake grabbed my attention with the last week or so.

 

I still think he sucks but I want to see what he does, regardless.

[Guest]

heh Ruggiano Tweeted this of himself from little league

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkD8DZ4IMAAWtw6.jpg:large

[rawaction]

Lake grabbed my attention with the last week or so.

 

I still think he sucks but I want to see what he does, regardless.

 

Lake and Castillo and Samarzdija should also be of interest to most people. All 3 could be part of a "good" Cubs team in the future or return a major part to a good Cubs team.

[Sammy Sofa]

Lake grabbed my attention with the last week or so.

 

I still think he sucks but I want to see what he does, regardless.

 

Lake and Castillo and Samarzdija should also be of interest to most people. All 3 could be part of a "good" Cubs team in the future or return a major part to a good Cubs team.

 

Can the Cubs really afford to part with Castillo?

[Guest]

Lake grabbed my attention with the last week or so.

 

I still think he sucks but I want to see what he does, regardless.

 

Lake and Castillo and Samarzdija should also be of interest to most people. All 3 could be part of a "good" Cubs team in the future or return a major part to a good Cubs team.

 

Can the Cubs really afford to part with Castillo?

 

Depends if they think he's a productive player going forward or not

[gscool89]

Bonifacio CF

Lake LF

Castro SS

Rizzo 1B

Olt 3B

Castillo C

Schierholtz RF

Barney 2B

Samardzija P

 

Marte LF

Snider RF

McCutchen CF

Alvarez 3B

Martin C

Walker 2B

Ishikawa 1B

Mercer SS

Liriano P

[Schwarber Fan]

That Pirates lineup has no business being in the playoffs again.

[Old Style]

LET'S DO THIS! THIS IS OUR YEAR!

 

(Maybe I should stop doing so many drugs.)

[NOLA]

LET'S DO THIS! THIS IS OUR YEAR!

 

(Maybe I should stop doing so many drugs.)

Screw that. I'll have what you're having.

[Sammy Sofa]

Lake grabbed my attention with the last week or so.

 

I still think he sucks but I want to see what he does, regardless.

 

Lake and Castillo and Samarzdija should also be of interest to most people. All 3 could be part of a "good" Cubs team in the future or return a major part to a good Cubs team.

 

Can the Cubs really afford to part with Castillo?

 

Depends if they think he's a productive player going forward or not

 

Well, yeah, but they're kinda stuck with him to the point of no return given their lack of catching options.

[sneakypower]

Travis Snider, oh what could have been...

 

Can the Cubs really afford to part with Castillo?

 

Depends if they think he's a productive player going forward or not

there's quite literally no other palatable options available

 

Cot's list of upcoming FA Cs:

John Buck

Ryan Doumit

Nick Hundley *

Gerald Laird

Russell Martin

Jeff Mathis *

Wil Nieves

Miguel Olivo

Ronny Paulino

A.J. Pierzynski

David Ross

Geovany Soto

Kurt Suzuki

 

so yeah, nothing to see here, and there aren't really any teams right now with a logjam of C talent at the big league level [link]...so really the only scenario i could see us moving on from Castillo is maybe if Hedges really forces his way onto the Padres roster and we make a Rizzo/Cashner-type push for Yasmani Grandal

[Guest]

Travis Snider, oh what could have been...

 

Can the Cubs really afford to part with Castillo?

 

Depends if they think he's a productive player going forward or not

there's quite literally no other palatable options available

 

Cot's list of upcoming FA Cs:

John Buck

Ryan Doumit

Nick Hundley *

Gerald Laird

Russell Martin

Jeff Mathis *

Wil Nieves

Miguel Olivo

Ronny Paulino

A.J. Pierzynski

David Ross

Geovany Soto

Kurt Suzuki

 

so yeah, nothing to see here, and there aren't really any teams right now with a logjam of C talent at the big league level [link]...so really the only scenario i could see us moving on from Castillo is maybe if Hedges really forces his way onto the Padres roster and we make a Rizzo/Cashner-type push for Yasmani Grandal

 

yeeeesh.... http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41799_155056944535260_6107_n.jpg

 

i would be interested in grandal though

[UMFan83]

I'll be more excited about Javy Day, and Kris Day, but Opening Day should be pretty fun....

 

View opening day as Olt day. .

 

In 2003 Corey Patterson hit a HR in the 1st inning of his 2nd opening day

In 2006 Murton hit a 1st inning HR in his 1st opening day

In 2009 Soriano lead off the season with a HR

In 2010 Byrd hit a 3 run HR in his first Cubs AB in the 1st

In 2010 Castro hit a HR in his first major league AB

In 2013 Rizzo hit a 1st inning HR in his 1st opening day

 

Cubs have a way with early magic

 

BTW in all 3 seasons Byrd played for the Cubs, he was the batter when the 1st Cubs run of the season scored. 2010 he hit a HR, in 2011 he reached on an error scoring a run, in 2012 he singled in a run (probably his only hit with the Cubs that season)

[Smack]

That Pirates lineup has no business being in the playoffs again.

 

Travis Ishikawa starting at first? Yuck.

[DiamondMind]

I love starting the season with a leadoff guy who had a 295 OBP last year! Go Cubs!

[Sammy Sofa]

I love starting the season with a leadoff guy who had a 295 OBP last year! Go Cubs!

 

.288 .342 .370 .712 career against LH starters! OH GOD, THIS IS HAPPENING.

[JonJayCutler]

Probably more excited for Olt than I should be.

[DiamondMind]

I love starting the season with a leadoff guy who had a 295 OBP last year! Go Cubs!

 

.288 .342 .370 .712 career against LH starters! OH GOD, THIS IS HAPPENING.

 

 

WAIT, LET ME CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT