Morning Marquee: Chicago Cubs rally to beat Rangers; Will Baez or Russell get to Chicago first this year?

Mar 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Matt Szczur (41) and right fielder Jorge Soler (68) look on during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Matt Szczur (41) and right fielder Jorge Soler (68) look on during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cubs rally to beat Rangers; First to Chicago in 2015: Baez or Russell?

After trailing to the Texas Rangers 7-1, the Chicago Cubs rallied late for 1 15-10 victory.

Matt Szczur

continued his hot spring and argument for a roster spot. He’s now batting .349 on the spring, with five home runs and nine RBI.

Eric Jokisch

was roughed up pretty good, allowing seven runs and 10 hits over just 3 1/3 innings. The Cubs will close out their spring home schedule Wednesday against Milwaukee.

It’s not crazy to say the Iowa Cubs will have a better infield than some Major League Clubs with Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Addison Russell. We know Bryant will get the call soon, but who will come first between Baez and Russell? The young shortstop seemed more comfortable in camp than Baez, and it’s possible could find his way to Chicago before the struggling slugger.

The hidden ball trick is one of the oldest in the book of baseball mischief. Some think it’s dirty, others find it fascinating. And it happens more often than you think, sometimes to the same player more than once (looking at you Ozzie Guillen). So for April Fool’s Day, Cut4 looked at 10 times the hidden ball trick worked. Shenanigans I tell you, shenanigans.

Former Cubs’ starter Paul Maholm was released by the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, which comes as a bit of a surprise. The Reds rotation isn’t what it was last year with the loss of Alfredo Simon and Mat Latos. Tony Cingrani looks to be coming out of the pen, so why would they release a guy who has had a solid spring? Questions abound in Cincinnati. Bad for them, good for us.

Here are these stories and more that you may have missed:

‘Chicago Cubs rally late to beat Rangers, 15-10’ –  Cubbies Crib

‘Will we see Addison Russell in Chicago before Baez? – Cubbies Crib

‘April Fool’s! 10 times the hidden ball trick worked’ – Cut4

‘What losing Paul Maholm means to the Cincinnati Reds’ – Blog Red Machine

‘2015 NL Central Preview: The Cubs aren’t the only team in the division’ – Grantland

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