Pregame Notes: Cubs, Diamondbacks do battle in Mesa

Feb 19, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Rick Renteria (16) looks on during a workout at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs (0-0) open Cactus League play today against a split-squad Arizona Diamondbacks (1-0) club, beginning the Rick Renteria era at new Cubs Park in Mesa.

First pitch is slated for 2:05 p.m. CT this afternoon. Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for Chicago in his spring debut and will be opposed by the newest member of the Arizona rotation, longtime veteran righty Bronson Arroyo (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

You can listen to the game via an exclusive webcast at MLB.com and it will also be broadcast on television on WGN – the Cubs longtime TV home.

Here are the club’s starting lineups:

First, for the visiting Diamondbacks:

#Dbacks (ss) lineup at Cubs in Mesa:

Parra RF
Prado 3B
Goldy 1B
Hill 2B
Chavez DH
Trumbo LF
Montero C
Pollock CF
Gregorius SS
Arroyo P
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) February 27, 2014

The Cubs will counter as follows:

#Cubs lineup vs #Dbacks: Bonifacio 2B, Valbuena 3B, Castro SS, Rizzo 1B, Lake CF, Castillo C, Ruggiano LF, Olt DH, McDonald RF. Samardzija P
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 27, 2014

We will have a full recap of today’s game – as well as the entire Spring Training and regular season slate – up at www.cubbiescrib.com.

Schedule