The Cubs had their first real challenge of the spring on Sunday, coming back from an 0-5 deficit to earn a 6-5 lead in what truly looked like an early exhibition game. Sloppy defense was evident even when errors weren’t charged, and that went for both sides. Alas, all that really matters is that the Cubs are getting more and more of their everyday players extra at-bats at a time when most would be leaving after a trip or two to the plate.
Hitting coach Dustin Kelly mentioned during the Marquee broadcast that they’d like to get around 30 ABs for their regulars before heading to Tokyo in a little less than three weeks. That sounds easy with 19 games being played prior to the trip, but the calculus gets a little more difficult when you consider how many other guys need to get playing time. Same goes for the pitchers, who will need to be stretched out a little earlier than usual.
Jed Hoyer noted on Sunday that Yu Darvish got to around 75 pitches in a previous early series in Japan, but that might be a stretch for any Cubs starter. It sounds like the plan is to use at least one member of the rotation in relief against the Dodgers, with others getting their innings during one of two exhibition games against NPB squads. If forced to guess right now, I’d say the relief option will be one of the younger guys bucking for that fifth spot.
I’d also imagine the Cubs will be careful with Matthew Boyd at the outset, and we may get an idea of their strategy when he makes his spring debut this afternoon. The oft-injured lefty has loads of talent but hasn’t even reached 80 innings in any of the last five seasons. Having him available in October is far more valuable than burning up innings in February and March, so he may be on a short leash.
This is definitely a road lineup, but there are some new faces a few guys fighting for spots. Nicky Lopez leads off at short with Michael Busch at first and Justin Turner at DH for his Cubs spring debut. Miguel Amaya cleans up as the catcher, Gage Workman is at third, and Travis Jankowski patrols right field. Greg Allen gets the start in left, Kevin Alcántara is in center, and James Triantos is at second.
They’re facing 26-year-old righty Randy Vásquez, a longtime Yankees farmhand who came to San Diego in the Juan Soto trade. After putting up big strikeout numbers at most of his minor-league stops, Vásquez produced pedestrian results during 11 appearances with the Yanks in 2023. That was even more the case over 20 starts for the Pads last season, as he struck out only 62 batters in 98 innings.
Dude’s Baseball Savant percentile rankings are all blue, except for the brownish bar for his 68th-percentile walk rate. Vásquez has a varied repertoire that doesn’t feature any real weapons, at least not based on his previous work. That could change in a hurry, especially if he’s able to add a couple ticks to his 94 mph fastball and maybe redefine some of his pitch shapes.
While it probably isn’t worth doing even this shallow a dive into an opposing starter who might go two innings, I’m trying to ramp myself up for the season as well. As mundane as these lineup posts can be, I really enjoy breaking down the matchup and looking at who the Cubs will be facing. I find it makes me a more informed viewer/listener, and I hope it does the same for you.
First pitch from Peoria is at 2:10pm CT, but there will be no local coverage. You should be able to view the Padres broadcast for free through MLB.tv, or you can always follow online.
Taking on the Padres in Peoria! pic.twitter.com/9R0ih2ts8V
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 24, 2025
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The post Chicago Cubs Lineup (2/24/25): Turner at DH, Jankowski in RF, Boyd Makes Cubs Debut on Mound appeared first on .