Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/10/25): Bruján Leads Off, Shaw at 3B, Imanga Gets Final Tuneup

Shōta Imanaga will be starting the Cubs’ season opener against the Dodgers in Tokyo just over a week from now, so this will be his final spring start before that. I don’t like the idea of giving him so much time between starts, even with a high-intent side session between, but the adrenaline of pitching in an MLB game back in Japan might make up for it. As we discussed on The Rant this weekend, the timing of the two-game series overseas is odd for a few reasons.

Pitchers aren’t going to be fully ramped up, so both teams will have to reach deep into their bullpens and/or use a few starters in relief roles. Then you’ve got the idea that the Cubs still have five spring training games remaining upon their return. That’s the weirdest part to me. Wouldn’t it be better to push this series back a few days and then just trim the last three spring games from the schedule?

Alas, there’s no changing it now. Imanaga went four innings and threw 50 pitches in his most recent start, so look for him to build on both of those figures this afternoon. The Guardians are working with a split squad, but the game being at Goodyear means several of their top players are in the lineup.

The same can’t be said for the Cubs, who are rolling with a lot of backups and prospects, with one possible exception. Vidal Bruján will travel with the team to Japan and he’s leading off in center for this one. Matt Shaw‘s status is up in the air, but getting another start at third is a good sign for him. Justin Turner is the DH, Gage Workman is at shortstop in an interesting move, and James Triantos is at second. Reese McGuire is the catcher, Jonathon Long is at first, Greg Allen is in left, and Parker Chavers is in right.

They’re facing Triston “Dr. Sticks” McKenzie, so named for his 6-foot-5, 165-pound frame. After a very promising 2022 season in which he posted a 2.96 ERA over 191.1 innings, McKenzie missed most of 2023 with a right teres major strain and subsequent UCL sprain. After a rough go of it through 16 starts last season, he was optioned to Triple-A Columbus in late June and struggled to a 5.23 ERA over 13 minor-league appearances.

It looks like he may be struggling with confidence, possibly to the point of experiencing the yips, as evidenced by five walks in his last spring appearance. After a two-inning start in which he allowed a solo homer with one strikeout, he came on in relief against the White Sox and issued all those walks with a hit and no strikeouts. He hasn’t pitched in a sanctioned game in the 12 days since.

Control has been a big problem in general, leading to McKenzie falling behind in counts early and often. While his slider is very good, it can’t generate nearly enough value to make up for a high-ride fastball that tends to fly straight as a string. Not great when it only averages 91 mph. He just can’t beat hitters with the heater, so he’s got to dance a little too often with the slider. If it’s not getting whiffs, he walks too many. And if a hitter is sitting dead red, the ball ends up going a long way.

This could be a situation in which McKenzie is pitching for his job, even his career. Barring a serious turnaround from his recent results, this could be a nice way for some of the Cubs’ regulars to build a little momentum ahead of their big trip.

First pitch is at 3:05pm CT with the Guardians’ call on MLB Audio as the only live coverage.

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