The Good Guys will stay up late tonight in the desert as they play a Cactus League doubleheader in Arizona using two sectional teams. The first game will be against the Diamondbacks at 8:05 PM CST, followed by the Padres at 8:10 PM CST. Remember… double the fun, double the fun!
Davis Martin got the ball in March against Arizona and was in the spotlight, for what it’s worth. The right-hander has been solid this spring, going 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA and 10 KF. In his last outing on March 13, he struck out four runs, scored no runs, gave up one hit and struck out four. Efficient, clean, and drama-free. It would be great if he can carry that into the regular season as he already has a lock in the starting rotation.
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Opposite Diamond is old friend Michael Soroka. How is he doing this spring? Well, he was a mess with a 9.82 ERA and 2.73 WHIP in four innings. Sure, the sample size is small, but the wild command plagued him throughout his major league career. Maybe he’ll find it tonight, or maybe the Red Sox bats are making him sweat. He did pitch for Team Canada in the WBC, but wasn’t that bad, going 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in 5 2/3 games.
This South Division lineup is a grabby package of regulars, prospects, and a few wild cards. Andrew Benintendi and Colson Montgomery led the way in three holes along with Austin Hayes and his hot rod. Munetaka Murakami brought some mystery to the center field with a cleanup hit, followed by Chase Meidroth, Lenyn Sosa, Jarred Kelenic and Luisangel Acuña.
Here’s how the defender will fare against Martin:
There won’t be any TV. If you want to join, it’s broadcast or bust. Old school. Listen to ESPN 1000 to hear Len and DJ’s call.
Five minutes later, because preseason is weird, the second team plays San Diego.
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Jonathan Cannon started this drill despite being drafted by Charlotte on March 17. Spring training rules: More advice than law. Mike Vasile’s injury opened the door, so Cannon’s availability suddenly became more important. After a nice evening here, he returned to the conversation.
The Padres’ opponent is Michael King, who went 0-2 with a 9.95 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in four starts this spring. Don’t be fooled, though. When he is right, King deals the cards. Last year, he went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts. The stuff is there. The question is whether the 30-year-old can stay on the mound and maintain his composure as he battles multiple injuries in 2025.
Chicago’s lineup heading into this one is very much a “prove it or pack it” team. Aside from Korey Lee, Miguel Vargas, and possibly Curtis Mead, there aren’t many locks, or even close to locks, on the 26-man roster here. That leaves a lot of guys playing for one of two things: a last-minute backup job or making a lasting impression heading into Charlotte. In this lineup, every hitter is more important, whether trying to force his way north or simply making sure he’s in the lineup when the inevitable injuries strike.
Friars captain Craig Stammen shows off his offense in search of their 14th win:
The bonus for you tonight is that MLB.TV is giving away this show so you can actually watch it without having to sell your soul or find a sketchy streamer.