Cubs get a W against the Indians, 6-2; Sveum says Opening Day Lineup not set yet

The Cubs beat the Cleveland Indians, 6-2 in Goodyear, AZ today.  Rodrigo Lopez pitched 4.1 innings and allowed two runs.  Alfonso Soriano was 1 for 3 and hit hit sixth homer of the Spring.

Alfonso Soriano signing autographs today in Goodyear (photo from WGN-TV)

Rodrigo Lopez helped pitch the Cubs to a win over the Indians on Sunday

Cubs Manager Dale Sveum said that the lineup is not yet finalized, so he isn't completely sure if David DeJesus will be in the leadoff spot.  Sveum said, "It's probably going to be four days from now where we just sit down and say 'All right, this is what it's going to be on Opening Day.'  Nothing is etched in stone except Soriano is going to be (No.) 3, 4 or 5," he said.

Joe Mather’s spot on the roster seems secure, and that status was most likely assured even before he had another impressive day today.  Not only did he make a great catch in deep center field while reaching behind his head, he also delivered at the plate by hitting two doubles, which raised his Cactus League batting average to .432. 

Tomorrow the Cubs will play their last set of split-squad games of the Spring.  Paul Maholm, who has been named the Cubs' #5 starter, will start against the San Diego Padres at HoHoKam Park at 3:05pm CST.  Jay Jackson will start the road game against the Diamondbacks at 3:10pm CST in Scottsdale.  Only 11 more days until Opening Day!

Carlos Marmol's MRI is good news; Special Events at Wrigley Field; Jorge Soler Talks are Rumors

The Cubs had their only off-day of the spring today.  Their spring record currently stands at 8-12-1.

It was announced today that Stephen Strasburg will start for Washington Nationals on Opening Day April 5th vs. the Cubs at Wrigley Field.  It's expected that Cubs manager Dale Sveum will announce the Cubs Opening Day starter (probably either Ryan Dempster or Matt Garza) later this week.

Within a week, the back end of the Cubs' starting rotation should be clearer.  Dempster, Garza, and Paul Maholm are locks for the first three spots, while Jeff Samardzija seems likely to be awarded the fourth spot, which leaves the fifth spot open for either Randy Wells, Chris Volstad, Rodrigo Lopez, or Travis Wood.

Jed Hoyer says that the Cubs have no deal in place for Jorge Soler and that the talk is just simply rumors.

An MRI revealed no significant nerve damage to Carlos Marmol's right hand, since he had cramping during yesterday's game and was pulled to get an MRI as a precautionary measure.

New this season, the Cubs are going to hold Special Event Nights at Wrigley Field, including a "Playing the Field" singles night with Cubs "Singles Night" Tees to let other singles know you're ready to mingle.  This should certainly be interesting, but you've got to give the Ricketts family credit for trying new promotions.  The other special event nights can be found here.

Wednesday, July 18 is 2012 Singles Night at Wrigley Field, one of the Special Events this season

 Only 15 more days until Opening Day!

Cubs lose to the Rangers and Tie with the A's; Only off day of the Spring Tomorrow

The Cubs played another pair of split-squad games today.  Ryan Dempster, who already has a guaranteed spot in the starting rotation, was the first Cubs starter to finish six spring innings and allowed four hits, two earned runs, issued two walks and three strikcouts today against the Rangers.  Although Blake DeWitt was 2 for 4 and had an RBI triple and scored and Starlin Castro was also 2 for 4 with a double and triple, the Rangers beat the Cubs 6-2.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said the following about Dempster, "Very, very, very good.  Very good fastball command, he was able to pitch up in the zone.  It was kind of like the Dempster that pitches all the time that I've seen shove it up our butt in Milwaukee when I was there."  Dempster said, "I feel good, my body feels good, my arm feels really good.  I'm looking forward to a couple of more starts before the season starts."  We'll see if Dempster or Matt Garza will get the nod to be the Opening Day starter.

Ryan Dempster pitched 6 innings against the Rangers (photo from Chris Carlson/AP)

Closer Carlos Marmol had a cramp in his right hand during the Cubs-Rangers game and had a precautionary MRI.  Marmol said before going for the MRI that he wasn't worried.  "I know my body, I feel great," he said. "I don't know where (the cramp) comes from."

In the Cubs other split-squad game against the Oakland Athletics, Rodrigo Lopez, who is a contender for a starting rotation spot, pitched five innings and allowed three hits, one earned run, issued one walk and four strikeouts.  Tony Campana was 4 for 5 in the game.  The Cubs and A's ended in a 5-5 tie.

Rodrigo Lopez pitched against the A's today (photo from Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Cubs starter Paul Maholm has reached his goal of 20,000 followers on Twitter.  He tweeted today, "Gonna be doing the give away contest on Thursday. I will let u know what time. I have 2 opening day tix, a team signed ball etc up for grabs"  You can find and follow Maholm on twitter as @paul_maholm.

The Cubs have their only off day of the spring tomorrow.  Only 16 more days until Opening Day!

Cubs beat their Crosstown Rivals, 5-1 in Glendale; Single-Game Tickets Go on Sale to the Public

The Cubs beat the White Sox 5-1 at Camelback Ranch today.  Even though it's a preseason game, it's still fun whenever the Cubs can beat the Sox!  Darwin Barney drove home Alfonso Soriano in the first to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead.  Edgar Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in the second inning after Junior Lake was walked.

Travis Wood pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up just a sacrifice fly.  However, he got into a bases-loaded one-out jam in the third, but Randy Wells came in to pitch in relief and was able to get the Cubs out of the jam by getting Paul Konerko to hit into a double play.  Wells pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings and gave up just one hit and struck out one batter.  When asked about the Cubs-Sox series without Ozzie Guillen, Wells said, “It’s quieter.”  Wells definitely helped his case for making the starting rotation after his impressive performance today.

Marlon Byrd homered in the sixth and Steve Clevenger homered in the seventh.  Rodrigo Lopez threw two hitless innings. 

The Cubs will play the Brewers in Maryvale tomorrow, where Ryan Dempster will be the starting pitcher.  Cubs manager Dale Sveum said the following about his old team, “It’ll be fun facing them.  I’m looking forward to it, to see the guys and say hello. We’ll try to beat their butts, but it’ll be good to see everybody.”  You can watch the game on WGN-TV and also listen on WGN-Radio at 2:05pm CST.  Catcher Geovany Soto is expected to play tomorrow, after being sidelined due to a groin injury.

On another note, Cubs single game tickets went on sale today.  Here are some photos from the Cubs' twitter account:

Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts greets the first Cubs fan in line this morning to buy single game tickets at Wrigley Field.

Cubs Board Member Laura Ricketts offering coffee to Cubs fans buying tickets at Wrigley Field.

 27 more days until Opening Day!  The Cubs "W" over the Sox is a great way to start the weekend!