3 more RBIs for Hoff-POWER in loss

Final Score: Rockies 10, Cubs 6

Cubs Starting Lineup Hitting:

Miles: 3-5, 2 Runs, RBI
Kosuke: 0-3, 2 BB, Run
Hoffpauir: 2-5, 3 RBI, 2 Runs
Soto: 2-4
Fontenot: 0-2, 2 BB, RBI
R. Johnson: 0-2, 2 BB, RBI
Blanco: 0-4
Gathright: 0-4
Dempster: 1-3, Run

I want to see Joey Gathright's Batting Average increase. He is now hitting just .244. Kosuke is hitting .143, which was about the average he had in the second half last year. In my opinion if Kosuke doesn't hit good in the final week, Johnson should play center on Opening Day.

Cubs Pitchers:
Dempster: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 4 ER
Samardzija: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
Wells: 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER
Hart: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER

Dempster was not himself today. Hopefully he looks better in his final spring tune-up next week. Jeff Samardzija worked a 1, 2, 3 inning. Randy Wells could get cut from the team as soon as tomorrow or Monday.

Cubs Hitters off the Bench:
Bako: 1-1
Snyder: 0-1
German: 0-1

My Player of the Game: Micah Hoffpauir for his 2 out, 3-run homer. Hoff-POWER also doubled.

Game Highlight: Randy Wells blew the game by allowing 5 runs in the 8th.

Former Cub Glendon Rusch pitched 1.1 shutout innings for the Rockies, and Matt Murton went 0-1.

Up Next: Cubs VS Indians tomorrow at 3:05 CT on WGN Radio. Ted Lilly will pitch for the Cubs tomorrow.

In the Regular Season, this blog will feature:

• Game recaps that tell more about the game highlights and focus on the outcome of the game instead of individual performances.
• A Look at the week it was each Saturday.
• A Look at the week ahead each Sunday.
• Previews and game notes before some of the games.
• Radio Recaps.
• All news and rumors and always.
• And More!

Things that I don't like about the batting order that it looks like Lou will use:

• Theriot should hit second! He was 6th in the league in batting average a year ago!
• Kosuke should hit 7th! I understand breaking up the right handed bats, but come on, Fukudome should not hit second!
• Lee should not hit 3rd! He hits into too many double plays! Put Ramirez 3rd!
• Soto should be moved up in the order!

This should be an interesting week!

Lou said that the 25-man roster will be set going into New York. That means that he has until Thursday to get it sorted out:

• Will Bako or Hill be the backup catcher?
• Are the Cubs keeping 12 pitchers?
• We know Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Marshall, Harden, Heilman, Cotts, Marmol, and Gregg. But who are the other 3 pitchers?
• Guys vying for the bullpen: Chad Gaudin, Luis Vizcaino, David Patton, Jeff Samardzija, and Angel Guzman. Chad Fox, Kevin Hart, and Randy Wells are most likely headed back to AAA.
• Could the Cubs keep So Taguchi instead of Joey Gathright? Bruce Miles mentioned this and I find it very interesting. One of the reporters should ask Lou if Gathright is a lock to make the team.
• What will the Cubs do with the 3 empty spots on the 40-man roster?
• Will the Cubs try to trade Angel Guzman, Luis Vizcaino, and/or Chad Gaudin if they don't make the team?

We will also find out who the closer is tomorrow. It should be a fun week!