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We have our first scheduled split squad action for the Texas Rangers today with the youngsters that drew the short straws bussing off to Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona to take on the Chicago Cubs, while the veterans will stick around in Surprise to face the Arizona Diamondbacks at Surprise stadium.
In Mesa, RHP relief hopeful Jonathan Hernandez will make the start after Joe Palumbo was scratched with a injured heel. The Cubs were supposed to start Yu Darvish against the Rangers but that has been updated to RHP James Norwood which doesn’t have quite the same gravitas to it.
In Surprise, Mike Minor will take the mound for Texas against RHP Robbie Ray for Arizona in a match-up that actually resembles something you might see in a big league stadium.
Here be lineups:
Thu. vs. CHI at Mesa: Taveras 9, Solak 8, Calhoun 7, Guzman 3, Travis DH, Kiner-Falefa 6, Apostel 5, Huff 2, Tejeda 4, Hernandez 1
— John Blake (@RangerBlake) March 5, 2020
Thu. vs. ARI at Surprise: Santana 8, Odor 4, Gallo 9, Bird 3, Chirinos DH, Duffy 5, Garcia 7, Ciuffo 2, Rivera 6, Minor 1
— John Blake (@RangerBlake) March 5, 2020
You can follow the away game on Gameday or watch the Cubs’ telecast via MLB.tv.
You can follow the home game on Gameday or listen via a webcast on MLB dot com.
First pitch for both games is scheduled for 2:05 pm CT so choose wisely.
Go Rangers (x2)!