Chicago Cubs will have different lineups in Cactus League – MLB News
As the Chicago Cubs seemed all braced for the Cactus League start, the team manager Dale Sveum said on Friday, March 2, that the team will have a different lineup every day. Being closely monitored for a big leap this time round, the Chicago Cubs are expected
to offer incredible surprises to the fans and game pundits.
"It's going to be a different lineup every day," Sveum said. "You'll see a different leadoff hitter every day. I told them we'll probably have a set lineup by the middle of March."
Dale Sveum has assumed the managerial responsibilities in the most defining moments of the franchise’s history. Only last year did the club lose over 90 games, resulting in the dismissal of the former manager Mike Quade.
Away from the big changes that swept the club since then, Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics will mark the beginning of what is being termed a new era. Rodrigo Lopez has been named the starter for the first big game this year.
With a 4.42 ERA that Lopez had the past season in 26 games, will be a crucial factor in determining team’s strength as far as their pitching is concerned.
Dale Sveum, on the other hand, has a different approach. He believes in the accountability of the players after doing his bit on preparing them for the bigger tasks. But for accountability, the game is to be seen first.
"I don't know if I've done anything yet, we haven't played a game yet," Sveum said. "All I'm doing is be myself the way I know how to do things and hold guys accountable. You really don't hold guys accountable yet until the games are played and see where
we are then.”
The three starters for the games ahead are Lopez, Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza. The offence will have a different outlook too with an amalgamation of rookies and the senior players dotting the lineup.
With the Cactus League game scheduled for Sunday, Dale Sveum’s team will have critical eyes focused on them. It will be interesting to see how successful the Cubs will be as the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season is right around the corner.
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