As the anticipation builds for Opening Day, there's a palpable sense of excitement in the air. Today's final spring exhibition against the Cubs in Arizona wraps up the preseason festivities, and it's all eyes on the mound as Gerrit Cole takes the ball.
After a brief, yet promising, 10-pitch debut last week, Cole is gearing up for a likely rehab assignment, targeting a return in May or June. His previous outing against the Red Sox showcased his fastball touching the upper 90s and a slider clocking in at 91 mph.
While the velocity is impressive, today’s focus might shift toward refining his control and command-key components for Cole, especially post-Tommy John surgery.
On the other side, Edward Cabrera is the intriguing new addition for the Cubs. Acquired from the Marlins in a winter trade, Cabrera brings a dynamic arsenal, featuring one of the league's top curveballs and changeups.
However, his fastball remains a work in progress. The Cubs are hoping to elevate Cabrera from a solid three-win pitcher to a potential five-win game-changer by unlocking that fastball's potential.
With Opening Day just around the corner, it's surprising to see so many starters in the lineup. Ben Rice is set to lead off, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. handling second base duties.
Meanwhile, Ryan McMahon and José Caballero will cover the left side of the infield. The game is audio-only, so fans can catch all the action on WFAN.
How to Watch:
- First pitch: 3:05 pm ET
- TV broadcast: N/A