Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/15/19): Almora Leads Off, Bote at Short, Hamels Back at Camelback Ranch

It’s fun to spoonerize people’s names, especially when the result is something like Hole Camels. So it’s even more fun when the Cubs are playing the White Sox at Camelback Ranch and we can really have fun with words. Truth be told, I was going to used Cole Hamels’ goofy name in the title before growing concerned that people wouldn’t get it.

Would have been better if this had happened two day ago so I could have used a Hump Day joke. Alas.

Albert Almora Jr. is once again leading off in center, a well-established trend this spring. He’s followed by David Bote at short, Kyle Schwarber in left, and Ian Happ at second. Victor Caratini is catching, Mark Zagunis is in right, Jim Adduci is at first, and the hot-hitting Cristhian Adames is at third base.

Of note, Hamels is batting for himself in this one. That’s the first time a Cubs pitcher has done so this spring, odd that it’s coming in this one.

Regardless of how you refer to the pitcher, he should be in there for about half the game today. He’s yet to allow an earned run this spring, but that sample consists of only 5.1 innings since he pitched a sim game for one of his scheduled starts. Even so, H/Camels has shown no signs that his excellent performance down the stretch last year was an aberration.

Scheduled relievers are Randy Rosario and Mike Zagurski from the left side and Junichi Tazawa, Dillon Maples, and Dakota Mekkes from the right. The latter two have been getting significant work as the Cubs determine how the bullpen will shape up for Opening Day, so this game being televised could give fans a good look at both.

First pitch is set for 3:05pm CT and can be see on WGN (Sox broadcast) or heard on 670 The Score (Cubs).