Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/12/23): Hoerner Leads Off, Madrigal at 3B, Sampson Starting

Even though it’s been tinkered with just a bit, you can see how this could be a lineup David Ross is considering for the regular season. Nico Hoerner is once again leading off, then it’s Ian Happ in left and Dansby Swanson at short. That slight tweak is interesting, as Happ and Swanson have been flipped for most of the spring.

Trey Mancini is the DH, Cody Bellinger is in center, Eric Hosmer is at first, and Patrick Wisdom is in right. Nick Madrigal is the third baseman and Tucker Barnhart is behind the plate to catch Adrian Sampson. With the exception of Barnhart, this feels like something the Cubs might do with a lefty on the mound.

There’s probably nothing Sampson can do to earn a spot in the rotation at this point, and even remaining on the roster as a reliever is very iffy given the live arms the Cubs boast. After shaking his home run bugaboo the past two seasons, Sampson is back to allowing lots of dingers and needs to get that sorted out soon. And before you go saying it’s just spring training, you have to admit that giving up six homers in 4.1 innings is a bad thing.

The other pitchers scheduled to appear in this one are Michael Fulmer, Brandon Hughes, Manny Rodríguez, Keegan Thompson, and Rowan Wick.

First pitch from Sloan Park is at 3:05pm CT and will be carried by both Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.

Spring forward!

Here is today's #Cubs starting lineup at @SloanParkMesa. pic.twitter.com/eEkmPzPL3F

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 12, 2023