Quade plans to bat Castro second
February, 24, 2011
2/24/11
4:38
PM CT
By
Bruce Levine | ESPNChicago.com
MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs manager Mike Quade won't commit to a set lineup this early in the spring, but he has two spots basically settled.
Second-year shortstop Starlin Castro will bat second and third baseman Aramis Ramirez will hit in the cleanup spot. But Quade was even hesitant on naming Castro in the second spot.
"He hasn't earned the right to think he is going to hit anywhere," Quade said. "He did hit .300 in the 2-hole. I'm smart enough to think I'll take .300 in the two-hole."
Quade said although he would like to have a set lineup, he's not sure he will have the luxury with this team.
Asked if he would be OK with leading off if needed, Castro said: "I did that in rookie ball. No big deal. I can lead off."
Quade's spring rotation begins on Sunday as Carlos Zambrano gets the Cactus League opener followed by Matt Garza in the later innings. Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner are scheduled to pitch Monday. Ryan Dempster, the Cubs' Opening Day starter, goes on Tuesday with Carlos Silva pitching Wednesday and Braden Looper on Thursday.
Second-year shortstop Starlin Castro will bat second and third baseman Aramis Ramirez will hit in the cleanup spot. But Quade was even hesitant on naming Castro in the second spot.
"He hasn't earned the right to think he is going to hit anywhere," Quade said. "He did hit .300 in the 2-hole. I'm smart enough to think I'll take .300 in the two-hole."
Quade said although he would like to have a set lineup, he's not sure he will have the luxury with this team.
Asked if he would be OK with leading off if needed, Castro said: "I did that in rookie ball. No big deal. I can lead off."
Quade's spring rotation begins on Sunday as Carlos Zambrano gets the Cactus League opener followed by Matt Garza in the later innings. Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner are scheduled to pitch Monday. Ryan Dempster, the Cubs' Opening Day starter, goes on Tuesday with Carlos Silva pitching Wednesday and Braden Looper on Thursday.
Bruce Levine | email
Chicago baseball beat reporterBruce Levine has covered sports in Chicago for over 28 years and hosts "Talkin' Baseball," heard Saturday mornings on ESPN 1000.
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Bruce Levine
Bruce Levine has covered sports in Chicago for over 28 years and hosts "Talkin' Baseball," heard Saturday mornings on ESPN 1000.
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Doug covers the Chicago Cubs for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN Radio 1000.
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UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHC | 15-29 | 9-15 | 6-14 | L9 | |
| PIT | 20-24 | 11-10 | 9-14 | L2 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHC | 15-29 | 9-15 | 6-14 | L9 | |
| PIT | 20-24 | 11-10 | 9-14 | L2 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHC | 15-29 | 9-15 | 6-14 | L9 | |
| PIT | 20-24 | 11-10 | 9-14 | L2 |
TEAM LEADERS
| BA LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Starlin Castro
|
|||||||||||
| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| HR | B. LaHair | 10 | ||||||||||
| RBI | S. Castro | 25 | ||||||||||
| R | D. DeJesus | 25 | ||||||||||
| OPS | B. LaHair | 1.020 | ||||||||||
| W | P. Maholm | 4 | ||||||||||
| ERA | R. Dempster | 2.28 | ||||||||||
| SO | J. Samardzija | 57 | ||||||||||
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