Chicago Cubs Lineup (3/7/26): Busch at 1B, Hartshorn DH, Imanaga Starting
Cactus League action has taken a backseat to the WBC, and for good reason. Even a packed house at Sloan Park doesn’t have a fraction of the energy on display at one of these pool games across the globe, though I suppose it’s possible one of the many games we haven’t been able to see or hear has been bedlam. I’m not knocking it, as the subdued vibe is part of what makes spring training great.
The WBC, on the other hand, showcases an ebullient version of the game as experienced elsewhere in the world. You’ve got 30-year-old electricians getting outs with fastballs slower than high school JV players, and high school players with electric fastballs that shatter Aaron Judge‘s bat. I’m not sure if it was the camera angle or what, but Judge looked like even more of a hulking monolith than usual last night.
I didn’t even bother with the Cubs game, which was on MLB Network for a nice change, but I’ll have the radio on in the background this afternoon. Let’s just hope Shōta Imanaga pitches more like his first start than his second, in which he served up three solo homers. I suspect he’ll be sharper against an A’s lineup that doesn’t appear to be very intimidating.
The Cubs’ bats weren’t active last night, but that should change with more regulars in there today. Michael Busch leads off at first, Nico Hoerner is at second, Ian Happ is in left, and Dansby Swanson is at short. Michael Conforto draws the assignment in right, Carson Kelly is behind the dish, and Kevin Alcantara is in center. Pedro Ramirez is at third and Josiah Hartshorn rounds things out as the DH.
Going for the visitors is 25-year-old righty Mason Barnett, a 2022 third-round draft pick by the Royals. He was dealt to the A’s in 2024 as part of the return for Lucas Erceg and was promoted last year in late August. Barnett pitched only 22.1 innings in five MLB starts, getting mediocre results from very spotty command. I’m guessing he’s a supinator from his movement profile, which features the cuttiest four-seam and changeup I’ve ever seen.
His over-the-top delivery also allows him to get a ton of depth on his curveball, though its location was wildly inconsistent in his limited action last year. His sweeper was likewise an adventure, creating a heatmap that looks like a Rorschach test. Barnett put up big strikeout numbers in the minors, so it might just be a matter of getting a little more experience and settling down a bit.
First pitch from Sloan is at 2:05pm CT with Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer on the call for The Score.
