MLB Spring training: Who plays today Friday, February 23?

ESPN has recently unveiled its schedule for the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) spring training, which will begin on February 22, 2024. ESPN is gearing up to celebrate the 35th anniversary of MLB game broadcasts with a grand event. The occasion marks a significant milestone in the history of baseball broadcasting, and the network is leaving no stone unturned in making it a memorable affair. The event is expected to feature a range of exciting activities and entertainment, along with special appearances by some of the biggest names in baseball and sports broadcasting.

Friday, February 23: the quadruple game bonanza

Chicago Cubs vs. Chicago White Sox

The Cubs will begin their Cactus League play against the White Sox on Friday at Sloan Park. The game is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. ET. The White Sox had a disappointing 2023 season with 101 losses after a promising 81-81 season in 2022. Many believed that the team could compete to win. On Friday, Jesse Chavez, a veteran reliever, will start against the Cubs with four other relievers scheduled to throw. The Cubs have been considering an every-sixth-day schedule for several starters, which could help Shota Imanaga, their recent free-agent acquisition, adjust to a more traditional five-day schedule as he transitions from Nippon Professional Baseball. Craig Counsell, the Cubs’ manager, also believes this could benefit the team’s other starters.

Texas Rangers vs Kansas City Royals

The Texas Rangers, the defending World Series Champions, are set to play their first game after winning the trophy. They will be facing the Kansas City Royals on Friday at Surprise Stadium. Regarding batting, the Rangers will have a similar lineup to when they won the World Series. The only significant loss is Mitch Garver, who was the designated hitter. This position can be filled without any major issues. However, the team will face a considerable challenge in the first half of the season due to the absence of Max Scherzer, Jacob DeGrom, and Tyler Mahle from the starting rotation. The pressure will be on Nate Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney to step up and give the team a chance to win.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Diego Padres

The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will play the Spring Training season-opening game at the Camelback Ranch–Glendale baseball complex in Phoenix, Arizona . The same two teams will start the regular season in Korea on March 20. The Dodgers have won the division ten of the last eleven years and are expected to be the team to beat again this year with their strong batting lineup and pitching rotation. The Padres traded Juan Soto but still have Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis, who can put up serious batting numbers.

Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks

Two National League West rivals will head to head on Friday. The beaten World Series team, Arizona Diamondbacks, will make their return as they take on the Colorado Rockies. Over the last five seasons, the Rockies have not won more than 74 games and have finished at the bottom of the west for the previous two seasons. Even if Kris Bryant finds a way to stay healthy, this season looks set to be another struggle for them. Bryant has only managed to play an average of 61 games over the last two seasons. Charlie Blackmon continues to lead off, but he, too, suffered from missed games in 2023. The Rockies’ only notable addition, Dakota Hudson, comes over from the St Louis Cardinals. However, he had an ERA of almost five last year, and the new surroundings need to work, as he could be lit up a mile high.

It will be interesting to see how the Diamondbacks respond to the World Series loss. Whether there is a hangover from that defeat or if it has fired the team up more than ever. They have added some pop in Eugenio Suarez and Joc Pederson and a veteran presence in Randal Grichuk.