Take a break from basketball this afternoon to listen to Shaun Marcum taking on the White Sox.
Follow the jump for today's pitching matchup, lineup and more!
The White Sox have a split squad today, and they're sending Edwin Jackson (4.47 ERA, 3.86 FIP) to make the start against the Brewers. Jackson is making his fourth start of the spring, and has posted a 4.82 ERA in 9.1 innings of work, walking three and striking out seven. He last pitched on Saturday, picking up the loss against the Rangers by allowing four runs on eight hits over four innings.
If you haven't seen Jackson pitch before, get ready for a lot of sliders. He has a mid-90's fastball but threw his slider nearly 30% of the time last season. FanGraphs would suggest he had good reason to do so: At +1.28 runs per 100, it was his best pitch. He also has a curveball and change, but doesn't use them often.
Despite the fact that he won't turn 28 until September, the White Sox are Jackson's fifth major league team. He faced the Brewers once in 2010 as a member of the White Sox, holding them to three runs on six hits over seven innings, walking four and striking out seven. Rickie Weeks took him deep in that game.
In the bottom half, Shaun Marcum (6.23 ERA this spring) will make his fourth start, and his first since getting knocked around by the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Marcum lasted just 3.2 innings in the game, allowing four runs on eight hits, two of which were home runs.
Over the course of his career Marcum's biggest asset has been his control, and he's using it well this spring: He's walked just one opposing batter while striking out nine in 8.2 innings of work. He has, however, allowed 14 hits.
While pitching for the Blue Jays in 2010, Marcum faced the White Sox one time. On May 7, he allowed three runs on six hits over 7.2 innings, walking none but striking out just two. Two White Sox took him deep in the game: Alex Rios and Mark Kotsay.
Lineup, as written in green by Jerry Narron:
Carlos Gomez CF
Craig Counsell 2B
Mark Kotsay LF
Prince Fielder 1B
Casey McGehee 3B
Jeremy Reed RF
Edwin Maysonet SS
Wil Nieves C
Shaun Marcum P
Weather
The weather could be a factor in a couple of ways today. First of all, it's hot. Temperatures will approach 90 during the game today. Secondly, though, it's windy: The Weather Channel is predicting winds out of the SSW around 15-20 mph.
Coverage
There's no radio or TV today, but there is a free webcast via Gameday Audio.
Enjoy the game!