SF Giants probable pitchers & starting lineup vs. Chicago Cubs, February 26

The SF Giants (2-2) are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs (6-0) in Cactus League play today at 12:05 PM PST. The game will take place at Scottsdale Stadium which is the Giants' home field in spring training. Let's take a look at the lineup and pitchers for the game.

SF Giants probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Chicago Cubs, February 26

Who will be pitching for the Giants?

The Giants will have Jordan Hicks take the ball for them first. This will be his first action this spring training. Hicks is almost certainly going to be the No. 4 starter for the team going into the season barring something unforeseen.

He began last year in the team's rotation after spending much of his career as a reliever. He looked phenomenal as a starter in the month of April last year, ending the month with an ERA under 2.00 and regularly going deep into games.

Unfortunately, as the season wore on Hicks clearly got fatigued and struggled to go deep into games. That is why he bulked up and added some muscle in the offseason to try and avoid a repeat of 2024. We will have to see if that ends up being the case. Expect the Giants to let Hicks pitch two innings like they have will all of the other starters in the rotation up to this point.

Who is pitching for the Cubs?

Shota Imanaga will take the ball for Chicago. The lefty from Japan had a phenomenal debut in 2024. In 29 starts and 173 and 1/3 innings pitched he had a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA, earning himself an All-Star nod in his rookie season. The Giants will have their work cut out for them going against such a stout opposing pitcher.

What is the Giants' lineup?

Here is what the Giants lineup will look like:

SF Giants lineup vs. Chicago Cubs, February 26
1. CF Jung Hoo Lee (L)
2. SS Willy Adames (R)
3. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
4. LF Jerar Encarnacion (R)
5. 1B Wilmer Flores (R)
6. 2B Casey Schmitt (R)
7. C Patrick Bailey (S)
8. RF Mike Yastrzemski (L)
9. DH David Villar (R)

It makes sense that the Giants are going with a righty-heavy lineup to match up against the left-handed Imanaga. This could end up being a preview of the sort of lineup Giants manager Bob Melvin employs against lefty starters in the regular season. Schmitt, Villar, and Encarnacion are all battling for a roster spot so those are three guys to keep an eye on.

The game, just like the revolution, will not be televised, but it will be available to listen to through MLB Audio through the MLB TV app.

SF Giants probable pitchers & starting lineups vs. Chicago Cubs, February 26

Schedule