Open GameThread, 3/7

Baseball is back, after a long day off. Madison Bumgarner takes on Tyson Ross as the Giants face the Padres in Scottsdale. This will be Bumgarner’s third start of the spring, which has him at an ERA of 3.86 in 4.2 innings, including nine strikeouts.

Both Brandons will play today. Belt has a pretty good record against Ross, with 14 plate appearances and a .357 average. Whereas Crawford has 16 appearances with only a .063 average. Overall, this lineup features most of the players we’ll likely see starting on opening day, with a couple of exceptions.

Bruce Bochy was hoping to get Buster Posey in the squat for today’s game, however a lingering ankle injury will delay that plan. Posey, however, took batting practice and participated in some drills so it may not be as serious as it seems.

Today will also feature Mark Melancon’s spring debut later in the game.

Lineup:

1. Panik, Joe - 2B
2. Belt, Brandon - 1b
3. McCutchen, Andrew - RF
4. Longoria, Evan - 3B
5. Crawford, Brandon - SS
6. Pence, Hunter - LF
7. Jackson, Austin - CF
8. Hundley, Nick - C
9. Blanco, Gregor - DH

P - Bumgarner, Madison - LHP

You can listen to the game on MLB.com audio. You should be able to watch the embedded webcast below, but if it doesn’t work for you, try this link.