RailCats open spring calling 2012 a 'blip'

GARY | Cristian Guerrero was calling Greg Tagert to recommend a friend to the RailCats manager.

Jeff Samardzija

Valparaiso native Jeff Samardzija is scheduled to start for the Cubs in today's season opener in Pittsburgh.

Gordon Beckham

White Sox's Gordon Beckham bats against the Cleveland Indians in spring training last month. The Sox open the season today against the Kansas City Royals.

Alejandro De Aza

White Sox outfielder Alejandro De Aza races to first past Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on an RBI bunt single in the fifth inning of Wednesday's game.

Anthony Rizzo

Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo doubles off Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez in the fourth inning of Sunday's exhibition game.

Chris Sale

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale delivers against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of an exhibition spring training game Thursday in Glendale, Ariz.

Gordon Beckham, Jeff Keppinger

The White Sox' Gordon Beckham is greeted by Jeff Keppinger after Beckham's two-run home run in the third inning of a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in Glendale, Ariz.

Gordon Beckham

White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham (15) throws over Cincinnati's Jason Donald in a spring training baseball game Tuesday in Goodyear, Ariz.

Jordan Danks, Derek Norris

The White Sox's Jordan Danks follows a hit as Oakland Athletics catcher Derek Norris watches in a spring training game Saturday in Glendale, Ariz.

Castillo triples, Cubs beat Dodgers 8-1

The Cubs' Welington Castillo rounds first base on a two-run triple off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Chris Capuano in the first inning of a spring training game Thursday in Glendale, Ariz.

Konerko hits 2 HRs, White Sox beat Cubs

The White Sox's Paul Konerko hits a home run during the fourth inning of Thursday's exhibition game against the Cubs in Mesa, Ariz.

US team plays to 4-4 tie with White Sox

United States catcher Joe Mauer, right, tags out Chicago White Sox's Dayan Viciedo trying to score from second on a single by Gordon Beckham in the fourth inning of an exhibition baseball game Tuesday in Glendale, Ariz.

Jeff Samardzija

Chicago Cubs' Jeff Samardzija warms up for a spring training baseball game against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in Mesa, Ariz. The team announced Tuesday that Samardzija would be the opening-day starter.

Gordon Beckham

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish, of Japan, throws to Chicago White Sox's Gordon Beckham during an exhibition spring training baseball game Tuesday in Surprise, Ariz.

Edwin Jackson

Cubs starting pitcher Edwin Jackson throws before the first inning of an exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday in Phoenix.

Darvish strong start in Rangers' 14-8 loss to WSox

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish, of Japan, throws to Gordon Beckham during an exhibition spring training baseball game Tuesday in Surprise, Ariz.

Adam Dunn, Alex Rios

White Sox infielder Adam Dunn, right, is congratulated by Alex Rios after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning of Sunday's spring training game.

Jeff Samardzija

Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija threw two innings, allowing three hits while striking out two in his spring debut against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

Will Cubs start long climb back from bottom in Mesa?

If Theo Epstein’s long rebuilding process is likened to a capital “U,” then his Cubs are at the bottom of the letter and looking up at the long climb on the right side.