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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 03: A general view as the St. Louis Cardinals play against the New York Mets at Digital Domain Park on March 3, 2011 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.  (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 03: A general view as the St. Louis Cardinals play against the New York Mets at Digital Domain Park on March 3, 2011 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)Marc Serota/Getty Images

2011 MLB Spring Training: 10 Must-See Games from the Cactus & Grapefruit Leagues

Christopher HowlandJun 6, 2018

As Spring Training is well underway, these are the 10 games that any baseball fans must see.

Whether you go watch the game live, listen to it on the radio or buy MLB.tv (which I highly recommend), these games will showcase top talent from both the major and minor league system of each respective team that any fan should witness.

Here are my top 10 games, what do you think should also be added to this list?

Cactus League: Chicago Cubs Vs. Cincinnati Reds

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CINCINNATI - AUGUST 29:  Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds slides safely into second base for a steal in front of the tag by Jeff Baker #28 of the Chicago Cubs during the game at Great American Ball Park on August 29, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo
CINCINNATI - AUGUST 29: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds slides safely into second base for a steal in front of the tag by Jeff Baker #28 of the Chicago Cubs during the game at Great American Ball Park on August 29, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo

When: March 6th @ 2:05 PM

Where: Goodyear Ballpark

Why is it a must-see: The Cubs and Reds continue their NL Central rivalry and both teams will take this meeting seriously.

The Reds will showcase some young stars like Aroldis Chapman and Johnny Cueto, while the Cubs will be looking to start the year of on the right foot under new manager Mike Quade.

Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. San Francisco Giants

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 01:  Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Chicago Cubs during the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Chicago Cubs during the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

When: March 12th @ 12:05 PM

Where: Scottsdale Stadium

Why is it a must-see: The Giants renew their NL West rivalry as the Dodgers travel to Scottsdale to visit the 2010 World Champion Giants.

The Dodgers need to put a winning product on the field amid ownership problems and help fans forget about the team’s financial woes.

San Francisco Giants Vs. Texas Rangers

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 01:  Catcher Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants in action during the spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Catcher Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants in action during the spring training game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

When: March 13th @ 1:05 PM

Where: Surprise Stadium

Why is it a must-see: In a rematch of the 2010 World Series, the Giants and Rangers will be looking to give fans a show as the two best teams of 2010 face off.

The Giants have slimmer Pablo Sandoval and 2010 Rookie of the Year Buster Posey looking to get off to the right foot as Neftali Feliz and the Rangers hope to get some revenge in this Spring Training matchup.

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Cincinnati Reds Vs. Milwaukee Brewers

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PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 18:  Pitcher Zack Greinke #13 of the Milwaukee Brewers participates in fielding drills during a MLB spring training practice at Maryvale Baseball Park on February 18, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Ima
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 18: Pitcher Zack Greinke #13 of the Milwaukee Brewers participates in fielding drills during a MLB spring training practice at Maryvale Baseball Park on February 18, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Ima

When: March 20th @ 3:05 PM

Where: Maryvale Baseball Park

Why is it a must-see: The Reds and Brewers relive an NL Central rivalry as the Brewers showcase a new crop of starting pitchers.

Zack Grienke, Shawn Marcum or Randy Wolf may be the start this day and no matter which team you root for, you’re bound to see a great pitching matchup.

Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto or Travis Wood will more than likely be tabbed to start for the Reds as the season draws near so expect an MLB-like atmosphere at the park on March 20th.

Chicago Cubs Vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 01:  Starlin Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the San Francisco Giants during the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona.  (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Starlin Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the San Francisco Giants during the spring training game at Scottsdale Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

When: March 22nd @ 1:05 PM

Where: Camelback Ranch Stadium

Why is it a must-see: The Cubs and Dodgers, trade partners in recent years, will show fans an intense game over in the Cactus League.

Expect more of the everyday players to play during this game, as the regular season is just right around the corner.

Grapefruit League: Boston Red Sox Vs. New York Yankees

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NEW YORK - MAY 05:  Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees talks with Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox prior to their game on May 5, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 7-3. (Photo by Jim
NEW YORK - MAY 05: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees talks with Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox prior to their game on May 5, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 7-3. (Photo by Jim

When: March 4th @ 7:05 PM

Where: George M. Steinbrenner Field

Why is it a must-see: Obviously with early spring games, results don’t matter.

But this is a Red Sox versus Yankees game so I’m sure each fan base will want to win this one.

Plus it’s a night game, adding to the aura that baseball’s opening day is almost here.

This has to be a must see for any avid fan. 

Philadelphia Phillies Vs. New York Yankees

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CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 22:  (EDITORS NOTE: Image was shot with a colored gel on lights) Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a photo during Spring Training Media Photo Day at Bright House Networks Field on February 22, 2011 in Clearwate
CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 22: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was shot with a colored gel on lights) Cliff Lee #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a photo during Spring Training Media Photo Day at Bright House Networks Field on February 22, 2011 in Clearwate

When: March 7th @ 1:05 PM

Where: George M. Steinbrenner Field

Why is it a must-see: In a rematch of the 2009 World Series, the Phillies and Yankees renew a new rivalry between the teams.

Again located in the Yankees home park, this game should be a must-see for those who want to enjoy a great game of fundamental baseball with a few surprises thrown in between.

Boston Red Sox Vs. St. Louis Cardinals

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JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals plays the field against the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Jupiter, Florida.  (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FL - FEBRUARY 28: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals plays the field against the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

When: March 8th @ 12:05 PM

Where: Roger Dean Stadium

Why is it a must-see: This game early in spring will be a good time for fans to get a look at some veterans, like Albert Pujols and Dustin Pedroia, while also assessing the Red Sox and Cardinals prospects hoping to break camp with the major league squad.

Both teams will try to put up a fight early in spring to cement them as an early favorite heading into the season.

New York Mets Vs. Atlanta Braves

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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Jose Reyes #7   of the New York Mets strikes out against the Atlanta Braves at Digital Domain Park on February 26, 2011 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.  (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets strikes out against the Atlanta Braves at Digital Domain Park on February 26, 2011 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

When: March 12th @ 1:05 PM

Where: Champion Stadium

Why is it a must-see: The Mets and Braves renew their storied NL East rivalry in a spring exhibition game where both teams look to answer some questions regarding their roster.

The Mets need to address the second base situation and the back-end of the rotation while the Braves need to see how their new acquisitions like Dan Uggla and young prospects like Craig Kimbrel will fair against major league talent.

Minnesota Twins Vs. Detroit Tigers

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FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23:  Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins warms up during a spring training workout session at Hammond Stadium on February 23, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida.  (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Catcher Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins warms up during a spring training workout session at Hammond Stadium on February 23, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

When: March 17th @ 1:05 PM

Where: Joker Marchant Stadium

Why is it a must-see: if you want to watch some slugger’s play, then this game will be a must-see.

Hometown hero Joe Mauer will face off against Miguel Cabrera and the rest of the Tigers heavy hitters.

This should be a good game of two AL Central rivals looking to one-up each other before the season even begins.

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