Bryant, Cubs’ kiddie corps on Vegas trip

Forget the facts that the Cubs haven’t been to the playoffs in 12 years, haven’t won a pennant in 70 years and haven’t won the World Series since 1908.

Based on the odds posted by Las Vegas sports books, there’s plenty of optimism that this really could be the year Chicago gives the “Curse of the Billy Goat” the boot and forgives Steve Bartman.

At 14-1 odds, the Cubs are one of the favorites to win the World Series, along with the Washington Nationals (5-1), Los Angeles Dodgers (8-1), Los Angeles Angels (12-1), St. Louis Cardinals (13-1) and Boston Red Sox (14-1).

Chicago, which features so many young prospects that first-year manager Joe Maddon has dubbed the team’s spring training camp “Cubs University,” returns to Cashman Field for the 11th straight season today for two Big League Weekend exhibition games against the Oakland Athletics.

Maddon won’t make the trip from Mesa, Ariz., for the split-squad games — scheduled for 5:05 p.m. today and 12:05 p.m. Saturday — but Chicago is sending former National League All-Stars Anthony Rizzo and Miguel Montero and two of baseball’s top three prospects, according to Baseball America, in third baseman Kris Bryant (No. 1) and shortstop Addison Russell (No. 3).

Bryant, a Bonanza High School product, led the nation in home runs (31) in 2013 at the University of San Diego and last year led professional baseball in homers with 43 (and 110 RBIs) between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs, who feature four of the game’s top 19 prospects, also are bringing outfielder Jorge Soler (No. 12) and catcher Kyle Schwarber (No. 19) to Las Vegas, along with shortstop Javier Baez, rated baseball’s No. 5 prospect last year.

Manny Ramirez will be the first-base coach and Dave Martinez the acting manager for Chicago, which also will feature right-handed pitcher Donn Roach, a Bishop Gorman product.

The Athletics, who played the first six games of the 1996 season at Cashman while renovations at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum were being completed, are making their first Big League Weekend appearance in Las Vegas since 2000.

A’s general manager Billy Beane, of “Moneyball” fame, is expected to attend this weekend’s games, along with manager Bob Melvin and first baseman Ike Davis, who played for the 51s in 2013 after his demotion from the New York Mets. According to MLB.com, Oakland also will feature center fielder Craig Gentry, catcher Stephen Vogt and shortstops Marcus Semien and Mark Canha.

A’s newcomers Billy Butler, Ben Zobrist and Brett Lawrie aren’t expected to make the trip.

■ NOTES — The scheduled starting pitchers for today’s game are Chicago right-hander Jake Arrieta and Oakland left-hander Drew Pomeranz. Saturday’s starters are righties Kyle Hendricks for Chicago and Jesse Hahn for Oakland. ... Tickets, which range from $35 to $55, can be purchased at the box office at Cashman or through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com).

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.