Is this game thread 8 or game 8/9? I'm making a 2017 executive Kevin decision and counting games. So it shall be written. So it shall be done.
That aside, I like the idea of split squad games, especially early in the spring. They give you a chance to evaluate double the players at bat and in the field when there's not much to glean from pitching. And usually the starters see a lot more of the game.
Roughly half of the Royals play against the Giants in Surprise while the other half play the Reds at their park in Goodyear.