Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Posted: 3:38 p.m.Updated: 7:28 p.m.
By Patrick Mooney
CSNChicago.com
The Cubs are already trying to patch things together with their pitching staff. On Wednesday they will have to account for at least 18 innings in an eight-hour window.
Thats the fallout from the decision to postpone Tuesdays game against the San Diego Padres due to steady rains and the chance of thunderstorms. They will play a day-night doubleheader on Wednesday at Wrigley Field.
Matt Garza will start it at 1:20 p.m. and be expected to work deep into the game. James Russell, the left-handed reliever, will start the second game at 6:05 and max out around 70 pitches before turning it over to the bullpen.
It will be, as manager Mike Quade likes to say, all hands on deck.
They were forced into a doubleheader because the Padres are not scheduled to return to Chicago again this season and will open a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in San Diego.
MLB
Carlos Zambrano gave the Cubs eight shutout innings in Mondays 1-0 victory over the Padres. The Cubs are also off on Thursday, which should reduce the stress on their bullpen.
I really think were in the best shape we could be in to deal with this, Quade said. Well find out.
Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome is expected to be available for the doubleheader after his wife gave birth to a baby girl on Tuesday.
The story will be Garza (0-2, 6.27), who for all his struggles has received zero run support in his last two starts.
Im just going to control what I can controlthats what I do with the ball, Garza said. Im just going to keep pitching (and) keep fighting.
The Cubs were drawn to Garza because he pitches aggressively and demands the ball. They would love to see him take control in Game 1.
Garza has struggled with pitch selection and location, giving up 13 runs on 27 hits in 18.2 innings. Hes also struck out 25 and thrown at least 106 pitches in each start. Hes shown signs of the player who went 34-31 with a 3.86 ERA across three seasons in the brutal American League East.
The Cubs are taking the long view with Garza. First baseman Carlos Penawho played with him in Tampa Bayknows that the pitcher wont back down.
In baseball, its sometimes so volatile, Pena said. I know the tide should turn for him and at the end of the year were going to be very happy with what Garza brought to the table.
Even though he would love to see some nice numbers, hes still just going to keep on working. And know that at the end hes one of those short bets. I would still invest in his stock.
Patrick Mooney is CSNChicago.com's Cubs beat writer. Follow Patrick on Twitter @CSNMooney for up-to-the-minute Cubs news and views.