Juan

Mateo

Juan Cruz will face off against Carlos Marmol in the first game. Mateo, who will be making his major league debut, will be opposed by Enrique Gonzalez in the second.

Mateo picked up a win in his major league debut on Thursday. The Cubs have Monday off and thus won’t need to use a fifth starter until next week. ''It gives him a chance to be where he is best-suited for now,’' manager Dusty Baker said. ''He needs to work on a second pitch to be an effective starter, so he’s best-suited for the bullpen now.’'

With Mateo now in the rotation the Cubs will be going with four rookies for the first time since 1966 when they used Rich Nye, Ken Holtzman, Fergie Jenkins and Dave Dowling. Mateo won his major league debut Aug. 3 when he allowed two earned in five innings. He’s not recommended in NL-only leagues.

Mateo gave up six hits, walked three and struck out two. He’s probably earned himself another start, but he shouldn’t be picked up in NL-only leagues.

Mateo, 23, was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Cardinals in December, only to be returned to the Cubs in March. He was 7-4 with a 2.82 ERA, 78 H and 70/26 K/BB in 92 2/3 IP for West Tenn. The Cubs will use him out of the pen for now, but he joins the rotation, he’ll be worth watching in NL-only leagues.

The Cubs may have to make a chance on Saturday now. Angel Guzman would seem to be one candidate to be recalled to start.

Mateo was called up from Double-A West Tennessee on Tuesday and served as a starter while in the minors. He was brought up to be used out of the bullpen, but the Cubs don’t have any other starters available so he will likely get the nod for Thursday’s game. Mateo was 7-4 with a 2.82 ERA for West Tenn. before being called up to the Cubs.

It looks like Wade Miller will make another rehab start, though the Cubs didn’t say so definitively. Mateo has turned in two solid starts so far, but he isn’t worth using in NL-only leagues.

Mateo has done solid work on all four of his starts for the Cubs, though he’s yet to have the kind of performance that’s going to get him picked up in fantasy leagues. We’re not going to recommend him as a regular play, but with the Pirates up next, he could be picked up for a week.

Mateo struck out six and walked two while surrendering five hits. The right-hander has done an adequate job with the Cubs this season, posting a 4.75 ERA in seven starts and one relief appearance. That won’t be enough for the Cubs to leave a rotation spot open for him this winter, so he’ll likely head to Triple-A to start next season.