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This really is now the dawn of a new Cubs era. They have not won a game since Ryan Dempster was traded -- and I'm not suggesting those events are linked, just noting the coincidence -- and with shipping out six players over the last week (the five traded away, and Tony Campana), the roster truly does begin to bear the stamp of Theo and Jed, even though there aren't any young players on it that they themselves drafted. Too early for that, of course.
There are now 13 players on the 25-man roster who were not Cubs at any time in 2011; 11 who were not on the team Opening Day, and eight rookies (Jeff Beliveau, Alberto Cabrera, Welington Castillo, Steve Clevenger, Adrian Cardenas, Anthony Rizzo, Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters).
Of that latter group, several of them could either become stars, everyday regulars, bench players or key bullpen cogs on a future Cubs contender. It's a decent base to build from, anyway. I am excited about this -- and of the next moves to be made, likely next offseason. It's still possible, of course, that the Cubs could make another waiver deal or two before August ends (*cough* Alfonso Soriano *cough*), but apart from that, this is the roster they'll end the year with.
Incidentally, the debuts of Jackson and Vitters bring the number of players who have played at least one game in a Cubs uniform this year to 45. The team record is 51, set in 2000. We're getting close.
Also, Matt Garza is headed to the DL; no official roster move has been made yet, but someone will have to take his rotation spot Tuesday. If it's someone who hasn't yet appeared for this year's Cubs, that'd make 46. The 40-man roster currently stands at 39, so the team could add someone. (Hello again, RoLo?)
Cubs lineup:
Jackson CF, Barney 2B, Rizzo 1B, Soriano LF, Castro SS, Castillo C, Vitters 3B, Mather RF, Wood P
Padres lineup:
Denorfia RF, Forsythe 2B, Headley 3B, Quentin LF, Alonso 1B, Maybin CF, Cabrera SS, Rodriguez C, Stults P
Of the 18 players in tonight's starting lineups, nine of them spent at least some time this year in Triple-A.
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Travis Wood pitched against the Padres May 28 at Wrigley Field; he gave up six runs in five innings, including four home runs. The Cubs won the game anyway, but that can't be a good sign. Current Padres are 15-for-45 (.333) against him with five home runs. Doomed? Probably.
Eric Stults threw six credible innings against the Cubs May 29 at Wrigley Field; the Cubs won that one, too, as they swept the Padres. Stults made one more start after that and then went on the DL with a strained lower back. He's made four relief appearances since his return; this will be his first start since June 3. Current Cubs are a small-sample-size 6-for-19 against Stults with one home run (Alfonso Soriano).
Today's game is on CSN Chicago Plus (check your cable/satellite system for the channel).
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Padres site Gaslamp Ball.
Today's first pitch thread will post at 9:05 p.m. CDT and the overflows at 10:05, 11:05 and 11:50 p.m. CDT. If you need more overflows due to extra innings or rain delays, post them in the fanshot section.
Discuss amongst yourselves.