THE STORY: The Chicago Cubs wrap up the season Wednesday
against the host San Diego Padres in a game that has absolutely no
bearing on the playoff races. To their credit,, both teams have
played well down the stretch. Chicago is 29-25 in its last 54 games,
while San Diego has won seven of its last 11.
TV: 8:35 p.m. ET, WCIU, Channel 4SD
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (10-13, 4.53 ERA) at Padres LH Wade LeBlanc (4-6, 4.83 ERA)
Dempster allowed one run in six innings against the Cardinals last
Friday, but he issued six walks for the second time in three starts.
Dempster is 8-4 with a 3.73 ERA in 21 games - 12 starts - against the
Padres. He has a 3.45 ERA over his last 20 starts.
LeBlanc gave up two
runs in seven innings while striking out a career-high 10 against the
Dodgers last Friday. LeBlanc, who is facing the Cubs for the first time
in his career, is 2-3 with a 3.86 ERA in six starts at Petco Park this
season.
ABOUT THE CUBS (71-90): Why should Cubs’ fans be interested in
news that Ozzie Guillen is set to become the next manager of the Florida
Marlins? Because it’s entirely possible Carlos Zambrano and Aramis
Ramirez could join Guillen in South Florida. The Cubs would be happy to
trade Zambrano anywhere, and his close relationship with Guillen could
expedite the deal. Zambrano, who has one year left on a $91 million
contract, was suspended by the Cubs after leaving the team on Aug. 12.
It’s almost guaranteed that he won’t be back next season. Florida has
also been a rumored destination for Ramirez, who will be a free agent at
the end of this season. The Marlins have a definite hole at third base,
and they’ll be looking to sign several big-name free agents as they
move into their new stadium next season.
ABOUT THE PADRES (70-91): It’s been quite a year for first baseman
Jesus Guzman, who will set the mark for the highest single-season
batting average in Petco Park history among players with more than 100
at-bats. Guzman was 2-for-4 Monday with a double, but he was scratched
from Tuesday’s lineup with a sore neck that’s bothered him for the past
week. He is hitting .346 (37-for-107) at Petco Park with one game to go.
The record for a season is .315 by Josh Bard in 2006. Just a year ago
at this time, Guzman was a forgotten man in the Giants’ farm system. St.
Louis fans have to be wondering why the Cardinals didn’t make a bigger
push to acquire Heath Bell at the trade deadline. Bell recorded his
sixth save in the Padres last 10 games Monday, and his 43 saves are his
second-highest season total as a closer.
FINAL PITCH: All four teams from California - the Angels, A’s,
Giants, Dodgers and Padres - are going to miss the playoffs this season.
It'll mark the first time since 1999 that California isn't represented
in the postseason.