Much like the weekend series against the Brewers, there’s one game this series that looks like a guaranteed loss. In this case, it’s today’s game where James Russell faces Brett Myers. Of course, in the Brewers game it was Casey Coleman versus Yovani Gallardo, and the Cubs beat up on Gallardo.
Russell is keeping a good attitude about being a lamb led to the slaughter. At least he’s facing perhaps the worst lineup in baseball. He isn’t expected to go more than a few innings.
On the other side of the bump, Brett Myers is crazy consistent. He’s gone six or more innings in 34 of his last 35 starts. He’s also good. Grumble.
Getting close to wrath: Kosuke Fukudome remains day-to-day with a hamstring strain. He’s not expected to go on the DL, but Mike Quade is preaching caution. “You push that early and he could be out six weeks instead of four or five days,” Quade said. “He felt better after treatment and his workout today … He’s too valuable to send him out and bring somebody up today.” If Tyler Colvin swings like he did last night, we will all be praying for a prompt return. Oh, and we’re missing valuable Fukudome April at bats!
Quade offers the final word on Bad Attempted Steal(Gate): “We talked about all that, and I think we’ve come up with a solution. It’s just a green-light sign to me, and whether or not he had the green light. I don’t think he had the green light. [Third base coach Ivan DeJesus] doesn’t think [he did]. He thought he did. So we have three guys. Three of us screw the thing up, and we move on. And we try not to do that again.”