Darvish and Cease Again…Really? Cubs vs Padres Series Preview

Cubs vs Padres — Of course the Cubs are getting Yu Darvish *and* Dylan Cease again in their second matchup with the Padres (who also just added another quality hitter in Luis Arraez). That’s some crap luck and timing.

Because while the Cubs were able to chase Darvish from his last start against them after just 3.0 IP, he’s still Yu Darvish. Even at 37-years-old, I am routinely impressed by that man. And if he’s feeling himself tonight, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he handles the Cubs much better this time around. Especially because Seiya Suzuki and Cody Bellinger aren’t back yet (Suzuki went 1-1 with a double and a walk of Darvish, while Bellinger went 1-2 with two RBI).

And Cease is back to pitching out of his mind, with 21 strikeouts and just three walks over his last three starts and a 2.55 ERA on the season. Cease held the Cubs to just 2 hits and two earned runs over 6.0 innings back in April. And again, that was with a full strength lineup.

But, hey, at least the Cubs are getting Justin Steele back tonight! That is a big boon to their rotation, which has been rocking and rolling lately, and possibly also the bullpen if Ben Brown is the guy that moves over, as expected. I’d probably just make him the closer on day 1. I can’t stand another Hector Neris ninth. I really can’t.

Note: The Cubs are using TWO left-handed starters this series, Steele and Shota Imanaga. And while both guys are good bets to be good on any given day, the Padres are a good matchup for them.

Padres Offensive Splits:

vRHP: .277/.335/.426; 123 wRC+ (2nd in MLB)
vLHP: .195/.290/.360; 92 wRC+ (20th in MLB)

And Luis Arraez (career 96 wRC+ vLHP) shouldn’t really make a huge impact on those numbers.

As for the Cubs offense, I think they’re finally starting to head in the right direction.

Chris Morel, for example, is slashing .235/.371/.510 (153 wRC+) with four homers since April 20.

Michael Busch has five hits (3 for x-bases) in his last four games (4Ks yesterday though …)

Ian Happ has six hits and four walks in May, which is good for a 154 wRC+

Even Dansby Swanson hit a homer! I don’t think any of these guys are totally, officially out of the woods. But they were in DEEP slumps, so you’ll absolutely be happy about this level of production, especially when we’re just days away from Cody Bellinger and perhaps Seiya Suzuki returning.

Meanwhile … Although I’m not hopping off the Mike Tauchman train – he’s literally carried us and deserves some grace – he does have just two hits and a 32 wRC+ in May so far. Still drew more walks (4) than strikeouts (3), but you definitely don’t want to OVER-expose him either.

Lastly, Nico, my guy. You are the man.

Nico Hoerner in May:

5 Games
8 hits
3 doubles
2 homers
3 stolen bases
3 walks, 2 strikeouts

Slashing .400/.478/.700 (226 wRC+)… LOL.

For the season, he's at .282/.358/.397 (119 wRC+) with a strikeout rate under 10%. He is LOCKED in.— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) May 6, 2024

Cubs vs Padres – Pitching Probables:

Game 1: Monday, May 6 at 6:40 CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Cubs: Justin Steele, LHP

Padres: Yu Darvish, RHP

Game 2: Tuesday, May 7 at 6:40 CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Cubs: Shota Imanaga, LHP

Padres: TBD

Game 3: Wednesday, May 8 at 1:20 CT at Wrigley Field
Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

Cubs: Hayden Wesneski, RHP

Padres: Dylan Cease, RHP

Cubs vs Padres – Key Injuries:

Chicago Cubs:

Seiya Suzuki, OF

Cody Bellinger, OF

Kyle Hendricks, SP

Drew Smyly, RP

Jordan Wicks, LHP

Julian Merryweather, RP

Caleb Kilian, SP

San Diego Padres:

Tucapita Marcano, IF/OF

Glenn Otto, SP

Luis Patiño, RP

Joe Musgrove, SP