Chicago Cubs Vs Colorado Rockies: Pre-Game Notes, Lineup, and TV Info

The Chicago Cubs kicked to the weekend off to a good start on Friday as the Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 5 to 3. The starting pitcher for the Cubs was Jeff Samardzija, and Samardzija continued his ascension to being the top pitcher in the Cubs’ starting pitching rotation. Samardzija did not factor in the decision, but the starting pitcher did earn a quality start in tossing 7 innings while allowing 3 runs–2 of which were earned–on 6 hits while striking out 7 Rockies’ batters. The struggles of center fielder Brett Jackson have been well documented since his promotion to the Major League level, but it was Jackson’s home run in the eighth inning that tied the game at 3. Jackson’s home run was the first of three runs scored in the eighth inning for the Cubs and propelled the Cubs to a 5 to 3 victory over the Rockies.

The Cubs look to take game 2 of the series against the Rockies as the teams continue their weekend series at Wrigley Field.

Broadcast Information

• Television: Comcast Sportsnet Chicago
• Radio: WGN Radio 720 AM
• Game Time: 12:05 PM

Starting Lineup

1. David DeJesus, Right Field
2. Josh Vitters, Third Base
3. Anthony Rizzo, First Base
4. Alfonso Soriano, Left Field
5. Starlin Castro, Shortstop
6. Welington Castillo, Catcher
7. Brett Jackson, Center Field
8. Darwin Barney, Second Base
9. Brooks Raley, Starting Pitcher

Pre-Game Notes

• That’s right, Brooks Raley is the starting pitcher for the Cubs and not Chris Rusin. Rusin had a relatively impressive Major League debut for the Cubs on Tuesday as the starting pitcher went five innings against the Milwaukee Brewers allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 2 base on balls. When the Cubs promoted Rusin to the Major League level and optioned Raley, I suggested that the team could be going through additions among their top level pitching prospects seeking to secure a spot in the 2013 starting rotation. Rusin’s start on Tuesday was strong enough to warrant a second start, though for whatever reason, Rusin is back in Iowa and Raley assumes his role in the Cubs’ starting rotation. Even though Cubs’ manager Dale Sveum has committed to Chris Volstad being in the starting rotation for the remainder of the season, one would have to wonder why Rusin is not getting the opportunity over Volstad. Volstad has received just about every opportunity possible to prove that he belongs in the Major League starting rotation, and he has yet to succeed.
• Josh Vitters is once again hitting in the #2 spot in the Cubs’ lineup. That does not make too much sense. The knock on Vitters is that he lacks patience on offense, a practice that is usually preferred for being a traditional #2 hitter in a lineup. The fact that Vitters is hitting #2 in the lineup may also be another indicator why he is likely not the Cubs long-term solution at the third base position. Vitters will likely progress into a respectable offensive player, but the one thing that he may lack is the overall power that third basemen generally have. In any event, Vitters has approximately five more weeks to showcase himself for being the team’s starting third baseman to begin the 2013 season.