Pregame Notes: Chicago Cubs take on the San Diego Padres in Mesa

Sep 13, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Villanueva (33) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Chicago Cubs won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs (12-15) host the San Diego Padres (8-12) in late Cactus League action today in Mesa, Arizona. First pitch is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. CT.

Today the mound for the Cubs today is right handed pitcher Carlos Villanueva. Villanueva (1-0, 6.17 ERA) pitched four complete innings against the Colorado Rockies in his last outing. He was tagged with three earned runs off three hits, one of those being a home run. It kicked his ERA up from 5.87 to 6.17 for the Spring. Also worth noting that this is his second start.

Starting today for the San Diego Padres is left handed pitcher Eric Stults. Stults (1-1, 7.15 ERA) is coming off a victory against the Los Angeles Angels where he pitched through five innings and was only charged with one earned run. This will be Stults’s fifth start of the Spring in just as many games.

Now here’s a look at the starting lineup for your Chicago Cubs:

Here’s the starting lineup for the visiting San Diego Padres:

The Cubs are coming off a huge win against the Oakland Athletics. Left fielder Junior Lake launched three home runs, where third baseman Luis Valbuena hit two of his own. Both men went back to back twice in that 10-6 win against the Athletics, but neither will play in today’s game.