Pregame Notes: Tsuyoshi Wada, Iowa Cubs take on Memphis Redbirds

Left-handed starting pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada has had himself a solid start to the 2014 season as he was named the ‘PCL Pitcher of the Week’ back in April.

More from Chicago Cubs News

• Alec Mills shocked Cubs fans, baseball world with 2020 no-hitter
• Cubs: After season of adjustments, Seiya Suzuki primed for monster 2023
• Projecting the 2023 Cubs Opening Day lineup
• Cubs: 2022 season a ‘success,’ according to Tom Ricketts
• Cubs have to stay healthy if they want to contend in 2023

Wada (4-2, 2.35 ERA) will be looking to pick up his fifth win of the campaign as he takes the mound against the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals). This will be start number 10 of the year for the 33 year old lefty who is currently tied with 24 year old teammate Kyle Hendricks (56) when it comes to strikeouts. Wada’s last outing came against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox – a team who handed him his second loss of the season, his first since April 18 against the New Orleans Zephyrs. He worked through 6.0 innings in that ball game – surrendering three earned runs off nine hits while issuing one walk and recording five strikeouts.

He’s the only Iowa Cubs starter with an ERA below 3.00. Don’t be surprised if the big league club clears a spot on the 40-man roster for this guy sometime in the future.

Taking the mound opposite of Wada is 24 year old lefty Tim Cooney. Cooney (4-4, 4.42 ERA) has already picked up a victory against the Iowa Cubs earlier on in the year. It was actually his first win of the season – where he worked through 6.0 innings, allowing four hits, one run (unearned) and struck out nine. A dominant performance I’m sure the Cubs will be looking to avoid later on this evening. Cooney made his most recent start against the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Houston Astros) where he picked up his second loss in a row.

Oklahoma tagged him for 12 hits as he was charged with six earned runs. He has given up 10 home runs so far in as many starts (four against Omaha Storm Chasers), so the guys taking the field tonight should be licking their chops.

Tonight’s Iowa Cubs vs Memphis Redbirds game is scheduled for 7:05 C.T. and will be aired on the CBS Sports Network.

Here’s a look at the starting lineup for the Memphis Rebirds:

Here’s a look at the starting lineup for your Iowa Cubs: