Milwaukee @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 12, 2010 ) Milwaukee 5, Chi. Cubs 9
Nobody expected Randy Wells to be the ace of the Chicago Cubs. But after some mediocre to disastrous starts by his teammates, that's exactly where the second-year right-hander finds himself in the second week of the season.
Wells snapped the Cubs' two-game losing streak to start the season with six shutout innings last Thursday at Atlanta. The 27-year-old induced 13 groundouts while scattering six hits and two walks against the Braves.
Chicago's most consistent starter during his 2009 rookie campaign, Wells posted a 3.05 ERA while going 12-10 by keeping the ball down in the zone and allowing just 46 walks in 165 1/3 innings. He faced Milwaukee three times last season, managing a 1-1 mark with a 3.60 ERA, including five scoreless innings in his first start of the season.
With Carlos Zambrano allowing 11 earned runs in his two starts this season and Ryan Dempster struggling with his control, the Cubs are looking to Wells to lead them to their first winning streak of the young season.
Wells will have to deal with the Milwaukee Brewers' dynamic duo of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun, both of whom had some success against the right-hander last season. Braun touched Wells for four hits in nine at-bats while Fielder's lone hit in six at-bats was a solo homer.
Fielder, who finished second in the National League with 46 homers and tied for the lead with 141 RBIs last season, has yet to find the stands in 2010, notching just two RBI while striking out nine times in his first 25 at-bats.
The 25-year-old slugger has been the center of some controversy recently, with Brewers owner Mark Attanasio openly suggesting that the team may not be able to afford the hefty first baseman once he reaches free agency.
Recent reports have suggested that Fielder and agent Scott Boras may be looking for a contract as big as eight years and $200 million on the open market - numbers that would make Fielder the second-highest paid player in the game.
Chicago took the series opener Monday behind homers from Xavier Nady, Jeff Baker and Aramis Ramirez. Marlon Byrd pitched in three hits and Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano added two apiece for the Cubs, who needed the offensive explosion to overcome five runs in 6 1/3 innings given up by Dempster.
Braun homered and drove in four for the Brewers.
Dave Bush will attempt to slow the Chicago offense today when he takes the mound for the Brewers. The veteran right-hander allowed three runs and struck out six over five innings but did not factor in the decision when Milwaukee fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Friday.
Chicago took the 2009 season series 10-7.