Clouds and cold weather and precipitation in Chicago early this morning added up to one thing: snow on the ground at Wrigley Field. It's supposed to melt in time for tonight's game, but more chill rains are expected and playing conditions won't be great, even if they get the game in.
If they do, this could be advantageous to the Cubs. The San Diego Padres have played three games in St. Louis, ten at home in San Diego, and three indoors in Houston -- they can't be used to the cold. The Cubs have, at least, already played six games in conditions not much better than tonight's. It's really been quite cold and wet this April in Chicago, with only one warm day (when the Cubs were in Milwaukee a week ago yesterday).
So, tonight Carlos Zambrano will take the mound for the Cubs against the Padres' Tim Stauffer. Though the Cubs lost two of three in Colorado, they played the Rockies, who are probably the best team in the NL right now, pretty tough. The Padres come in with the same record as the Cubs (7-8) and having split a four-game series with the Astros in Houston.
The game begins at 7:05 p.m. CDT and will be televised on WCIU-Ch. 26.