When Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer took over the Chicago Cubs, they decided very quickly to move the Chicago Cubs into "rebuilding mode." They declined to re-sign Carlos Pena, traded away Carlos Zambrano and also dealt reliever Sean Marshall, who had been one of the best and most consistent Cubs of the past few years.
The major takeaway from that Marshall deal with the Cincinnati Reds was starting pitcher Travis Wood, and Wood will take the mound for the Cubs for the first time this season. Wood battled for a rotation spot in Spring Training this season, but had a pretty rough go of it and was soundly beaten out by veteran starters. But with Matt Garza dealing with an illness, Wood will get a chance to make an impression on Sunday vs. the Dodgers.
After a stellar rookie season that saw him post a 3.51 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 17 starts, Wood experienced a sophomore slump in 2011, as his ERA jumped up to 4.84 and his WHIP skyrocketed to 1.49. The Cubs are banking on Wood being much closer to his 2010 self than what he was last year, and today they'll get their first look at the gamble.
The Dodgers will counter with Aaron Harang, the pitch-to-contact starter who has been hammered so far in 2012.
Game date/time: Sunday, May 6, 2012, 1:05 p.m. CT
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.
TV: WGN
For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage on the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA.
When Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer took over the Chicago Cubs, they decided very quickly to move the Chicago Cubs into "rebuilding mode." They declined to re-sign Carlos Pena, traded away Carlos Zambrano and also dealt reliever Sean Marshall, who had been one of the best and most consistent Cubs of the past few years.
The major takeaway from that Marshall deal with the Cincinnati Reds was starting pitcher Travis Wood, and Wood will take the mound for the Cubs for the first time this season. Wood battled for a rotation spot in Spring Training this season, but had a pretty rough go of it and was soundly beaten out by veteran starters. But with Matt Garza dealing with an illness, Wood will get a chance to make an impression on Sunday vs. the Dodgers.
After a stellar rookie season that saw him post a 3.51 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP in 17 starts, Wood experienced a sophomore slump in 2011, as his ERA jumped up to 4.84 and his WHIP skyrocketed to 1.49. The Cubs are banking on Wood being much closer to his 2010 self than what he was last year, and today they'll get their first look at the gamble.
The Dodgers will counter with Aaron Harang, the pitch-to-contact starter who has been hammered so far in 2012.
Game date/time: Sunday, May 6, 2012, 1:05 p.m. CT
Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.
TV: WGN
For more on Chicago sports, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage on the Cubs, head over to Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more on the Dodgers, check out True Blue LA.