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Better weather is in the forecast for Saturday, when the Cubs
continue their opening series against the visiting Milwaukee
Brewers.
Friday's postponement followed the Cubs' season-opening 5-4
victory. Nico Hoerner hit a two-run homer for Chicago and Ian
Happ had three hits, including a tiebreaking, two-run double in
the seventh inning.
Friday's game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on
May 30. The two scheduled starting pitchers will now take the
mound on Saturday.
Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (4-4, 4.26 ERA in 2021) made his
major league debut last April as a reliever before finishing the
season in the rotation.
"To spend seven years in the minors -- it was a long journey,
went through Tommy John surgery, went through some injuries to
get to the big leagues -- it just made it all that much sweeter
when I finally did make it," Steele said. "And it's been really
cool to continue the journey."
The 26-year-old went 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA in four games (two
starts) against the Brewers last season.
Milwaukee will turn to right-hander Brandon Woodruff (9-10,
2.56), who finished fifth in the NL Cy Young balloting in 2021.
Woodruff is 4-1 with a 2.07 ERA in 18 games (16 starts) against
the Cubs, including 2-0 with a 0.64 mark in five outings last
season.
The Mississippi native is eager to leave Spring Training behind
after allowing 16 hits, 15 runs and 14 earned runs in 11 1/2
innings.
"Once the lights turn on and the season gets going, it's a
different ballgame and that's what I'm ready for," Woodruff
said.
Jason Heyward is 3-for-20 in his career against Woodruff while
Happ has been limited to three hits in 21 at-bats, including a
home run.
Happ batted fourth on Thursday after making just 14 starts in
the cleanup spot last season, when the departed trio of Anthony
Rizzo, Javier Baez and Kris Bryant combined for 80 starts in the
No. 4 slot.
Chicago right fielder Seiya Suzuki went 1-for-2 with two walks
in his U.S. debut following nine seasons in Japan.
Milwaukee dropped its opener despite outhitting Chicago 10-8.
Andrew McCutchen, Willy Adames and Rowdy Tellez each had two
hits while Lorenzo Cain drove in two runs. The Brewers finished
1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
"We kind of dealt with that last year," said Cain. "I don't see
that as something we're dealing with all year long. It's the
first game of the season. Everybody is excited and amped up."
McCutchen served as the designated hitter in his first game with
the Brewers after agreeing to a one-year contract last month.
The 35-year-old joins a talented outfield that includes Cain as
well as Christian Yelich, Hunter Renfroe and Tyrone Taylor.
Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said
McCutchen was signed mainly to serve as the team's regular
designated hitter.
"I think that's probably the primary spot where he's going to
get plate appearances," Stearns said. "And then I imagine
there's also going to be times where we're using the corner
outfield. The DH gives us some flexibility to add an additional
offensive player. That's what we've done here."
--Field Level Media
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