Cubs Face 'Litmus Test' Against Central Division Reds

COMMENTARY | Whether the Cubs want to admit it or not, they are not handicapped. They will be entertaining the Cincinnati Reds Friday, with regular starting pitcher Matt Garza (1-3, 3.96 ERA). This is going to be a litmus test.

Quinn Roberts has posted an article at the MLB.com website titled "Cubs welcome Reds, divisional play." The Cubs have opened the season playing National League West opponents and, as manager Mike Quade says, " -- have had enough of the West Coast for now -- "

Actually, I wonder why those who make the schedules plot games home and away all at once. Wouldn't it be interesting if teams were allowed to "mature?" I'm guessing it has to do with money.

Garza will pitch against Edinson Volquez (2-1, 5.67 ERA). Volquez just had a good game Saturday and, while his ERA is somewhat high, he has managed two wins and is a worthy foe.

It is necessary to mention last year that the Reds embarrassed the Cubs, beating them 12 out of 16 games.

This game signals the start of the comparison of division competition. The Cubs will be meeting the Reds along with their deadly enemies, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs are currently in fourth place with a 14-16 record, three games behind the Central Division-leading Cardinals and a game-and-a-half behind the second-place Reds.

So far this season, the Cubs have battled to a 4-5 record against the National League Central.

The Cubs have two players who have been struggling with their bats, Marlon Byrd and Carlos Pena. Both have hit their first home runs of the season. However, Byrd has broken the doldrums: His batting average is now .295. It was .267 just 12 games ago.

To reflect how important Chicago's starting pitching is, and perhaps to show how much they've been hurt by having two starters injured, when the Cubs' starting pitchers work into the sixth inning, they are flaunting a 14-6 record.

While Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells, the Chicago starters who are injured, are close to returning, the Cubs are still going to have to struggle through some more games without them.

Today starts the "litmus test."

References:

MLB.com Website, Quinn Roberts, "Cubs welcome Reds, divisional play"

MLB.com Website, "Standings"

MLB.com Website , "Matt Garza Statistics"

MLB.com Website, "Edinson Volquez Statistics"