Injuries Dim Cubs' Hopes for Evening Win Against Astros

The Chicago Cubs will go limping into the second game of a three-game series with the Houston Astros this evening. The Cubs were hoping to get some wins against Houston before hitting the road against some tough teams but now will be lucky just to hold their own.

Cash Kruth has posted an article at the MLB.com website titled "Astros tab Lyle for big league debut vs. Cubs."

Jordan Lyles will be starting for the Astros. It is hard to know what to expect from him since he has no experience and hence no record to examine.

For the Cubs it will be Carlos Zambrano (5-2, 4.59 ERA) on the mound. Zambrano hasn't been as sharp recently as he was at the beginning of the season but he is still a good pitcher and gives the Cubs a shot at winning.

The injuries for the Cubs are overwhelming. At first the pitchers were the position being affected. Now it seems no position on the team is safe from disaster.

In Kruth's report we find the list of Cubs' injuries: They include "Jeff Baker (groin), Reed Johnson (back), Marlon Byrd (face), Andrew Cashner (shoulder) and Matt Garza (elbow)."

The Cubs already have Tony Campana in center field for Byrd. Now Chicago will have to add DJ LeMahieu at an infield position as well as Lou Montanez who has been playing in right field. These three players are guys who have been called up from the minor leagues.

According to Cubs' Manager Mike Quade there have been 12 or 13 players from the Cubs' "farm system."

There are a number of problems that can occur because of the current situation the Chicago Cubs find themselves in. First these players are not experienced at the Major League level so no one knows how they will perform. Next the chemistry of the team is affected. One player is not as comfortable with another player because they haven't practiced with them as much. Even the confidence level may be affected.

How are the starters going to fare once they return to service? Further what shape will the Cubs be in "record-wise" by the time they get back?

It may be time to say "Wait until next year."

References:

MLB.com Website, Cash Kruth, "Astros tab Lyles for big league debut Vs. Cubs"

MLB.com Website, "Carlos Zambrano Statistics"