Jon Lester is going to throw a simulated game soon, as he returns from his hamstring strain. The Cubs will still be without him for a tad bit longer, but with a few more off days they had the option to stick with a four-man rotation through April 27. Last Sunday's game against the Angels was postponed, so Tyler Chatwood didn't have to fill in for Lester.
However, Joe Maddon is tweaking the rotation this weekend and because of the matchup he's having Chatwood start on Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
That will push Jose Quintana back to next week's series against the Dodgers. The reason for the change is that Arizona is worse against right-handed pitching and the Dodgers are slightly worse against left-handed pitching.
So, now with the change, Quintana and Cole Hamels will start against the Dodgers.
OK, cool. Makes sense working the matchups to the best of your advantage except for the fact that it's TYLER CHATWOOD!
Maddon also said that Chatwood was throwing down in Miami to get stretched out for the start and that he should be good to go for 75-80 pitches. Great, so Chatwood will be out of the game by the fourth inning.
I tried to be really positive when it came to Chatwood this spring training and although the numbers did end up looking good he was still a little too shaky. But hey, improvement!
In the regular season Chatwood has made four relief appearances, walking five in six innings, surrendering four runs on six hits. He has pitched two straight scoreless outings, giving up only one hit in 2.1 innings, with four strikeouts. But he has also walked three, so you know, there's that.
So, if you're planning on having a nice, relaxing Easter Sunday just wait until Chatwood is taken out. No need to sweat out having to see multiple base runners on every inning and watching him fall behind every batter.
As always, I hope I'm dead wrong. Tyler Chatwood no-hitter here we come! (with 10 walks)
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