Major impact

Thursday: Cubs 11, Padres 3

You really gotta hand it to Bobby Scales. After playing over 1,000 minor league games, the 31-year-old is making the most of his chance with the big club. He has now played in six games, and has recorded at least one hit in every game. He is 8-for-18 (.444 average) with a home run, five RBI, and six runs scored. Every team has to deal with injuries, and you just hope that something positive comes from them. Scales was originally brought up when Zambrano went on the DL, and was able to remain on the team when Ramirez was shelved. Those are two guys you'd love to have on the active roster, but it's nice when an injury leads to someone unexpectedly showing the ability to be a key contributor. Even if Scales ends up back in Iowa at some point, you can rest assured he'll be at Wrigley in September when the rosters expand.

Thursday's key number: 10. Padres pitchers walked 10 Cubs, including four in a row to walk in a run in the fifth. Ryan Dempster, who had walked three or more in five of his seven starts this year, walked just two. Here's a recipe for a sweep: three quality starts, 23 runs by the offense.

The Cubs look to be regaining some of that Wrigley magic from last year--they're now 11-6 at home and 7-1 in their last eight at the friendly confines.

Quote of the Day

"I finally have an average (.105). Yay!"

-Ryan Dempster, after his first two hits of the season.

This weekend the Astros will come calling, and I'll be there Sunday with the Illinois Wesleyan University alumni group. The pitching matchups for the three-game series:

Friday: Brian Moehler (0-2, 8.44) vs. Randy Wells (0-0. 0.00)
Saturday: Roy Oswalt (1-2, 4.50) vs. Sean Marshall (1-2, 4.06)
Sunday: Felipe Paulino (1-3, 6.93) vs. Rich Harden (4-1, 4.54)