On to the Astros

Everybody around the office was relieved that we got our first win yesterday. Nobody was truly panicking, but we all were looking for a win to really set the bar for this season. Yesterday, the Cubs hit, pitched and ran like they’ve been looking to do since returning from Mesa, Ariz.

Soriano, LF

Theriot, SS

Lee, 1B

Ramirez, 3B

Fukudome, RF

DeRosa, 2B

Soto, C

Pie, CF

Hill, LHP

The Astros will start with right-hander Chris Sampson on the mound.

Walk hard

There’s no question that Fukudome is a patient hitter. Already in his first three major-league games, he’s walked four times and several times taken at-bats deep into the count. Oh, he can hit, too: He’s 4-for-8 with two doubles and that three-run home run from Opening Day. That homer came on the first pitch.

Rewind and reverse

Kerry Wood looked good closing the ninth-inning of Ryan Dempster’s excellent start yesterday. It was just a few years ago that Dempster was sealing Wood’s games.