Home cooking

After a rough roadtrip to St. Louis and Cincinnati, the Cubs are returning home to the “Friendly Confines” for a 10-game stretch. The competition won’t be any easier to start, however, as Chicago hosts Arizona for three games and San Diego for four.

Here’s today’s lineup:

Soriano, LF
Theriot, SS

Lee, 1B

Ramirez, 3B

Fukudome, RF

Soto, C

DeRosa, 2B

Johnson, CF

Lilly, LHP

Right-hander Dan Haren takes the mound for the Diamondbacks, the majors’ best team through a month and a half. Haren (4-1, 3.12 ERA) was acquired from Oakland in the off-season.

Back down … for now

Sean Marshall was sent down this morning to make room for left-hander Scott Eyre, who is returning from elbow inflammation.

Of course these days are bittersweet in the clubhouse with some calls that need to be made for the guy being optioned back to the minors. But everyone is hopeful that Sean makes his way back soon, particularly as another left-handed starter or long man. He wasn’t going to get the consistent opportunities to “stretch out” on the major-league club.

Cubs Sudoku

Don’t forget to pick up your Wrigley Field Scorecard EXTRA at the ballpark this weekend for the second edition of Cubs Sudoku.

Here is the answer for the Arizona series, including a couple secret messages.