Rainout suits Cubs just fine

In more than one way, it was probably just as well the Cubs' game Wednesday against the Rockies was rained out at Wrigley Field. The teams will make it up Monday, June 27, at 1:20 p.m.

First, the Cubs are riding a three-game losing streak, and the Rockies are a hot team.

Second, the rainout gives the Cubs a chance to reshuffle their pitching rotation. Casey Coleman, who was supposed to start Wednesday, will be available out of the bullpen beginning Thursday night at Arizona. For now, he's the scheduled starting pitcher for Sunday's series finale against the Diamondbacks.

The Cubs' brass can figure out what it's going to do with the troubled fifth spot in the rotation. General manager Jim Hendry will accompany the team on the trip, and he'll sit down with manager Mike Quade and pitching coach Mark Riggins to decide if they want to give James Russell another start or call someone up from Class AAA Iowa.

And third, you can pick whatever term you want to describe how the Cubs have looked of late. Words such as “blah,” “lackluster” and “uninspiring” come to mind.

Maybe the Cubs just aren't very good, and maybe it's the weather that's cast a gloom over this 10-13 club.

“It's been a tough stretch, even by Chicago standards,” said Quade, a Chicago-area native. “We're all from here, but the warm weather will be nice, and we know it will be better when we get back. This is the greatest place in the world, but it can be tough in April, and we've had a pretty long stretch of it here. We'll see if the bats won't be helped by some warm weather.”

The Diamondbacks have a retractable dome, and from there, the Cubs head to Los Angeles.

“It can wear on you, when you get 10 days of this kind of weather,” Quade said. “It wears on all of us, whether we're playing baseball or anything else. I'm sure we'd love to have the conditions we're going to get right here at home. The warm weather won't be frowned upon.”

Power outage:

The most disturbing part of the Cubs' offense so far has been the lack of power, especially at Wrigley Field.

At the Friendly Confines, the Cubs have been outhomered by their opponents 17-8. In the three games where the wind has blown out, the visitors have hit 8 homers to just 1 for the Cubs.

Several players are suffering home run droughts of varying lengths. To wit:

Ÿ Marlon Byrd has not homered since Sept. 6, 2010.

Ÿ Carlos Pena has not homered since Sept. 28, 2010.

Ÿ Jeff Baker, who has hit well overall, hasn't hit a homer since April 8.

Ÿ Tyler Colvin, who was in Wednesday's scheduled lineup, has not hit a home run since April 12.

Ÿ Another power hitter, Aramis Ramirez, homered last on April 6.

Ÿ And Geovany Soto hasn't homered since April 8.

Baker thriving:

The Cubs will face four right-handed pitchers this weekend in Arizona. Mike Quade said to expect Kosuke Fukudome in the leadoff spot.

Jeff Baker was scheduled to hit third for the first time Wednesday, with Starlin Castro moving back into the No. 2 slot. Baker is riding a four-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-16. For the season, he has a hitting line of .409/.422/.568.

“I don't care where I hit, 1 through 8,” Baker said. “As long as it's not 9, the pitcher's not hitting in front of me, I don't care. I'm just happy to be playing, getting an opportunity.”

Even though Baker had a rough season against right-handed pitchers last year, he's off to a good start this season (6-for-19, .316), and he sounded glad Wednesday to be shedding the “can't hit right-handers” label.

“I always believed I could hit right-handers,” he said. “I've done it all my career. It's one of those things.”

Although he doesn't necessarily have a “home” as far as position goes — he plays first base, second base, third base and can play the outfield — Baker looks to have found a home with the Cubs with his versatility.

“It does matter, the position,” he said. “It's all going to work out. It's about having a role that's functional and that's defined and you know what's expected. It's a good feeling.”

Talk lineups and get a minor-league roundup on the Daily Herald's baseball blog, Chicago's Inside Pitch, at dailyherald.com. Follow Bruce Miles on Twitter @BruceMiles2112.