Numbers telling for Russell, Pena
The numbers were down for two players in Monday night’s lineup for the Cubs at Dodger Stadium.
Question is, will those players’ numbers be up in terms of losing playing time?
In the case of pitcher James Russell, it could be awhile before we see him make another start, based both on performance the calendar.
As far as first baseman Carlos Pena goes, the Cubs will likely stick with their $10 million man.
Russell made his fourth start of the season since the injuries to Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells, both of whom threw off the bullpen mound Monday as the next step in their rehabs.
In his first 3 starts, Russell was 0-3 with an 11.17 ERA. He opened the season in the bullpen, where he enjoyed success since last year.
“Every time I see Russ, he seems like the same guy,” manager Mike Quade told reporters before the game. “Just trying to come up with a little different approach against right-handed hitters. His approach to left-handed hitters is pretty darn good and was in the bullpen and I think will be now. His effectiveness with his changeup, with his cutter against right-handed hitters will determine his fate, for sure.”
Russell started out reasonably well against the Dodgers. He gave up a pair of runs in the second inning but failed once again to last 5 innings as he was removed during the Dodgers’ 3-run fifth with two outs. His final batter was Andre Ethier, who extended a hitting streak to 28 games with an RBI infield single. That gave L.A. a 5-1 lead.
Neither Russell nor new No. 4 starter Casey Coleman has turned in a quality start since Wells and Cashner went on the disabled list almost a month ago.
In 4 starts, Russell has worked 14 innings, giving up 25 hits and 16 earned runs. With off-days coming up Thursday and again next Monday, the Cubs have the option of skipping Russell’s spot. Veteran lefty Doug Davis, whom the Cubs signed in April, is expected to start Thursday for Class A Daytona and then possibly move up to Class AAA Iowa.
Depending on when Wells or Cashner is ready, it’s possible Davis could slide into the No. 5 spot.
As far as Pena goes, he went 0-for-April in home runs, and he’s starting to gain attention on one prominent statistical site. Fangraphs.com had a piece Monday titled, “What’s wrong with Carlos Pena?”
“Pena falls into the category of a three-outcome hitter,” the piece began. “So far, two of the outcomes are there. Pena’s 15.6 percent walk rate is consistent with what we’ve seen from him over the past few seasons. His 36.5 percent strikeout rate is a bit elevated, but striking out one-third of the time is not uncommon for him; zero home runs, however, and 1 extra-base hit is not only different, but rather scary. In fact, if you go back to the final two months of 2010, Pena has just 5 home runs in his last 237 plate appearances.
“While Pena has had empty swings against change-ups and curveballs in the past, he is now missing fastballs more often. Not really want you want to see from an aging slugger.”
bmiles@dailyherald.com