The Cubs have played a combined total of zero games against NL Central opponents, but they’re about to play their sixth against the Dodgers alone. Add in seven against the Diamondbacks and six against the Padres, and you might think Chicago was out west somewhere. Opponents from east of the Mississippi will start up this weekend, which is nice.
At least these games are starting either way too late or way too early, plus the Cubs have off-days sandwiching this two-gamer. That allows Craig Counsell to be a little more aggressive with his bullpen, though the hope is that he won’t need to.