Home Opener Preview

Kerry Wood makes his 2005 debut today at the Cubs home opener in Chicago. It is a rare thing to have a home opener on a day as beautiful and sunny as today is; it's not uncommon for it still to be snowing this time of the year in Chicago. But the weather gods are smiling down upon Wrigley today, and let's hope the baseball gods are, too, as the Cubs will have to go up against Chris Capuano.

Capuano was 2-2 against the Cubs last year. In his winning outings, Capuano baffled Cub hitters, going 12 1/3 innings pitched, giving up 3 runs on a 8 hits while striking out 9 and walking 6. In his losing outings, Capuano went 5 2/3, giving up 15 runs on 14 hits while striking out 9 and walking 4.

Capuano's problem throughout his career at both the minor and major league level has been that he gives up way too many hits. Last year he gave up118 hits in 121 innings, including 21 home runs. Opponents hit .269 against him, and his OPS allowed was .842.

Key Matchups (Numbers vs. Capuano, Wood)
Derrek Lee, 5-for-9, 2 HR, 1.933 OPS
Aramis Ramirez, 3-for-12, 1 HR, .891 OPS
Jeromy Burnitz, 0-for-8, 4 SO

Carlos Lee, 8-for-17, 1 HR, 1.232 OPS
Wes Helms, 4-for-9, 1.000 OPS
Damian Miller, 0-for-8, 5 SO