video thumbnail

ARI@COL: Chacin makes a heads-up play on a comebacker

The Cubs are trying to avoid that ugly 100-loss mark, but these pesky National League West ballparks aren't helping.

Chicago's loss Wednesday -- leaving it four from the century mark -- kept the Cubs winless out West this season. The Cubs have yet to win in San Francisco (0-4), Arizona (0-3), Los Angeles (0-3), San Diego (0-3) or Colorado (0-2).

Thursday's starter Chris Volstad knows all about winless streaks. He experienced a rather lengthy one himself, earning his first victory in 24 starts against these very Rockies, whom he held scoreless for 6 2/3 innings on Aug. 26.

Volstad also knows about trying to better himself.

"There are goals I've set for myself and things I want to accomplish [my next two starts]," Volstad said without going into specifics.

Volstad also said he has used video this season more than ever, adding he thinks it can help him finish strong.

"It also gives you added confidence knowing you have something you're going to do and you're the one in control of what you're doing and not the other way around," Volstad said. "It's, 'All right, this is what I'm doing here,' and you go out and do it."

Rockies right-hander Jhoulys Chacin opposes Volstad and the Cubs as the Rockies look to post their first sweep since beating the Mets in four straight from Aug. 20-23. Chacin has been impressive since returning from the disabled list in August, going 2-2 with a 2.88 ERA in seven starts. That includes an Aug. 26 outing against the Cubs in which he tossed five innings of one-run ball.

Cubs: Castro looks to finish strong
Starlin Castro has set career highs in home runs (14), RBIs (77), triples (12) and stolen bases (25) this season and is the only player in the Majors to have at least 10 homers, 10 triples, 25 stolen bases and 75 RBIs. He's also the first Major Leaguer to accomplish the combined feat since Jimmy Rollins in 2007.

• With 140 straight errorless games, second baseman Darwin Barney is one game shy of tying Placido Polanco's Major League errorless streak record at second base.

• Closer Carlos Marmol's next appearance will be his 450th as a Cub, surpassing Don Elston for third-most in franchise history.

Rockies: Home cookin'
The Rockies are batting .305 at Coors Field this season and are trying to become the first team to hit .300 or better at home since the Angels (.305) and Yankees (.300) did so in 2007. Colorado accomplished the feat from 1995-2005 but has not done so since. The Rockies play their final home game of the season Thursday.

• Rookie catcher Wilin Rosario has five multi-hit games in his last six.

Worth noting
• The Rockies have won or split every series against the Cubs at Coors Field since 2005.

• Colorado has collected double-digit hits in six straight games.

MLB.com Comments