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CHICAGO -- For the second consecutive game, Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is batting fifth against the San Diego Padres in their series finale at Wrigley Field on Thursday.

For almost all of the first 27 games this season Castro has batted second for manager Dale Sveum until Wednesday. Sveum said he needed to be "creative" the last couple of days with his lineup and wants to take advantage of Cody Ransom's hot bat against left-handing pitching, so Ransom is batting second against southpaw Eric Stults while Castro is batting fifth. For now it's just a short-term thing for the Cubs shortstop.

"In our normal lineup he's going to hit second," Sveum said.

But the bigger question is where does Castro fit in the lineup long term?

"On our team right now he's a 2-hole hitter," Sveum said. "He's a hand/eye coordination guy that's going to put the ball in play that doesn't walk much so he's maybe more apt to hit in the bottom of the order because he will hit into some double plays and things like that, but with the team we have right now, he's our second hitter."

That makes it sound like when the Cubs have some better hitters in the lineup Castro will indeed move down. But in the same press gathering Sveum seemed to contradict himself.

"I see him as a 2-hole hitter on prolific offensive teams," he said. "When everything is set correctly he's a 2-hole hitter."

Maybe the bottom line is it's yet to be determined where he should hit and maybe it also depends on what you expect out of your No. 2 hitter. ESPN.com's Keith Law makes the case that a team's best hitter should be batting second which might mean that's Castro's place. But that's a more modern way of thinking. Plus, is Castro the Cubs' best hitter? Can a team's best hitter get on base just 30 percent of the time and have three walks in 27 games as Castro has?

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Castro ranks 29th out of 32 teams in walk percentage for No. 2 hitters in baseball. He also swings outside the strike zone 34 percent of the time which is third-most among No. 2 hitters. Overall, he swings at pitches 51 percent of the time and that ranks fourth.

He's a free swinger. We knew that without the stats. That screams of batting in a spot where more runners can be on base.

"You hit more with men in scoring position," Castro said of hitting fifth. "Position for more RBI out there."

But it's not just to get more RBIs, it's to see better pitches. To take full advantage of Castro's style allowing him to potentially hit with runners on base more often seems like the way to go. Hitting with runners on base inherently means seeing better pitches as a pitcher simply can't nibble as much. Castro swings at those "nibbling" pitches.

So if you do believe in the more traditional sense of a No. 2 hitter then Castro doesn't belong anywhere near there. And if you buy into the best hitter on the team should be hitting No. 2 then Castro simply needs to become the best hitter. Maybe on this Cubs team he is, but if he doesn't take more walks then he won't be.

Sveum says with his temporary switch of Castro to the 5-hole he's not "assessing" anything long-term. Maybe he should.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs surged ahead early in a 6-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in the third of a four-game set at Wrigley Field on Wednesday.

How it happened: Former Cub and No. 1 draft pick Andrew Cashner started for the first time against Chicago. Cashner was traded to San Diego for first baseman Anthony Rizzo in 2011. Manager Dale Sveum started seven left-handed hitters in his lineup. Starlin Castro started the scoring with an RBI single that plated Julio Borbon in the first inning. Cubs starting pitcher Scott Feldman doubled in the second run, scoring Darwin Barney in the second inning. Cashner's pitch count (76 through three innings) skyrocketed in the third, thanks in large part to a two-run double by catcher Dioner Navarro. Cashner’s 89th pitch was an RBI groundout off the bat of Luis Valbuena. Nate Schierholtz doubled home the sixth run in the seventh inning. San Diego second baseman Jedd Gyorko hits his first major league home run to break up Feldman's shutout in the eighth. Chase Headley homered with one out in the ninth.

What it means: The Cubs have won six of their past nine games. With a win on Thursday, they can wrap up their second straight series victory. Feldman pitched his first career complete game as he records his second consecutive win while striking out 12. That matches his career high. After a rough beginning to the season, the veteran pitcher has been outstanding as of late.

Outside the box: Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said infielder Ian Stewart is not ready to return to the major leagues; he's rehabbing a leg injury in the minors. Teams can send a player out for only 20 days on a rehab assignment. “You can always get recertified if you are not healthy yet," Epstein said. "He has had some bumps and bruises along the way. We will just monitor it daily and see how he is doing.” … Another rehab began for the Cubs as RHP Matt Garza threw 42 pitches in 2⅔ innings at Double-A on Wednesday. Garza is rehabbing from a strained side muscle he injured on Feb. 17. Sveum said Garza will return to the team in between minor league starts. He also stated his pitcher would be re-evaluated after the third outing.

Up next: Chicago LHP Travis Wood (2-1, 2.25 ERA) faces Padres LHP Eric Stults (2-2, 5.67 ERA) in Thursday's series finale.

CINCINNATI -- Let's get one thing straight: Despite manager Dale Sveum's more than cryptic comments this past weekend in Milwaukee, the Chicago Cubs are not sending Anthony Rizzo or Starlin Castro or any other everyday player to the minors anytime soon.

If they do, it might mark the first time a team's core player was sent down strictly because of defense. Struggling mightily at the plate is one thing, playing shoddy defense is another. You don't go to the minors for that. You go to the bench.

Isn't the bench the first way to punish or teach or give a breather to a player? It's interesting that Sveum didn't mention this as the more logical answer. Maybe he meant it that way. Who knows, the guy was obviously not happy in Milwaukee where the Cubs committed six errors en route to getting swept by the Brewers.

Then again, benchings aren't part of Sveum's style of managing. This was his view in spring training when asked if Castro should play all 162 games in 2013 as he did last year.

"I'm old school that way," Sveum said. "If you have players that good, going into the season you want consistency and if the consistency is there then those guys play 162 games. That's why they get paid a lot of money and they're one of the best in baseball at their job."

Presumably Sveum was talking mostly about their offense. A huge slump at the plate might dictate a day off but maybe a fielding slump should as well. And hopefully the players take it for what it should be: a punishment. It's not like they're fatigued this early on. Make sure they know sitting for a game isn't doing what's best for them, it's doing what's best for the team. There is no better wake-up call then a benching.

And the excuses are over. Cold weather could have contributed to a few mistakes early on this year but Miller Park's roof was closed and still the Cubs couldn't field the ball.

Wake Castro or Rizzo up with a benching because even they don't believe they're going to the minors. But anyone can sit for a game – or more. That should be Sveum's first move.

CINCINNATI -- The 5-12 Chicago Cubs are starting to accomplish some things on defense the organization hasn't seen in quite some time. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it's been 10 years since the Cubs gave up more than 14 unearned runs – as they have this season – in their first 17 games of the season.

The last time they made more than 17 errors in their first 17 games was in 2000. Finally, 1995 was the last time the Cubs committed more than 17 errors and gave up more than 14 unearned runs in the first 17 games. Those aren't numbers any manager wants to see.

It's not a reach by any means to conclude the six errors the Cubs made over the weekend in Milwaukee cost them all three games.

On Friday, the first play of the game – an easy grounder to Anthony Rizzo at first base – was muffed, and the next four batters hit for the cycle putting the Cubs in a 4-0 hole. Losing by a run, 5-4, only highlights the magnitude of that error.

Saturday's miscues led manager Dale Sveum to say the Cubs were making "rookie ball" mistakes. A dropped fly ball by Alfonso Soriano in the fifth followed later in that inning by a bobbled ground ball by Starlin Castro allowed two unearned runs to score as did Edwin Jackson's throw into center field on a double play attempt in the sixth. The final there was 5-1 with four scoring thanks to those errors.
Finally, on Sunday pitcher Scott Feldman couldn't snag a ball hit back to him with two outs in the fifth allowing Ryan Braun to come to bat. He promptly hit a hanging breaking pitch for a 3-run home run.

The biggest culprits in the field so far have been Castro (4 errors) and Feldman (3). But at least Castro has done it over all 17 games. Feldman has appeared in just three. The last Cubs shortstop with more than four errors in team's first 17 games of a season was Castro last season. He had 7 through his first 17 games. The last pitchers with more than errors were Carlos Zambrano and Felix Doubront who each had 3 in 2010.

So the Cubs gave up eight unearned runs out of 14 scored by the Brewers. That's basically handing the entire series to the opponent. And remember it was before this past weekend -- last Tuesday in fact -- team president Theo Epstein said "we're not talented enough to play this sloppy." Obviously, his team wasn't listening.

MILWAUKEE -- Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum might be sending a message to his team after yet another sloppy loss on Saturday night to the Milwaukee Brewers.

"We're making mistakes that rookie ball people make," Sveum said after a 5-1 loss. "It seems to be the story every night."

The Cubs made three more bad errors Saturday leading to four unearned runs, and most alarming is they were made by key players -- two of whom should remain with the team if the Cubs become contenders over the next several years.

"It's unbelievable," Starlin Castro said. "I think we're trying to do too much. Trying to be too perfect."

Castro made his fourth error of the season, with two outs and a man on third base, on the easiest of ground balls in the fifth inning. That was preceded earlier in the inning by a fly ball that Alfonso Soriano dropped after thinking he had to go back for it instead of toward the infield. One inning later, Edwin Jackson threw away a potential double-play ball into center field.

"I double clutched," Jackson said. "Once I doubled clutched I didn't gather back up; caused me to open up instead of stay closed."

As always with this team lately, the outcome of the game is secondary. A more important concern is Castro's ability to play shortstop. Another question is whether Jackson can be a mainstay after starting 0-3. He's signed for four years and $52 million. Castro for seven years and $60 million. Sveum was asked if there really is anything he can do about the defense in terms of personnel considering the miscues are being made by his mainstays.

"There's always options if you can't play," Sveum said cryptically. "To win in the big leagues you have to have people that perform, and perform in 162 days and not once in a while. Otherwise you lose your job."

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MILWAUKEE -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago Cubs' 5-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday:

How it happened: Jonathan Lucroy improved to 6-15 lifetime against Edwin Jackson when he smacked a solo home run in the second inning. The Cubs tied the score in the fourth when Alfonso Soriano drove in Starlin Castro from second base. But the Brewers took the lead for good when the Cubs made two errors in the fifth leading to two unearned runs. First, Soriano dropped a fly ball -- that runner came around to score -- and two outs later Castro flubbed an easy grounder allowing another one to come in. In the sixth inning, Jackson threw away an easy double-play ball and the Brewers scored two more unearned runs. Other than the Castro run in the fourth inning, Cubs bats were silent against first-time starter Hiram Burgos and the Brewers' relief corps.

What it means: There's simply no excuse for many of the errors the Cubs have made this season. It has derailed more than just Saturday's game and more than one decent start from the team's rotation. A lack of focus seems to be the only answer, as these errors have come mostly on routine plays. The rest of the game, as well as Jackson's overall performance, is hard to judge when it comes apart so needlessly. After all, Jackson made one of the errors himself, leading to runs that don't count on his ERA. Maybe they should.

Key stat: Three errors in the game tied the Cubs with the Washington Nationals for the major league lead with 15, though the Cubs have played one fewer game.

What's next: The 5-11 Cubs try to avoid the sweep on Sunday when Scott Feldman takes the mound.

Maybe it was more than a coincidence the Chicago Cubs and the City of Chicago finally announced an official plan on Sunday night for renovating Wrigley Field just hours after arguably the worst loss of the young season.

A distraction was needed.

Forget the rebuilding, the talent gap, the future, and yes, forget about what the new-and-improved Wrigley Field might look like for a moment. Two weeks into the 2013 season the Cubs have given new meaning to giving away games.

Getting beat soundly by a more talented team is one thing, but making stupid and silly mistakes to lose games is a whole other. Especially so recently removed from spring training. Really, Scott Feldman? Covering first base wasn't drilled enough in February and March?

And consider this: After 12 games the Cubs have combined to score and give up a total 15 runs in the ninth inning already. That's by far the most in the league and might be a reason alone to extend those beer sales the Cubs are planning on doing after stadium renovation is complete. Something has to get fans through those blown saves. Four different pitchers already have the dubious honor of owning one.

At the top of the list has to be Sunday's finish. One strike away from a pretty good win over the San Francisco Giants, Shawn Camp gave up a home run to Hunter Pence to tie the game 7-7. Balking in the go-ahead run the next inning was just icing on the cake. Add throwing five wild pitches in an inning while walking four batters -- as the Cubs did in the sixth -- and you have what a Hollywood script might look like. But this is Cub reality right now. A horror show for sure.

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It’s becoming a trend for the Chicago Cubs. A left-handed starter takes the mound against them, and they produce little on offense.

This time, it was San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner who shut them down for six innings before finally giving in to pinch-hitter Dioner Navarro in the Cubs' 3-2 defeat on Saturday.

Navarro homered, but it’s the starting nine that needs help. It’s the third time this season the Cubs have been nearly shut out by a southpaw. The starting group -- consisting of at least seven right-handed hitters -- has produced exactly one run in those three games.

“You also have to look at who we faced,” Scott Hairston said after the game. “Those guys are known to have really good stuff.”

Wandy Rodriguez of Pittsburgh, Mike Minor of Atlanta and now Bumgarner do have good stuff, but one run combined against them? In three games?

Maybe manager Dale Sveum needs to stay with his regular core instead of loading up on the righties.

“These guys are on the team for a reason,” Sveum said of Scott Hairston and others. “Everybody has their role, and right now, Hairston is going to play against lefties, [Dave] Sappelt is going to play against lefties. We’re going to put the best lineup out there to be able to slug and do things.”

Add Brent Lillibridge to the list that starts against left-handers as well. The Cubs are hitting .200 against them, with an on-base percentage of .259, which rank 11th and 12th in the National League, respectively.

Sveum often mentions slugging percentage in explaining why he sits the lefties against lefty pitchers. Sappelt and Hairston, in particular, do have better percentages than those they play in favor of.

But is it the right move to sit the second-leading hitter -- Nate Schierholtz -- on a weak hitting team or a hot hitter in David DeJesus? DeJesus homered and had three hits just the day before.

“These [lefty pitchers] are the type of guys you have to pop a three run home run to beat them,” Sveum said in explaining his righty lineup. “It makes the pitcher work that much harder when runners are in scoring position.”

But only if those righties do something with their chances. It’s a small sample size, but Sappelt is hitting .071, Hairston .100 and Lillibridge .042.

“Everybody tries to do an adjustment, especially with a lefty,” Starlin Castro said. “Every right-hander [thinks] it’s easy to hit left-handers, but it’s not.”

Sveum lamented the chances the righties had early in the game.

“We have a chance to take the lead a couple times before they scored, which changes the game around,” he said. “We didn’t put the ball in play when guys were in scoring position.”

Yet Sveum vows to stick with his right-handed lineup against the southpaws. He might need to re-think that strategy.

Quotable:

“Major league players need to make those plays. That’s the bottom line.”
-Sveum, on recent defensive miscues

“That’s two games in a row. That’s unacceptable. That’s on me.”
-Jeff Samardzija, on walking the opposing pitcher in each of his past two starts.

CHICAGO -- From goat to hero.

That's how Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro feels after winning Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants with a walk-off double scoring David DeJesus to break a 3-3 tie in the ninth. It was just the day before Castro struck out with the tying run on second after making a critical error earlier in the game.

"That's the part I love about this game," Castro said. "Every day is a new day. You can be a hero."

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CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at the Cubs' 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Friday:

How it Happened: After a stellar 7.1 innings by Carlos Villanueva, the Cubs looked poised to even the series. But once again, the Cubs' bullpen blew it, and Carlos Marmol wasn't to blame this time. Kyuji Fujikawa inherited a 2-0 lead to start the ninth, and he proceeded to yield three hits and three runs. But Starlin Castro, who homered earlier in the game, lifted an RBI hit in the bottom of the ninth to drive in David DeJesus with the winning run. DeJesus is 7-15 in his last three games, with three doubles and one homer.

What it Means: In lowering his ERA to 0.64 Villanueva is showing he belongs in the rotation. He got 11 ground outs by keeping the ball down on a day where the wind was blowing straight out. It's early but Villanueva is proving to be a nice pick up.

Under the Radar: Steve Clevenger made the first start of his career at third base but didn't touch the ball until the sixth inning, then he made three plays in a row including one on a slow roller by Buster Posey. Anthony Rizzo struck out his first three times up and fourth in a row overall going back to Thursday's ninth inning, before he lined out in the 7th inning on Friday.

What's Next: The four-game series continues on Saturday with Jeff Samardzija on the mound for the Cubs. Game time is 12 CT.

CHICAGO -- This was supposed to be the year Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro would put everything together and become a complete player.

Castro has gotten off to a rough start after nine games. He committed his third error of the season on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants, and it led to four unearned runs in a 7-6 loss. Striking out in the ninth with the tying run on second -- on a pitch way outside -- capped his awful day.

"I feel bad," Castro said of the error. "That's a play I have to make. That's a routine play with the pitcher running."

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CHICAGO -- Although nine games is just a sample size of the 162-game schedule, the Chicago Cubs appear to have some work to do on defense. After a 7-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, the Cubs have committed 10 errors, the most in baseball.

An over-aggressive play by shortstop Starlin Castro and two late breaks to first base by pitcher Scott Feldman led to four unearned runs in the fourth inning when the Cubs led 5-0.

"You have to be relaxed," Castro said. "Sometimes I try to be too quick. This was really frustrating because that is a routine play and is not supposed to happen."

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Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro, who led the National League in hits in 2011, may be poised to challenge for the NL batting title as the 23-year-old is working on a new approach he adopted at the beginning of spring training.

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CHICAGO -- There are seven basic plot types for a story, but only two kinds for the Chicago Cubs: Ones about failure and ones about hope.

When it comes to the Cubs, it’s all about the past we’ll never forget, the present we can’t stomach and the future we’ll never see.

Under the Ricketts regime, the present has been execrable. But a blissful future is always an outfield sign and a minor leaguer away.

All the talk about patience and commitment and foundation for sustained success have filtered into the brains of the most devoted Cubs fans. It’s not a bad thing to be patient, and it’s not a good thing to be angry about a perennially lousy baseball team.

But don’t tell Cubs president Theo Epstein he doesn’t care about winning this season.

As part of the public demands of his job, he has to sell hope and patience. He does it well, with charm and an earned baseball sophistication.

He’ll tell you that winning and building are intertwined, and it’s true. But it doesn’t feel good for him to answer questions about dealing with a wasted season before it’s even began. Because for Epstein, the owner of two World Series rings, baseball is better when you win.

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ATLANTA -- Chicago Cubs pitcher Jeff Samardzija has seen former teammate Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout performance from 1998 “about a hundred times” in the Cubs clubhouse but wasn’t thinking about that number on Sunday afternoon, though he was well on his way to matching it.

Samardzija struck out 13 in less than six innings of work, yet lost the game to the Atlanta Braves, 5-1.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Samardzija said after the game. “You strike guys out like that, your pitch count gets up.”

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