In a word: Sweep. In reality: Cubs take two of three.

Jake Peavy and Rich Harden kick off a three-game set at Wrigley on Tuesday night. The battle of stud pitchers is the best shot the Padres have to pick up a win in the series. They play ‘em for a reason, but the odds are most in their favor with Peavy on the mound.

Of course, Harden is nasty and could shut down any offense, especially the anemic Friars. It will be power against power, but Harden does it with two pitches and Peavy with five. It will be fun to watch two of the game’s best go at it. If the Cubs can get Peavy out and the Padre bullpen in before the 7th inning, a sweep could be revving up.

Padre Problems

San Diego is 13-19, but just 5-13 away from Petco. Their offense is one of the weakest in the National League, and they’ve got one of the worst pitching staffs in the league, too. While their fielding percentage isn’t bad, a better indication of team defense is their efficiency rating, also one of the worst in the league.

With Brian Giles struggling, Adrian Gonzalez is the only productive player in the lineup every day. Scott Hairston has been solid in a platoon role, but the rest of the team has been a joke at the plate. And some smart folks are calling for Bud Black’s head. This is a team in serious trouble. Delicious.

After the fancy pitching matchup on Tuesday, things move more into the Cubs’ favor. Ted Lilly, coming off a solid road start, has been unbeatable at home. He’ll face Princeton grad Chris Young.  He’s 6′11″ and sloooow toooo theeeeeee plaaaaaaate. Young makes Greg Maddux look like a wizard at holding runners. If the Cubs don’t run wild in Game 2, I’ll be disappointed.

Game 3, oh my, can’t wait for Thursday. Chad Gaudin’s rebound off the dumpster has gone from curb to doghouse to free agency to AAA to the Padres rotation. He’ll face Randy Wells, who amounts to his replacement in Chicago. Karma, man, karma.