NewsHeilman at home in Chicago
Chicago (5-2) vs. Colorado (3-4), Wed., 1:20 p.m. CT
Aaron Heilman lives in the Chicago suburbs during the offseason. (Chris McGrath/Getty)
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
04/13/09 9:21 PM ET
CHICAGO -- For most of the Cubs players, this week is a chance to finally see their home away from home. They can unpack, make sure the cable TV is connected, the electricity is on, parking is available. For Aaron Heilman, coming home means just that -- he's home. Heilman, one of the Cubs' relievers, lives in the Chicago suburbs in the offseason. Because the team arrived late Sunday night from Milwaukee, he stayed in a downtown hotel so he could get to Wrigley Field in time for Monday's home opener against the Rockies. He will finally get to sleep in his own bed Monday night. "I'm certainly looking forward to it," Heilman said about being home. "It'll be a unique experience for me. There are very few times in your career when you get to play at home and live at home and make your home clubhouse the same as your home. I'm looking forward to it." The other Cubs players will have Tuesday to get settled. On Wednesday, it'll be back to work when Rich Harden faces former Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis in the series finale of this brief, two-game series. "We'll see who did their homework," Chicago's Reed Johnson said about facing Marquis. "We've seen situations where it can go both ways. I know he'll be coming out gunning to try to throw his best game, and we'll do what we do as a team, which is try to go out and win every ballgame. I got to see him today and talk to him today, and I know he's excited to be back. We'll see how things go."The players on both teams will honor Jackie Robinson Wednesday, with all uniformed personnel wearing No. 42.
On Monday, Heilman was called on to pitch the eighth and help preserve the win for Ted Lilly. Heilman got the first batter to ground out, then walked Chris Iannetta. He fell behind, 2-0, to pinch-hitter Ian Stewart, which prompted a visit from Lou Piniella.
"I told him he's got good stuff, trust it," Piniella said. "Go after the hitters. Be aggressive. Good things will happen for you. That was the message. I mean it. He's got a good arm, nice sink on the ball, a good little changeup, breaking ball. Throw it over the plate and make the other team hit it."
It's still early.
"There's some work to be done here with this team, believe me," Piniella said. "The start -- we're very happy with our 5-2 record. Guys are playing hard, and good things are happening."
One other thing Heilman will have to adjust to is traffic. Add one more driver to the Chicago area's morning commute.
"Traffic's not that bad," Heilman said. "It'll be like a normal commute for everyone else who works downtown. It's a small price to pay to be able to go home and be in your own house and not in someplace you're renting for six months. For me, I don't mind driving. It's not that big of a deal." Several of the players have their wives or girlfriends arrive early to handle the little details. Heilman can simply turn the key in the door, and he's home. "All of that's set up," he said. "I don't have to look for an apartment or make sure parking is there. All the hard stuff is done. All I have to do is go home and relax and sleep in my own bed." What a nice thought. Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Rich Harden (0-0, 1.50 ERA)
Harden recorded his eighth career 10-strikeout game in his last start against the Brewers but did not get a decision. He was in line for the win, but Milwaukee rallied in the ninth. Harden gave up three hits over six innings and looked strong. The radar gun at Miller Park was registering mid 90s consistently with his pitches. He was 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA in 15 games at home last season. Harden has never faced the Rockies. COL: RHP Jason Marquis (1-0, 2.57 ERA)
The opponent will be familiar. Marquis pitched for the Cubs in 2007-08 and went 23-18 in 63 games before the Rockies acquired him for right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino. Marquis certainly earned the favor of his home fans Friday, when he held the Phillies to two runs on five hits in seven innings of the home opener, a 9-2 victory. A sinkerball pitcher, Marquis stayed low in the strike zone and forced 13 groundouts, which included three double plays. Tidbits
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez (back) is expected back in the lineup Wednesday along with catcher Geovany Soto (shoulder). Milton Bradley's status is more uncertain. He had to come out of Sunday's game because of a strained groin. ... With Monday's opener against the Rockies, the only National League franchise the Cubs have not faced for their home opener is Arizona. ... Actor Michael J. Fox will lead the crowd in the seventh-inning stretch on Wednesday, and former Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito will do the honors Thursday. Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould is scheduled to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on Friday. ... Randy Wells gave up two runs on five hits over five innings in Triple-A Iowa's 6-3 win over Round Rock on Sunday. Brad Snyder hit a tie-breaking two-out grand slam in the seventh. ... The Cubs' win on Monday marked the first time they've won the home opener since April 7, 2006. It's their first home opener shutout since blanking the Pirates, 6-0, on April 15, 1988. ... Johnson was hit by a pitch in the third, the second time this season and 94th time in his career. Since 2003, his 94 hit-by-pitches ranks third in the Majors behind Jason Kendall and Jason Giambi. ... Alfonso Soriano has hit safely in six of the Cubs' first seven games. Tickets
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• Thursday: Cubs (Sean Marshall, 0-0, 0.00) vs. Cardinals (Adam Wainwright, 1-0, 1.74), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Friday: Cubs (Carlos Zambrano, 1-0, 3.00) vs. Cardinals (Kyle Lohse, 2-0, 1.13), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Saturday: Cubs (TBD) vs. Cardinals (TBD), 2:40 p.m. CT
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
