NewsDempsters both embrace challenges
Chicago (13-11) vs. San Francisco (12-11), 7:05 p.m. CT
Ryan Dempster is a combined 5-1 in April starts since 2008. (Paul Beaty/AP)
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
05/03/09 7:39 PM ET
CHICAGO -- If Ryan Dempster didn't have to be on the mound on Monday night, he'd probably be riding his bike with his brother, who is preparing to undertake a monumental ride for a good cause. Dempster will instead help the Cubs open a brief two-game series against the San Francisco Giants. Dempster, coming off a loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, has notched one win in 2009, back on April 12 against Milwaukee. He has pitched six innings in each of his starts, but the team is 2-3 in his outings, and he's thrown just two quality starts. The right-hander often rides his bike to the ballpark and along the lakefront in Chicago, but his brother, Chris, will soon be undertaking a little longer ride. Chris Dempster is teaming with Tim Bowen-Roberts on a 6,680-kilometer bike ride across Canada to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House in British Columbia, Canada. The "Crossing Canada for Kids" tour begins May 20 when the pair leave Halifax, and they plan on finishing in Vancouver 81 days later on Aug. 9. The pair have stops planned in Quebec, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Calgary. Chris, 26, who has been training to be a fire fighter, was volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver and decided to go the next step -- or kilometer, in this case -- to raise funds. The Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit organization designed to assist children with life-threatening diseases. Bowen-Roberts and Chris Dempster have helped at the house, playing with the kids and providing emotional support for their families. The house relies on community support, which sparked the bike ride. There will be no support vehicles for the pair, who will travel from east to west across southern Canada. Their goal is to raise more than $100,000. Donors will receive a tax receipt and 100 percent of the gross proceeds will go directly to the Ronald McDonald House. A $12 donation can support a family staying one night at the house, while $350 will help pay for a one-month stay. Donations can be made by visiting their Web site, crossingcanadaforkids.com. Ryan Dempster will be riding with them in spirit. He's got some work to do with the Cubs. Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Ryan Dempster (1-1, 5.40 ERA)
In his last start on Wednesday in Arizona, Dempster bid farewell to his perfect April record (5-0) since rejoining the rotation last season. But he actually pitched exceptionally well after a rough first inning, holding the D-backs to three hits in his last five frames. SF: LHP Jonathan Sanchez (1-1, 2.60 ERA)
Sanchez allowed no earned runs and just three hits in his most recent start on Tuesday, which normally would be a good sign. But he lasted only five innings and settled for a no-decision against the Dodgers, due partly to his teammates' misadventures in the field and on the bases. This will be Sanchez's first career start at Wrigley Field, where he has appeared only once in relief. Tidbits
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez could be back in the lineup on Monday. He has not started since April 24 because of a strained left calf. When he does return, Lou Piniella hinted he may tweak the 3-4-5 combo and keep Kosuke Fukudome in the No. 3 spot. ... On Monday, the Cubs will face a lefty starter for only the fourth time this season. ... Edgar Renteria is 6-for-19 (.319) against Dempster. ... It's early, but let's look at some road numbers: Derrek Lee has a .108 batting average on the road, with no homers, two doubles and five RBIs. Alfonso Soriano is hitting .269 on the road with six homers and 12 RBIs. Mike Fontenot is batting .295 with three homers and nine RBIs. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Cubs (Sean Marshall, 0-1, 3.32) vs. Giants (Tim Lincecum, 2-1, 3.16), 1:20 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: Cubs (Rich Harden, 2-1, 5.11) at Astros (Mike Hampton, 1-2, 4.88), 7:05 p.m. CT
• Thursday: Cubs (Ted Lilly, 3-2, 3.13) at Astros (Russ Ortiz, 2-0, 5.30), 7:05 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.
