9/15 Cubs open final homestand

The Cubs open their final homestand of the 2011 season on Friday when they play host to the Astros for three games. The Cubs also play host to the Brewers Monday through Wednesday. So far this season, the Cubs are 35-40 at home.

“I’ll probably take a few minutes during that homestand,” Mike Quade said. “Right now, I haven’t thought much about it in preparation for Houston. The last homestand, Opening Day, those things always matter a great deal. No matter what a season has amounted to or where it’s at, when it winds down, for me, whether it’s Chicago, Des Moines, you take a deep breath and go, ‘My God, we started this seven, eight months ago and here we are.’ There are times when it seems to fly by and times when you think it won’t come. It’ll be special to finish up at Wrigley Field.”

* Here are the pitching probables vs. the Astros:

Friday: Matt Garza (8-10, 3.54) vs. Wandy Rodriguez (11-10, 3.51)
Saturday: Rodrigo Lopez (5-6, 5.04) vs. Henry Sosa (2-4, 5.02)
Sunday: Ryan Dempster (10-12, 4.66) vs. Brett Myers (5-13, 4.52)

– Carrie Muskat