4/15 Cubs vs. Westbrook

Cubs manager Dale Sveum rested some of the regulars and started Reed Johnson, Blake DeWitt, Jeff Baker and Joe Mather on Sunday in the series finale against the Cardinals. Part of the reason is to give the players at-bats before they face lefty Mark Buehrle in the upcoming series in Miami. This way, Alfonso Soriano gets two days off — the Cubs have Monday off — to rest and stay fresh. Sveum said right-handed hitters also seem to have an edge against Cardinals pitcher Jake Westbrook. In his career, left-handed batters have a .275 average against Westbook compared to .278 by right-handed hitters. There isn’t much difference in those numbers but last year, lefties hit .260 while right-handers batted .316 off the Cardinals pitcher.

– Carrie Muskat