Saturday Likely Ryan Dempster’s Final Home Start With Cubs

All indications are Ryan Dempster will be traded sooner than later.

If Dale Sveum sticks to his current starting rotation, Dempster’s outing tomorrow afternoon will be his last as a Cub at Wrigley Field.

Unless Dempster suffers an injury or is bombed by the Diamondbacks, which seems unlikely given his 27.0 scoreless innings streak, he’s sure to be dealt before his next scheduled home start on Wednesday, July 31–which also happens to be the non-waiver trade deadline.

The feeling, of course, is Dempster will be traded long before the last week in July meaning his following two starts with the Cubs are scheduled road contests at St. Louis & Pittsburgh.

Even if the Cubs wait until the last minute to deal Dempster, there’s no chance he’s pitching for the Cubs on the 31st.

However, two scenarios exist that could alter Sveum’s starting rotation and give Dempster one more home start in addition to Saturday’s outing.

1. An injury to another member of the starting rotation.
2. Sveum using Monday’s scheduled off day to keep Dempster on his regular four-days rest.

Whichever one were to happen, Dempster would potentially pitch at home next Thursday afternoon against the Marlins, or on Sunday July, 29 vs. the Cardinals.

The better bet, however, is Dempster won’t be a Cub long enough for either case to play out.

So if you’re a Dempster fan (and how could you not be?) you best be at Wrigley Field or tuned in to the television on Saturday (3:05pm CST) to witness Dempster’s last home start with the Cubs.

DEMPSTER’S SCHEDULE ON CURRENT STARTING ROTATION

July 14	ARIZONA
July 20	@ St. Louis
July 25	@ Pittsburgh
July 31	PITTSBURGH

 

DEMPSTER’S SCHEDULE ON ALTERED STARTING ROTATION

July 14	ARIZONA
July 19	MIAMI
July 24	@ Pittsburgh
July 29	ST. LOUIS