Hot Pads host slumping Cubs

They say all good things come to an end. And that could very well happen to the Friars' five-game winning streak with a return to the "Litter Box" (Petco Park) this weekend. Fortunately for Padre pitchers, the suddenly inept Chicago Cubs bring their anemic Derrek Lee-less offense to town. Since the first baseman went down with a broken wrist, the Cubbies are averaging under three runs per game and have been shut out in three of their past five games. That's good news for starters Chan Ho Park, Jake Peavy , Woody Williams and Chris Young, who will toe the rubber for the Pads in the four games. Now hopefully the bats can remain hot for fantasy leaguers off the recent four-game road sweep at San Francisco and LA.

Pads-Cubs Preview (May 5-8 at Petco Park)

FRI., 5/5 -- CHC: Carlos Zambrano, RHP (0-2, 5.35 ERA, 1.72 WHIP) at Park, RHP (1-1, 5.34/1.42)

Key matchups: Zambrano is 4-0 with a 2.67 ERA in five starts against the Padres. Vinny Castilla (.178, 2 RBI) has been struggling mightily at home, but is 7-for-15 lifetime against Zambrano.

SAT., 5/6 -- CHC: Sean Marshall, LHP (2-0, 3.45/0.87)at Peavy, RHP (2-3, 4.58/1.19)

SUN., 5/7 -- CHC: Angel Guzman, RHP (0-1, 5.91/1.78) at Williams, RHP (2-1, 3.06/1.18)

MON., 5/8 -- CHC: Greg Maddux, RHP (5-1, 2.35/1.02) at Young, RHP (2-2, 3.53/1.07)

Key matchups: Maddux is 23-14 with a 2.97 ERA in 41 career starts against the Padres. Castilla is 13-for-43 with 3 HR versus the veteran right-hander. Brian Giles is 9-for-25 with 3 doubles and Mike Piazza (.254) has 4 HR.

SLUMPING GONZALEZ SITS... Adrian Gonzalez, his average at .232 after a hot start, gave way to Mark Bellhorn at first on Thursday for the second straight night. Hitting coach Dave Magadan is confident that Gonzalez will regain his stroke, that this is merely a temporary detour for the first baseman who turns 24 on Monday.

INJURY NOTES: HENSLEY HIT WITH BROKEN BAT... A wayward broken bat barrel struck Clay Hensley in the back of the head in the second on Thursday, but the woozy Texan still went six innings and notched his first scoreless outing in five career starts. He received a no-decision in the 3-0 win, as the Friars didn't score until the eighth. Padres trainers initially advised Hensley, who later required four stitches, against continuing. But he retired 10 of the next 11 hitters. He should be fine for his next scheduled start on Tuesday at home against the Brewers. ... Sidelined since early April with a strained left elbow, Shawn Estes threw a baseball, 30 times, from 60 feet at Dodger Stadium on Thursday afternoon. It was the first step in a process that he hopes will have him back on the mound, pitching with meaning, before too long.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to e-mail me at dmfilip@hotmail.com.