Sveum tabs Wood as Cubs' first-half MVP

CHICAGO -- Who's the Cubs' first-half Most Valuable Player? Manager Dale Sveum picked All-Star left-hander Travis Wood.

"To have basically every start a quality start but one, and that was iffy itself, he's definitely our MVP," Sveum said.

Wood will start Sunday night in the Cubs' first-half finale against the Cardinals. Sveum has talked to National League manager Bruce Bochy, and said it's up to the Giants' manager as to whether he uses Wood in Tuesday's All-Star Game at Citi Field.

"I'll let Bochy know it's OK with us if [Wood] pitches one inning or he wants him to get a left-hander out, whatever he wants to do with him," Sveum said.

Wood leads the Major Leagues with 17 quality starts in his 18 games. This will be his first All-Star Game.