Starters dominate in Daytona Cubs' title run

CINCINNATI -- On the same Monday night Travis Wood blanked the Reds for seven innings in Cincinnati, right-hander C.J. Edwards and Class A Daytona beat Charlotte, 4-0, for the Florida State League Championship.

Wilson -- the Cubs' No. 11 prospect, according to MLB.com -- and Ryan Searle combined for a one-hitter, marking the second time in the postseason they worked a shutout together. The win also capped a playoff run in which Daytona's starting pitchers did not allow a run in 33 innings.

After watching the 26-year-old Wood show why he's been the Cubs' best pitcher all season, manager Dale Sveum said he's encouraged by what he's seen from the organization's young hurlers.

"I'm looking forward to [future pitching] a lot more than I was a year ago at this time, not to be too brash about it," Sveum said. "But I mean, the trades we've made and the guys we've got in return and a few of the guys we got in the Draft the last few years, they're obviously pitching well."

Edwards joined the Cubs as part of the trade that sent Matt Garza to the Rangers. In 24 starts -- six for Daytona following the trade -- the 22-year-old went 8-2 with a 1.86 ERA this season. Pierce Johnson also had a strong showing for Daytona this season, going 6-1 with a 2.22 ERA in eight starts and two extended relief appearances.

For Daytona, Monday marked the second FSL title in the last two years and third in the last six. Although Minor League championships don't guarantee future Major League success, Sveum said he was pleased to hear about what Daytona was able to accomplish.

"It matters a lot to have a lot of winning teams down there in the Minor Leagues and be in the playoffs. There just tends to be an attitude where guys expect to win and they've been a part of winning and they don't like the taste of losing."