Spring Training Game Eighteen: Cubs (8-8-1) vs. Angels (ss) (12-7)
Game Time - 3:05pm C.T. - Comcast SportsNet, WGN Radio, XM Radio (n/a)
Location - Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe
Carlos Zambrano (1-0, 2.00) vs. John Lackey (1-0, 1.42)
Carlos Zambrano will face a split squad of Angels and make his second start of the spring against the Halos. Zambrano started the game on March 2nd against the Angels and was masterful in his first outing of the spring. Zambrano was the last Cub starter to walk more than 2 in an outing (3) against Oakland on March 7th. Zambrano walked just 2 and struck out 5 in his 4 innings of work against the Giants his last time out. Zambrano was not happy with his pitch count after the ballgame and today the Cubs should have their ace throw at least 5 innings.
Zambrano will not hit today as the Cubs are playing in an American League park with the DH and Cliff Floyd should be the Cubs designated hitter. Considering they saw their ace take a tumble in his last game running the bases, it is probably a positive that he will not be able to step to the plate today.
Zambrano has had a good spring and in 9 innings (3 games) he has surrendered just 4 runs, 2 earned, on 6 hits with a 1.22 WHIP. His 5 walks though ties him for the club lead with Mark Prior but his 12 strikeouts leads the staff (Rock Cherry, 11 and Rich Hill, 10). Other pitchers scheduled to throw today include Scott Eyre, Rocky Cherry, Roberto Novoa, Michael Wuertz, Ryan O'Malley and Carmen Pignatiello.
The Cubs will face John Lackey who has allowed just 1 earned run in 6 1/3 innings this spring; he has struck out 10 and walked just 1 with 1.42 WHIP.
Notes on the pitching staff 17 games in....
Starters: 4-2, 4.11 ERA, 15 walks, 39 k's, 4 home runs, 63 hits in 50 1/3 innings
Relievers: 4-6, 6.21 ERA, 43 walks, 72 k's, 16 home runs, 126 hits in 100 innings
Staff: 8-8, 5.51 ERA, 57 walks, 111 k's, 20 home runs, 186 hits in 150 1/3 innings
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