Game Ninety-Three: Cubs (41-51) vs. Phillies (48-42)
Game Time - 7:05pm CDT
Coverage - TV: ESPN Sunday Night Baseball - Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 184
Location - Wrigley Field, Chicago
Tom Gorzelanny (4-5, 3.16/1.41) vs. Roy Halladay (10-7, 2.19/1.05)
How will the Chicago Cubs respond to Saturday's loss in the ninth inning? The Cubs let one slip away and should be playing for the sweep tonight ... instead of the series. The Cubs feel they are still in the race for a playoff spot but until they reach and pass .500 it is a case of all talk and no action.
Lou Piniella's crew enters play tonight 3-2 versus the Phillies this season. If they can beat Philadelphia tonight it will be the first time they've won a season series against the Phils since 2001 and the first series win against the Fightins at Wrigley in six years (2004).
For the second time this year, Lou's offense will face a starting pitcher that has thrown a perfect game this season ... and the third starter that has thrown a no-hitter. First was Dallas Braden back on June 17, then Edwin Jackson on July 7 ... and tonight the Cubs will face one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, Roy Halladay.
From the Rumor Mill
According to multiple reports, Jim Hendry is listening to offers for players but has yet to commit on pulling the plug on the season. Many feel that when (or if) Ted Lilly is traded that will signify the Cubs realize the season is over and time to plan for next year ... and beyond.
Bruce Levine mentioned there were four scouts watching Ted Lilly's outing Friday afternoon. The Mets, Tigers, Twins and Dodgers are still interested in trading for Lilly ... but the Mets could have cooled in recent days. Levine feels Lilly is the best available southpaw on the trading block ... if he is indeed being shopped.
Levine also mentioned the Rangers are still interested in Xavier Nady ... and Ryan Theriot is still on the Tigers list.
Tonight it all begins with Tom Gorzelanny ... and winning a ballgame.
Tom Gorzelanny is coming off back-to-back wins ... one not so good against the Diamondbacks and one very good versus the Dodgers. Gorzelanny tossed six innings in Los Angeles and allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits. Gorzelanny picked up the Cubs only win of the series. He walked one and struck out seven.
Gorzelanny is 2-0 in his last two outings with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.
Gorzelanny must cut down on his walks tonight. His strikeout to walk ratio is not where it needs to be and the free passes have hurt Gorzelanny this season.
While Gorzelanny is coming off two consecutive victories, he has not posted a win at Wrigley since May 2 ... 1-3 in eight games, six starts, at Wrigley this season with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP.
One of Gorzelanny's four wins this season came at the expense of the Phillies back on May 19. Gorzelanny was on cruise control until Carlos Ruiz hit one up the middle and knocked him out of the game with two outs in the seventh. Gorzelanny did not allow a run on that spring evening in Philadelphia and surrendered only three hits (two walks and five strikeouts).
Gorzelanny is 1-1 in two career starts versus the Phillies with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.
Phillies Career Numbers against Tom Gorzelanny
- Ryan Howard - 1-for-6
- Raul Ibanez - 2-for-6 with a double
- Placido Polanco - 1-for-6
- Jimmy Rollins - 3-for-6 with 2 doubles
- Carlos Ruiz - 0-for-2
- Brian Schneider - 0-for-5
- Wilson Valdez - 0-for-2
- Shane Victorino - 0-for-2 with a walk
- Jayson Werth - 2-for-6
The Cubs will face one of the best in the business tonight in Roy Halladay. Holladay is coming off back-to-back complete games and if not for the gem thrown by Travis Wood, Halladay would have posted two wins.
Halladay did not allow a run against the Reds in his last start and surrendered just five hits with a walk and nine strikeouts.
Roy Halladay is 1-0 in his last two starts with a 0.50 ERA and a 0.67 WHIP ... one earned run in 18 innings on 10 hits with two walks and 16 strikeouts.
Halladay is 4-3 in eight road starts this year with four of his seven complete games ... 2.64 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.
The Cubs have had success in the past against Holladay and tonight will be his second career start at Wrigley Field. Halladay is 0-2 in two games versus the Cubs with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP ... at Wrigley, 0-1 with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP (two runs on seven hits in seven innings with no walks and five strikeouts). The Cubs beat Halladay in Toronto back on June 14, 2008. Reed Johnson had a big part in beating his former teammate that afternoon.
Cubs Career Numbers against Roy Halladay
- Marlon Byrd - 5-for-13 with 2 doubles and a triple
- Mike Fontenot - 1-for-3
- Kosuke Fukudome - 0-for-3
- Derrek Lee - 3-for-5 with a double, a triple and a walk
- Xavier Nady - 4-for-13 with a double
- Aramis Ramirez - 2-for-10
- Alfonso Soriano - 13-for-54 with 3 doubles and a home run
Ryan Theriot and Randy Wells are hosting a benefit for the Children's Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, August 4 at Joe's Bar. The CCO was asked to pass along the info on the event. For those interested, click on this link to Ticketmaster.
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