Game Twenty-Two: Cubs (13-8) vs. Brewers (12-11)
Game Time – 1:20pm C.T. on WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 185
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Glendon Rusch (1-3, 6.41) vs. Doug Davis (0-2, 7.66)
The Cubs battle the Brewers today on draft day, so while many young men throughout the country become instant millionaires the question from the Northside of Chicago is….will this be the last start of the season for Glendon Rusch? Rusch has not performed well all season….Spring Training or regular season….and management has shown they are not willing to stick with a guy that is not helping his team win. With the recent demotions of Michael Wuertz and Jerome Williams, the Cubs have shown losing is not going to be tolerated….no matter who is not in the everyday lineup. The Cubs played with a confidence on Friday….well they had not played with since the last Sunday when Maddux was on the hill against the Cardinals. So what made the difference? It is called trust….when the players know they can depend on the starting pitcher to give them everything they need to win the ballgame….they can relax and just play. Is this right? Of course not….but welcome to professional sports. Trust and team play puts wins on the board, just as much as talent….
The Cubs’ offense showed what it is capable of on Friday and must continue what they started. Saturday is a big game for the Cubs….not just because it is the Brewers, because consistency is the key to victory and while the Cubs are 13-8, a long winning streak will build confidence on a team seeking the Central Division Championship.
Both Jacque Jones and Aramis Ramirez had a good game on Friday and they must build on that and continue hitting the ball hard against the weak defense that the Brewers put on the field on a daily basis. Juan Pierre was on base twice on Friday and scored both times….and obviously he is what makes the Cubs offense go. Cedeno and Walker went 5 for 7 on Friday to end their mini-slump against the Marlins. The Cubs must show patience today against Doug Davis who walked nine Cincinnati Reds on his last start April 23rd.
The key to the game today is Glendon Rusch, the Cubs have looked like a different team every time he has taken the hill this season and Rusch must keep the explosive Brewers offense from putting the game away early. Rusch has allowed 7 home runs in 4 starts and Carlos Lee is 4 for 5 lifetime against Rusch with a home run and a double. The young Brewers will be looking to take their left over frustrations from Friday out on Rusch today. Rusch needs to go at least 7 innings today and leave the game with the Cubs in the lead….now will he be able to deliver that kind of performance….only ‘Glooroo’ knows for sure.
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….