Game Fifty-Two: Cubs (20-31) vs. Reds (28-24)
Game Time – 7:05pm C.T. WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 188
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Carlos Zambrano (3-2, 3.45) vs. Eric Milton (2-2, 5.52)
The Cubs will go for their first series sweep since opening weekend against the Cardinals when Carlos Zambrano takes the hill tonight against the struggling Cincinnati Reds and Eric Milton. The Reds, after dropping the first two of the series, have lost their last 12 out of 17 and their league worst defense has plagued them over the first two games of the series. The Cubs offense has recorded at least 10 hits in their last 6 games and is hitting .327 (72-220) while scoring 36 runs over than span. This is a rematch of a game back on April 13th in Chicago. The Cubs look to end their horrendous May on a winning note and Carlos Zambrano is one of a few Cubs to have a good month. Zambrano is 3-0 in 5 starts over the last month with a 1.72 ERA. The Cubs bullpen was not able to hold the win his last time out and he even had a no hit bid into the 7th inning, although he walked 6 in that game against the Braves last Friday. Zambrano only gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and struck out 8. Zambrano is second in the Majors behind Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana (both have 80) with 79 strikeouts.
Eric Milton has not been consistent this season for the Reds although he had a dominating performance last Friday against the Diamondbacks. Milton lost the game but held the Diamondbacks to 1 run on 3 hits and struck out 9. Milton missed some time on the DL (April 19 – May 20) and in his 5 starts this season, Milton has only given up more than 2 earned runs twice and in 31 innings this season he has struck out 24 while only walking 8. The Cubs have struggled all season against left handed pitching and hopefully Tuesday’s win will give them some confidence in that area. Milton is 2-1 in 9 career games against the Cubs with a 6.28 ERA and beat the Cubs on April 13th at Wrigley. Milton gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 2/3 innings of work and out pitched Carlos Zambrano.
Just keep on hitting and let all of the Cubs Faithful use their brooms for the second time this season. A sweep of the Reds would be a great way to head into the day off before a 10-game road trip that starts in St. Louis on Friday.
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….