Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Brewers – 06/26/06

Greg Maddux (7-7, 4.83) vs. Chris Capuano (8-4, 3.33)

The Cubs face another left-hander and one that has already shutout them out this season. Chris Capuano shut out the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano back on April 30th; Capuano threw a complete game, his only one to this point of the season. After a rough May (1-2, 4.38) Capuano has gotten back on track and is 3-0 with a 3.33 ERA in 4 starts this month, including defeating the Tigers last Wednesday. Capuano has allowed 10 runs on 28 hits in 27 innings in his last 4 starts and his over 6 to 1 ratio strikeouts to walks (31-5) is very impressive. Will the Cubs be able to score any runs against Capuano? After the Cubs left Cleveland they forgot how to plate runs. In the 3-game series with the Twins the horrendous Cubs scored 3 runs and they had plenty of opportunities. The Cubs actually scored more runs with Johan Santana on the mound than with either Boof Bonser or Brad Radke. Capuano is 5-2 with a 5.20 ERA in his career against the Cubs.

After a rough 1st inning against the Indians last Tuesday, Maddux settled down and allowed only 1 other run in his 7 1/3 innings of work. Maddux has pitched better in his last 4 starts (1-3, 6.20) than in the month of May (1-4, 7.29) but not anywhere close to the way he pitched in April. Maddux needs to rebound and help his club end their current 3-game losing streak/

Will Dusty play Phil Nevin in left or will he figure out a way to play Neifi in the outfield as well? The Cubs season is done, it is time they play for pride and it would be nice to see the September call-ups start happening now. See what the likes of Ryan Theriot and Michael Restovich can do, if they stick fine, if not move them on. The philosophy the Cubs have been using since that October nearly three years ago has not worked, time to find a new book to read from.

Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….Also feel free to discuss whatever topic you guys wish…but please keep it clean and remember we are all on the same side….