Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Brewers – 06/29/06

Mark Prior (0-2, 9.64) vs. Geremi Gonzalez (0-0, 6.08)

Can the Cubs win two in a row? Mark Prior goes to the hill today for the Cubs against former Cub, Geremi Gonzalez (1997-1998). Doug Davis was scheduled to start today’s game but was skipped because of stiffness in his lower back. Gonzalez is a right-hander which is better for the Cubs, besides Davis has already beaten the Cubs once this season. The Cubs’ victory on Wednesday was one of the best wins of the last few months. They got a strong performance by Carlos Marmol and a big come from behind victory for the offense, but if they lay an egg today, all will be for not. The Cubs and Mark Prior need to build on the momentum from Wednesday and split the series with the Brewers….and send the Cubs Faithful home happy again. Mark Prior pitched showed a lot of improvement his last time out and only gave up 3 runs on 8 hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Twins last Saturday. unfortunately the offense could not help as they were shutout by a guy named Boof. Prior kept the Twins in the yard and he must do that today against Carlos Lee and company/ If Prior has location and command problems today like he did he against the Tigers it will be a long afternoon for the bullpen.

Geremi Gonzalez will make his 4th start of the season today and his first for the Brewers. Gonzalez (who changed the spelling of his first name when he was with the Cubs, he used to spell it Jeremi) was acquired from the New York Mets on May 26th for Mike Adams. Today will be his first since May 25th against the Phillies. After not recording a decision in May with a 7.41 ERA (14 runs in 17 innings in 4 games) he has appeared out of the pen three times for the Brewers. In 9 2/3 innings he has allowed 4 runs on 8 hits recorded 8 strikeouts and 4 walks. Gonzalez is very hittable and hopefully the Cubs will continue what they started on Wednesday.

Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….