Game Eighty-One: Cubs (29-51) vs. White Sox (53-27)
Game Time – 1:20pm C.T. Comcast Sports Net (Cubs)/WGN TV (White Sox), WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 186
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Carlos Zambrano (6-3, 2.95) vs. Mark Buehrle (9-4, 3.22)
Welcome to the half way mark of the season and the end of Interleague Play….after today there is exactly 81 games left to be played. It is amazing how long it has taken to play 80 games, on one hand it seems like yesterday I was in Mesa covering the first Spring Training game and on the other hand it seems like an eternity ago….my how things have changed.
Today Carlos Zambrano takes on Mark Buehrle and the Cubs offense gets another look at a lefty and one that has already thrown a complete game against them this season. Buehrle, unlike the last two starters for the Sox, is not struggling and should join his manager and several of his teammates in a few short days in Pittsburgh for the All-Star Game….Buehrle is 3-2 with a 4.14 ERA in his career against the Cubs. Zambrano has been the best pitcher on the Cubs staff for the last three seasons and is coming off an undefeated June. Last month Zambrano was 3-0 with a remarkable 1.96 ERA in 5 starts. Last time out against the Brewers, Zambrano showed more command than he had all month and only walked 2 and struck out 8. Zambrano has beaten the Sox this year, back on May 21st at the Cell. That wonderful Sunday afternoon saw the Cubs beat the Sox in the finale of the 3-game set, 7-4. Zambrano kept himself under control the day after the brawl and held the Sox to just 4 runs in 7 innings of work.
The Cubs need that today against Buehrle and the Sox in order for them to have a chance. The Cubs have played much better since the return of Derrek Lee but unfortunately they only have one win to show for it. The Cubs need something or someone to bring it together just so they can win a few games….I did not say the “p” word, I just said a few games….where is Rachel Phelps when you need her?
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball….