Game One Hundred Forty-Three: Cubs (56-86) vs. Braves (68-73)
Game Time – 12:05pm C.T. WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 184
Location – Turner Field, Atlanta
Juan Mateo (1-2, 5.10) vs. Lance Cormier (2-4, 5.26)
Juan Mateo will look to end the Cubs losing streak today and improve on his last 2 starts against the Pirates, his shortest outings of the season. Mateo has not faced a team other than the Pirates since August 25th and the Cubs need Mateo to pitch into at least the 6th inning to give their bullpen a much-needed rest. Mateo has the stuff to be successful at this level, it is up to him to take the next step. The Cubs were able to put a few runs on the board against Lance Cormier back on May 28th. The Cubs scored 2 runs on 2 hits in 1/3 of an inning in the wild 11-inning contest that the Cubs lost 13-12. After starting the season in the pen for the Braves, Cormier has made spot starts for the Braves since mid-June. In 5 starts he is 0-3 with a 4.61 ERA. The Cubs will have their chances against Cormier; he has given up 36 hits in those starts in 27 2/3 innings. Cormier is 1-0 in 2 career games against the Cubs with a 9.00 ERA (2 runs on 3 hits in 2 innings).
While this team is falling a part before our eyes, Mateo has been a bright spot this season. The Cubs need to figure out a way to finish this season, one that ends 3 weeks from today, on a positive note….if for no other reason, PRIDE.
Let’s Talk Cubbies Baseball and Go Bears!!!