Game Thirty-Nine: Cubs (18-20) vs. Mets (25-14)
Game Time – 12:10pm C.T. WGN TV, WGN Radio, XM Radio Channel 184
Location – Shea Stadium, Flushing
Angel Guzman (0-0, 3.57/1.35) vs. Jason Vargas (0-0, -.–)
Lou Piniella has several questions surrounding his pitching staff and a solid outing today from Angel Guzman could answer one of them. Guzman is still in search of his first big league win and not only would a win today give the Cubs a split in the series but might go a long way in building the confidence of a very talented young right hander. Today will be the first time Angel Guzman has faced the New York Mets in his short career. When the Cubs recalled Guzman on May 5th, Lou Piniella stated he was just not called up to make one start that he would start at least 3 games….today is number 3. Guzman has pitched well and has made improvements each time out. Guzman might be a better fit on Lou Piniella’s staff as a reliever and not a starter. In 4 games out of the pen this year Guzman’s ERA is 2.45 and is nearly 2 points higher as a starter at 4.35.
Mike Pelfrey (0-5, 6.53/1.75) was slated to start today’s game against Angel Guzman but was sent down to Triple-A New Orleans last Sunday to make room for Carlos Gomez on the Mets’ 25-man roster in the wake of the latest injury to Moises Alou. Pelfrey is the Mets’ top prospect but has struggled to start the season.
Jason Vargas was drafted by the Florida Marlins in 2nd round of the 2004 draft and last November he was traded from the Marlins with Adam Bostick to the Mets for Matt Lindstrom and Henry Owens. He made 12 appearances (5 starts) with the Marlins last season and finished with a 1-2 record and a 7.33 ERA with a 1.86 WHIP. In 43 innings he walked 30, struck out 25, gave up 39 on 50 hits with 9 home runs.
Vargas is 1-0 in 2 career starts against the Cubs with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Vargas was one of the many lefties to dominate the Cubs last season. While with the Marlins he shutout the Cubs in 6 1/3 innings on April 24th. He walked 4 and struck out 2 but surrendered just 1 hit. In 2005 he gave up 5 runs on 9 hits in 5 2/3 innings of work and earned the win/
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