Game Sixty-Two: Cubs (39-22) vs. Dodgers (28-32)
Game Time – 9:40pm C.T.
Coverage – TV: WGN – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 189
Location – Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Sean Gallagher (3-1, 4.55/1.33) vs. Hiroki Kuroda (2-5, 3.93/1.38)
The Cubs will look to secure a winning road trip tonight behind Sean Gallagher. Lou Piniella’s young right-hander is coming of a solid win in his last start and has earned a spot in the rotation with his last two outings. Tonight is a rematch from game two of the series in Wrigley on the cold night following Memorial Day. The offense will have the challenge of figuring out Hiroki Kuroda early….and not wait until the 7th inning.
Geovany Soto was nominated for May’s MLB Rookie of the Month award. Soto won the honor sponsored by Gillette for April. The CCO was asked to remind our readers to go and vote for Soto (click here to vote) before June 8th.
After tonight’s game, just 100 left in the 2008 regular season for the Cubs. Sean Gallagher put together another solid start in his last outing and won his third big league game. Gallagher continues to make the case to remain in Lou Piniella’s rotation and tonight will be a big test. Gallagher has shown the ability to win at home but struggled in his only start on the road. Gallagher is 0-1 in 3 games, 1 start, away from Wrigley with a 7.27 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP.
Gallagher held the Dodgers to 1 run on 4 hits in 7 very cold innings on May 27th. Gallagher must throw strikes tonight against a Dodgers’ offense that is struggling to score runs right now.
The Cubs will get their second look at Hiroki Kuroda in two short weeks. ‘Mr. Complete Game‘ actually out pitched Gallagher in the first match-up but allowed a couple of runners to get on in the 7th before leaving the game in favor of Jonathan Broxton. The Cubs tallied a pair of runs, 1 earned, and handed Kuroda his 4th loss of the season.
Kuroda has not posted a win in his last 2 starts and is coming off his worst game of the season against the Mets. Kuroda allowed 6 runs on 7 hits in 2 2/3 innings. Kuroda has not lost at Dodger Stadium in 5 outings, he is 1-0 with a 3,90 ERA and a 1,33 WHIP,
The Cubs must make Kuroda work. He throws a lot of strikes, but he will elevate his pitches as the game wears on. Their patience and Gallagher’s ability to keep them in the game is key to posting a win. A lot of swings early in the count and the outcome could be very similar to the one at Wrigley.
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