Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Brewers – 07/31/08

Rich Harden (5-2, 2.10/1.10 – 0-1, 1.04/0.92) vs. Dave Bush (5-8, 4.51/1.18)

The Cubs enter the final day of the month with a chance to sweep one of their division rivals in their park and finish July on a positive note. The past month was not too kind to the Cubs and they began play last Sunday with a sub .500 record at 10-11. But four days and four wins later, Lou Piniella’s crew is 14-11 with one left to go.

Rich Harden will make his fourth start for the Cubs since coming over from Oakland earlier this month. Harden has yet to post a win in a Cubs’ uniform and he will face his toughest task, so far, since coming to Chicago. On the other hand, the Cubs will face the ‘new‘ Dave Bush in the finale of the four game series…. There is not much more Rich Harden could have done in his first three starts for the Cubs and to say he should be 3-0 would be an understatement. Harden became the only Cubs’ pitcher since 1900 to record at least 10 strikeouts in each of his first three starts. Harden has allowed 2 earned runs on 8 hits with 8 walks and 30 strikeouts in his last 3 games, 17 1/3 innings.

Harden is 2-2 in 6 road outings this season with the A’s and Cubs with a 2.94 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

Today is the first time Harden will face the dangerous Brewers offense in his career.

• Mike Cameron – 0-for-2
• Ray Durham – 1-for-12 with a double

Dave Bush will make his second start of the year against the Cubs today. After a rough start to the season, Bush has been very good of late, except for two games. Bush received a no decision in his last start against the Astros and gave up 4 runs on 9 hits in 5 innings with 5 strikeouts and no walks. The outing before, he was outstanding….

Bush beat the Rockies 11-1 and allowed only 1 run on 3 hits in 8 innings without a free pass and 13 strikeouts. In July, Bush was 1-0 in 3 starts with a 2.14 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP….only 6 runs, 5 earned, on 16 hits with 25 strikeouts and no walks. The last time Bush issued a free pass was on June 30th in Arizona. Bush walked 2 in 5 innings with 1 strikeout in a 6-3 Brewers loss.

Bush has been very good at Miller Park this season….4-2 in 10 starts with a 2.85 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP.

The Cubs must make Bush work today, an aggressive approach could lead to a loss. Expect both Geovany Soto and Jim Edmonds back in the starting lineup today.

Bush is 1-6 in 9 career starts against the Cubs with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Ryan Dempster beat Bush in the third game of the season, Bush gave up 6 runs on 6 hits with 5 walks and 4 strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

• Henry Blanco – 0-for-9
• Ronny Cedeno – 3-for-14 with a home run
• Mark DeRosa – 4-for-11 with a home run
• Jim Edmonds – 3-for-8 with 3 doubles
• Mike Fontenot – 1-for-4 with a double
• Kosuke Fukudome – 1-for-1 with a double and 2 walks
• Derrek Lee – 4-for-19 with a double
• Aramis Ramirez – 7-for-21 with 3 doubles and 2 home runs
• Alfonso Soriano – 7-for-21 with 2 doubles
• Ryan Theriot – 3-for-10 with 2 doubles

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….