Game Seventeen: Cubs (8-8) vs. Padres (7-9)
Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Matt Garza (0-2, 6.27/1.71) vs. Dustin Moseley (0-3, 1.83/1.27)
Weather permitting … it’s going to be a long day of Cubs baseball and hopefully Q’s squad will be able to make Ernie Banks proud.
The Cubs play a day-night doubleheader today against the San Diego Padres. Matt Garza against Dustin Moseley in what was originally scheduled to be the finale of the three game series.
James Russell will start the second game, slated for a 6:05pm CDT first pitch. Former Cincinnati Red and longtime Cubs’ nemesis Aaron Harang will take the hill for Bud Black in game two.
Matt Garza needs a good outing this afternoon with a little help from his teammates. Garza has struggled in his last two outings while receiving zero run support.
The Cubs will have their hands full with Dustin Moseley. He’s been extremely effective and the only reason he’s 0-3 is because the Padres have not scored a single run in the three games he’s started.
As Mr. Banks says, “Let’s Play Two” and the first one begins with Matt Garza … Matt Garza is still searching for his first win in a Cubs’ uniform. Garza was in line for the victory in the third game of the season but Carlos Marmol could not keep the ‘Mighty Pirates‘ off the scoreboard. Garza has been inconsistent at best and a good outing this afternoon would go a long way towards silencing some of his critics.
Garza has given up five earned runs in each of his last two starts (0-2 with a 10.49 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP) while walking five and striking out 13 in 11 2/3 innings. Garza has shown how good his stuff can be now it’s time for him to show why the Cubs traded for him over the winter.
This afternoon will be Garza’s second career start versus the Friars (Rays beat the Padres 5-3 on June 24, 2010 in San Diego). Matt Garza is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP (three runs on six hits in eight innings without a walk and five strikeouts).
Padres Career Numbers against Matt Garza
- Jorge Cantu – 2-for-13 with a walk
- Brad Hawpe – 0-for-1 with a walk
- Chase Headley – 0-for-3
- Nick Hundley – 0-for-3
- Ryan Ludwick – 1-for-2 with a home run and a walk
- Eric Patterson – 2-for-5 with a home run
- Will Venable – 2-for-3
Dustin Moseley is without a doubt the best 0-3 pitcher in the majors. Moseley has allowed only four earned runs (five total) in his first three starts and the Padres have scored a total of zero runs in those games. Moseley has walked more batters (6) than he’s struck out (4) but has been extremely effective.
Moseley posted a 4-4 record in 16 games, nine starts, for the New York Yankees last season with a 4.96 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.
This afternoon will be Moseley’s first career start and appearance against the Chicago Cubs.
Marlon Byrd (2-for-7 with a double and a home run), Reed Johnson (a walk in only plate appearance) and Carlos Pena (0-for-1) are the only active Cubs that has faced Moseley.
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