Game Eight: Cubs (4-3) vs. Brewers (3-5)
Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location – Miller Park, Milwaukee
Matt Garza (0-0, 3.86/1.71) vs. Chris Narveson (0-0, 0.00/1.00)
Updated 2:54pm CDT – The Cubs activated Casey Coleman Saturday afternoon. Coleman takes the final open spot on the Cubs’ active 25-man roster.
The Yankees signed Carlos Silva to a minor league contract that includes an opt-out date. If Silva makes the big league team he will be re-united with Larry Rothschild. Silva will report to Tampa and compete for the fifth spot in New York’s rotation.
The Cubs will go for their second in a row at Miller Park behind Matt Garza tonight. Mike Quade needs a long outing from Garza tonight. With Casey Coleman and James Russell taking in the hill in the coming days, the Cubs pen looks to get quite a bit of work before the teams next off day.
The Cubs added Jeff Stevens to the bullpen mix Friday afternoon but still have a spot on their active roster unfilled. Casey Coleman will be activated before Sunday’s game, which will fill the final spot … but why did the Cubs elect to play two games with a 24-man roster?
According to multiple reports, James Russell will be available out of the pen tonight.
With another southpaw on the hill for the Brewers, look for Mike Quade to run out lineup similar to Friday … with the possible exception of Reed Johnson in right instead of Tyler Colvin.
Tonight it all starts with Matt Garza … Matt Garza will make his second start in a Cubs’ uniform … and he is coming off a career day in his first start of the season. Garza set single-game career highs in strikeouts (12) and in hits allowed (12) while not issuing a free pass. The Pirates dinked and dumped Garza, all 12 hits were singles, with the only ball they squared up staying in the park.
One of the newest Cubs was in line for a win after allowing three runs on 12 hits in seven innings.
Garza had good movement on his fastball and breaking ball in his Cubs’ debut … and must continue throwing strikes tonight against the Brewers very dangerous offense.
Tonight will mark the first time Garza has faced the Brewers in his career.
Brewers Career Numbers against Matt Garza
- Yuniesky Betancourt – 5-for-15 with a double
- Carlos Gomez – 1-for-3
- Mark Kotsay – 0-for-2
- George Kottaras – 0-for-2
- Jeremy Reed – 1-for-2 with a double and a walk
Chris Narveson is coming off a very good first outing of the season. Narveson kept the Braves off the board through six innings but received a no decision. Atlanta managed only three hits against the southpaw while Narveson struck out five and issued three free passes.
Narveson posted a respectable 12-9 record with 4.99 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in 37 games, 28 starts, a year ago (5-5 in 18 games, 14 starts, with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP at home, 5-3 in 14 starts after the break with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP).
Chris Narveson is a perfect 3-0 in nine career games, two starts, against the Cubs with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP … 2-0 in five games, one start, versus the Cubs in 2010 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Chris Narveson
- Jeff Baker – 1-for-4 with a walk
- Marlon Byrd – 3-for-6 with 3 doubles
- Starlin Castro – 1-for-3
- Tyler Colvin – 0-for-7 with a walk
- Blake DeWitt – 2-for-4 with a double
- Kosuke Fukudome – 0-for-3
- Reed Johnson – 1-for-5 with a double
- Aramis Ramirez – 1-for-8 with a home run and a walk
- Alfonso Soriano – 1-for-6 with a walk
- Geovany Soto – 3-for-8 with a double and 2 walks
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