Game Sixty-Eight: Cubs (27-40) vs. Brewers (39-30)
Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 187
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Matt Garza (2-6, 3.84/1.42) vs. Zack Greinke (6-1, 4.69/1.17)
Weather permitting … The Cubs will complete their four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Cubs opened the series with two solid wins before blowing the chance at posting their first three-game winning streak of the season.
A win this afternoon would wrap-up a series win at Wrigley … the Cubs first series win at home since they took two of three from the Mets in May (May 24 – May 26).
With Wednesday’s rain delay and the late-night finish, look for Koyie Hill behind the plate this afternoon and Tony Campana should get the start in center with Zack Greinke on the mound. Alfonso Soriano was activated from the DL Wednesday but was not in the starting lineup. Soriano pinch hit for Zambrano and struck out on three pitches. Soriano should be back in left field this afternoon.
Today it all starts with Matt Garza … Matt Garza will make his third start today since returning from the DL. Garza threw the ball a lot better in his last outing but was still hung with the loss. Garza allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits in six innings. Garza walked three and struck out four. Garza must limit his free passes today to keep his pitch count down … the last time Garza pitched past the sixth inning was April 30 in Arizona (eight innings). The Cubs need longer outings from Matt Garza.
Garza faced the Brewers back on April 9 in Milwaukee … and the Brewers scored five times on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Garza struck out eight and walked three.
Today will be Matt Garza’s second career outing against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Brewers Career Numbers against Matt Garza
- Yuniesky Betancourt – 5-for-18 with a double
- Ryan Braun – 2-for-2 with a double and a walk
- Prince Fielder – 3-for-3 with 3 doubles
- Carlos Gomez – 1-for-3
- Mark Kotsay – 1-for-5
- Casey McGehee – 0-for-3
- Nyjer Morgan – 1-for-2 with a triple
- Wil Nieves – 0-for-2 with a walk
- Rickie Weeks – 1-for-3 with a walk
- Josh Wilson – 1-for-7
The Cubs will get their first look at the former AL Cy Young award winner this afternoon. Zack Greinke spent the first month of the season on the DL after playing a little basketball. Greinke has been very good in a Brewers’ uniform and Milwaukee has been very good since he made his way into the rotation.
Greinke is 2-0 in his last two starts with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP … and those wins have come against the Marlins and Cardinals.
Greinke is 2-1 in three road starts with a 4.24 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Zack Greinke
- Jeff Baker – 0-for-3
- Reed Johnson – 0-for-1
- Luis Montanez – 1-for-3
- Carlos Pena – 3-for-27 with a double and 2 walks
- Alfonso Soriano – 3-for-10 with a double and a walk
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