Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. White Sox – 06/20/11

Carlos Zambrano (5-4, 4.59/1.34) vs. Gavin Floyd (6-6, 3.94/1.19)

Weather permitting … The Cubs and White Sox resume their crosstown rivalry tonight with the first of three at the Cell. Ozzie Guillen’s White Sox won four of six against Lou Piniella’s Cubs last season and the White Sox have a three-game advantage all-time in the City Series (41-38).

The first round of the battle for the BP Crosstown Cup will feature Carlos Zambrano against Gavin Floyd tonight, Matt Garza versus Mark Buehrle in game two and Jake Peavy will return from the DL in time to face Doug Davis in the finale on Wednesday night.

The Cell always seems to bring out the worst in the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs just need to play ball over the next three days and leave the drama in the clubhouse at Wrigley.

Mike Quade has not announced whether Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez or player ‘C’ will be used as the Cubs’ DH for the next six games (three against the Sox, three against the Royals). Soriano would make the most sense to try and improve the defense in the outfield. Reed Johnson is scheduled to have tonight off and return Tuesday night against Mark Buehrle.

The final three games of the City Series take place at Wrigley over the first three days of July (July 1 – July 3).

The Cubs are 2-4 in Interleague play this season and tonight it all begins with Carlos Zambrano … After speaking his mind following the Cubs loss to the Cardinals on June 5, Carlos Zambrano has put together two horrible starts. The Phillies pounded Z to the tune of seven runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. The free passes was Z’s undoing, he walked seven and struck out five. The big hit was a grand slam off the bat of Placido Polanco.

Z said his next start would be better … and it was not. The Brewers pounded out nine hits in six innings and scored five of their nine runs off Big Z. Zambrano walked only two but ran up his pitch count due to command problems.

The Cubs need for Z to have an uneventful, productive start tonight against the White Sox.

Carlos Zambrano is 0-2 in his last three starts with a 6.05 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. Z’s allowed 12 earned runs on 16 hits with nine walks and 11 strikeouts in his last two outings (8.76 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP).

Trouble, Zambrano and the South Side always seem to find each other when the crosstown rivals get together. Hopefully Z can take care of business tonight and just win the ballgame.

Big Z is 5-4 in 14 career games, 12 starts, versus the Sox with a 4.97 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.

White Sox Career Numbers against Carlos Zambrano

• Gordon Beckham – 2-for-3 with a walk
• Ramon Castro – 1-for-4 with a home run
• Adam Dunn – 13-for-62 with a double, 7 home runs and 18 walks
• Paul Konerko – 9-for-29 with a double, 4 home runs and 3 walks
• Juan Pierre – 8-for-33 with 2 doubles and 5 walks
• A.J. Pierzynski – 6-for-21 with a home run and 3 walks
• Carlos Quentin – 1-for-1 with a home run
• Alexei Ramirez – 3-for-7 with 2 home runs
• Alex Rios – 1-for-1 with a double
• Omar Vizquel – 3-for-14 with a double and a walk

The Cubs will get their third regular season look at Gavin Floyd … another starting pitcher the Cubs offense has struggled mightily against over the years. Floyd has been solid this season for Ozzie Guillen but is coming off a loss to the Twins in Minnesota.

The Twins scored four runs on 11 hits against Floyd in eight innings. The 11 hits Floyd allowed was a season-high and last Wednesday was the third time this season Floyd has allowed four earned runs in a single game.

Gavin Floyd is 2-2 in five starts at the Cell this season with a 4.36 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP … in his last three games, 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

Floyd is 0-1 in two starts against the Cubs (includes a complete game) with a 1.20 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. The Cubs have managed just two runs on seven hits in 15 innings against Gavin Floyd.

Look for Mike Quade to load his lineup with lefties. Southpaws are hitting .273 against Floyd this season while righties are hitting just .217.

Cubs Career Number against Gavin Floyd

• Starlin Castro – 1-for-3
• Blake DeWitt – 1-for-2 with a double and a walk
• Kosuke Fukudome – 0-for-3
• Koyie Hill – 0-for-3
• Luis Montanez – 0-for-4
• Carlos Pena – 1-for-8 with a walk
• Alfonso Soriano – 2-for-10 with a double
• Geovany Soto – 0-for-2

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