Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. White Sox – 06/21/11

Matt Garza (3-6, 4.14/1.42) vs. Mark Buehrle (6-5, 3.75/1.33)

Weather permitting … The Cubs will try to win on the South Side for the second day in a row, a victory tonight would end the Cubs five series losing streak in Interleague play. Carlos Zambrano set the bar with his impressive eight innings on Monday night. Zambrano helped keep the relievers in the pen and it is up to Matt Garza to follow Zambrano’s lead tonight. Mike Quade needs another long, effective outing from his starter in order to stay out of the bullpen as much as possible.

Mike Quade said Aramis Ramirez would serve as the team’s DH tonight, which would put Alfonso Soriano back in left. With Mark Buehrle on the hill, look for Quade to run out his all right-handed lineup … Reed Johnson in center, Jeff Baker at first and Luis Montanez in right. Where will Blake DeWitt fit into the mix with the southpaw on the mound?

In other news … Darwin Barney hit off a tee Monday for the first time since going on the DL last week. Barney will soon be fitted for a knee brace.

Marlon Byrd continues to make progress and is looking to go out on a minor league rehab with the Iowa Cubs on Monday, June 27. Byrd is targeting to return for the start of the series against the Nationals on July 4.

Tonight it all starts with Matt Garza … Matt Garza is coming off his third win of the season, his first since May 11. Garza struggled early on and allowed five runs on six hits in six innings. Garza walked three and struck out three while allowing two home runs (numbers three and four on the season). The Cubs offense just out hit Milwaukee as Garza started to settle down. Garza got his first taste, and victory, on a wind day at the old ballyard.

Tonight will be Garza’s fourth start since returning from the DL. Garza is 1-2 in his last three starts with a 5.63 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP.

Matt Garza is 1-2 in four career starts against the White Sox with a 6.87 ERA and a 2.24 WHIP … at the Cell, 1-0 in two starts with a 2.70 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP.

White Sox Career Numbers against Matt Garza

• Adam Dunn – 1-for-1 with 2 walks
• Paul Konerko – 3-for-6 with a double, a home run and 2 walks
• Brent Lillibridge – 1-for-2 with a walk
• A.J. Pierzynski – 3-for-5 with a home run and a walk
• Carlos Quentin – 0-for-2
• Alex Rios – 4-for-21 with a triple and 2 walks
• Mark Teahen – 2-for-11 with a walk

After a rough start to the season, Mark Buehrle has been very good of late. Buehrle took the loss in the Sox 1-0 loss to the Twins. Buehrle did his job and held the Twins to one run on three hits in seven innings (a home run by Michael Cuddyer). Buehrle walked two and struck out three.

Buehrle was 3-1 in five starts in May with a 2.57 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP … the veteran southpaw is 2-1 in his last three starts with a 3.15 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.

Tonight will be Buehrle’s 13th career start against the Cubs. He is 5-4 in the first 12 with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Mark Buehrle

• Jeff Baker – 1-for-3
• Starlin Castro – 0-for-3
• Kosuke Fukudome – 1-for-5 with a walk
• Reed Johnson – 10-for-27 with 3 doubles
• Carlos Pena – 11-for-41 with a double, a home run and 5 walks
• Aramis Ramirez – 3-for-13 with a double, a home run and a walk
• Alfonso Soriano – 7-for-35 with a double, 2 home runs and a walk
• Geovany Soto – 2-for-8 with a double and a walk

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