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Game Notes
Carlos Zambrano vs.
Bronson Arroyo
Lineups:
Soriano LF |
Hopper CF |
Kendall C |
Keppinger SS |
Lee 1B |
Votto 1B |
Floyd RF |
Phillips 2B |
Ramirez 3B |
Encarnacion 3B |
DeRosa 2B |
Valentin C |
Jones CF |
Coats LF |
Theriot SS |
Ellison RF |
Zambrano P |
Arroyo P |
The hopes of all Cubdom rest on the broad shoulders of Zambrano, who has pitched well in three of his last four starts. The clinker in that bunch, unfortunately, was a 5-2 loss to the Reds, who have already beaten Carlos four times this season.
Zambrano's strikeout numbers are down significantly in '07; he's had particular trouble missing Cincinnati bats (just 11 K in 28 2/3 IP). Importantly, though, Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey, and Josh Hamilton--combined 1.112 OPS against Zambrano this year--are all sitting this one out with injuries.
Arroyo, meanwhile, was the Reds starter Monday before last, when the Cubs stormed back against the Cincy bullpen to win 7-6. The curveball-throwin',
guitar-strummin' Arroyo is 0-2 with 2 ND's against the Cubs this year, but he has fanned 29 while walking just 10 in 33 2/3 IP.
Given the events of the past three days, Zambrano's inconsistency, Arroyo's occasional success against the Cubs, and the dispiriting facts of Chicago Cub history, I think this game shapes up like yet another, tense tug of war. On the other hand, the Reds are severely depleted and have lost five games in a row. And oh, yeah--we do have one of our aces going tonight. In Milwaukee.
We're all pulling for you,
Greg.
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