Game 8 Thread / Cubs @ Pirates (2 of 3)
Game Chat | Press Pass | BR Preview
SP | Ryan Dempster | SP |
*Zach Duke |
1-0, 1.50, 5 K, 2 BB | |
0-0, 3.18, 1 K, 1 BB | |
LF | Alfonso Soriano | CF |
*Nate McLouth |
CF |
Reed Johnson | 2B |
Freddy Sanchez |
1B |
Derrek Lee | LF |
Jason Bay |
3B |
Aramis Ramirez | 1B |
*Adam LaRoche |
RF |
*Kosuke Fukudome | RF |
Xavier Nady |
2B |
Mark DeRosa | C |
#Ryan Doumit |
C | Geovany Soto | 3B |
Jose Bautista |
SS | Ronny Cedeno | SS |
Brian Bixler |
P |
Ryan Dempster | P | *Zach Duke |
It's true--the Cubs are unbeaten this season in games started by Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis. (I know, we're talking about two games, but still, I'm pleasantly surprised.)
Soriano (13 PA's, 1.056 OPS), Lee (20 PA, 1.050), Ramirez (22 PA, 1.031), and even little Ronny Cedeno (16 PA, .876) have all had success against Duke in the past. Still, the Pittsburgh lefty is 4-2, 2.10 in eight lifetime starts against the Cubs. Maybe Lou can just go with a four-man batting order.
Dempster returns after a strong outing against the Brewers (1 ER in 6 IP) and his first victory as a starter since April 16, 2005, when he beat the Pirates, 4-3. In that game, Neifi Perez (two hits) and LaTroy Hawkins (save) played key roles.
We've come a long way, baby.
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