The Chicago Cubs have a chance to spend the All-Star break with 40 wins instead of 50 losses, and Carlos Silva hopes he can account for a quarter of those victories. Silva is scheduled to pitch Sunday despite a calf injury, and he'll be trying to win 10 games before the break for the first time in his career as the visiting Cubs look to salvage a four-game split with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Silva has been a major contributor for the Cubs all season despite winning a total of five games over the last two years with Seattle The right-hander has been not only dominant on the road, but also undefeated posting a 5-0 record thus far in hostile territory sporting an ERA of 3.05. His last three starts have been great starts but, the Cubs have only pulled away 1 win out of his last 3 trips to the hill, dispite an incredible ERA of 2.75. Facing the Dodgers should keep him motivated as he is 3-0 in 2 starts an a couple of relief apperances lifetime against Los Angeles. Overall he has been a great asset to the Cubs posting a 9-2 record with an ERA just under 3.00.
Los Angeles won the first two games of this series and is trying to win a home set for the first time since it swept St. Louis from June 7-9. The Dodgers went 2-7 while losing series to the Angels, Yankees and Marlins.
But they're still in good position in the crowded division, in part because of the recent resurgence of Vicente Padilla. Padilla (3-2, 4.72) struggled in April and spent nearly two months on the disabled list with an inflamed nerve in his arm, but has posted a 2.18 ERA along with 21 strikeouts and two walks in his last three starts.The right-hander returns to the mound Sunday looking to win a third consecutive start for the first time since June 2008. Padilla has done above average at home this year posting a 2-1 record with a 3.05 ERA and a WHIP of .92. The right hander has had trouble with the Cubs in the past posting a 3-4 record in 6 career apprances followed by an ERA of 4.79. The Dodgers have been the dominant team in this match-up winning 6 of the last 8 meetings in LA, However,While he hasn't faced the Dodgers since 2006, Silva is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles.The bats of Chicago seem to be heating up as the Cubs are averaging 6.5 runs on this trip. I'm backing the CUbs here.
CHICAGO CUBS +130
Los Angeles won the first two games of this series and is trying to win a home set for the first time since it swept St. Louis from June 7-9. The Dodgers went 2-7 while losing series to the Angels, Yankees and Marlins.
But they're still in good position in the crowded division, in part because of the recent resurgence of Vicente Padilla. Padilla (3-2, 4.72) struggled in April and spent nearly two months on the disabled list with an inflamed nerve in his arm, but has posted a 2.18 ERA along with 21 strikeouts and two walks in his last three starts.The right-hander returns to the mound Sunday looking to win a third consecutive start for the first time since June 2008. Padilla has done above average at home this year posting a 2-1 record with a 3.05 ERA and a WHIP of .92. The right hander has had trouble with the Cubs in the past posting a 3-4 record in 6 career apprances followed by an ERA of 4.79. The Dodgers have been the dominant team in this match-up winning 6 of the last 8 meetings in LA, However,While he hasn't faced the Dodgers since 2006, Silva is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles.The bats of Chicago seem to be heating up as the Cubs are averaging 6.5 runs on this trip. I'm backing the CUbs here.
CHICAGO CUBS +130