Game Time: 08/09/2008 03:55 PM -
By: Al McMordie | bigal.com
Wrigley Field should be awash in smiles once today's game ends and the Cubs have vanquished their rivals from St. Louis. Cash Carlos Zambrano and Chicago vs. the Cardinals.
Our Saturday afternoon MLB selection is on the Chicago Cubs at home in Wrigley over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Carlos Zambrano gave the Cubs quite a scare in the month of June when he went 1-2 in four starts, giving up 16 earned runs in just over 25 innings before finally landing on the DL with a strained shoulder injury on June 21. Fortunately, the Cubs have been able to breathe a sigh of relief as the 27-year-old Zambrano has looked like his old self since coming back from the DL on Independence day. The Chicago ace has gone 4-1 in his six starts since coming off the shelf and has lowered his ERA back down to 2.76 in the process.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have been monitoring his innings and pitches, taking care not to overuse Zambrano and risk another trip to the DL during this critical time of the season. You'd have to search a long time to find a pitcher who has been more dominant against one team in the last five years than Zambrano has been against division rival St. Louis. With his shutout victory against the Cards in his only start against them this season, the 6-5 Venezuelan is now 8-0 in his last 11 starts against St. Louis dating back to the beginning of the 2005 season.
But Zambrano isn't the only Cub who has made a successful return from the DL recently. Outfielder Alfonso Soriano has been absolutely en fuego since returning from injury on July 23. During an 11-game stretch beginning on July 27, Soriano had 20 hits, six homers, and 14 RBI in only 48 at bats. It doesn't get much hotter than that. Take the Cubs.
Twins lefty Francisco Liriano is just making his second start back from Triple-A, and the Royals are 7-2 at home in Zack Greinke's starts this season. Kansas City dogs Minnesota tonight.
Francisco Liriano delivered a highly impressive debut back from an extended AAA stint with six shutout innings for a Minnesota win last Sunday. Liriano labored considerably in the outing, however, with three walks and a high pitch count that was bailed out by the defense with key outs and double plays.
Although Liriano looks like he can help the Twins down the stretch, he is not likely to post the dominant numbers that were delivered in 2006. The Twins had lost six consecutive Liriano starts and he now must pitch on the road where his season ERA is still 16.88. The Minnesota bullpen has really struggled away from home and Liriano will be under a close watch in tonight’s game.
Seven of Zack Greinke’s last 10 starts have been very good and he continues to be a key part of the Royals' success this season. At home, Greinke owns a 2.93 ERA and Kansas City is 7-2 behind him in home games.
Minnesota is just 25-30 on the road this season and the Royals have hit left-handers well this year, including a .335 team average in the past 10 games.
Game Time: 08/09/2008 07:10 PM -
By: Larry Ness | covers.com
Cincinnati is 7-3 in Bronson Arroyo's last 10 starts and the Reds will be out to make up for losses at home in the first two games of this series against the Houston Astros.
Houston's 9-5, 10-inning win over Cincinnati Friday night was their 10th win in 14 games. In comparison, the Reds have lost 12 of their last 14, but I'm willing to back Cincy here with a suddenly-hot Bronson Arroyo on the mound.
Arroyo was lit up for 11 hits and 10 ER, recording only three outs, back on June 24 in a 14-1 loss at Toronto. But he's gone 6-1 with a 3.65 ERA since (18 ERs allowed over 44. 1 innings). Actually, the Reds have won seven of his last 10 starts.
Brian Moehler of the Astros began the year coming out of the bullpen for his first five appearances, and didn't make his first start until May 9. He's 7-4 with 4.01 ERA in all 21 appearances this season, posting a 3.76 ERA in his 16 starts with the Astros going 10-6.
These teams are heading in opposite directions right now but I'm taking a shot here with the "hot pitcher." Take Cincinnati.
Game Time: 08/09/2008 07:10 PM -
By: Jimmy the Moose | sportspic.com
These two squads have gone over this total in each of the first two games of the series, and that scoring trend should continue tonight when the Reds host the Astros.
Houston has played over the total in seven of their last nine games. The Over is 6-1 in their last seven road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 11-2-1 in their last 14 vs. a right-handed starter.
The Over is 5-1 in the Reds' last six home games vs. a team with a losing road record. The Over is 7-3 in Bronson Arroyo's last 10 starts vs. a team with a losing record and 5-1 in his last six starts vs. the Astros.
The Over is a profitable 21-9-4 in the last 34 meetings between the clubs, and 11-3-1 in Houston's last 15 trips to Cincinnati.
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