Chicago @ Milwaukee preview
American Family Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Milwaukee 3
If the Chicago Cubs' season could be illustrated by the performance of just one player, it would be pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Unfortunately for long-suffering fans of the Cubbies, neither Zambrano nor the season has been very good.
The Cubs look to bounce back from a tough loss when they face the Milwaukee Brewers in the second game of a three-game set tonight at Miller Park.
Expected to make a run at a playoff spot, if not the National League Central crown, the Cubs have been one of baseball's bigger disappointments this season. Chicago is in third place in the division but is already seven games back.
The friendly confines of Wrigley Field have not been so friendly as the Cubs have a 14-13 record there. They are no better on the road or against the division with a 12-19 record in both, and Chicago is 3-7 in its last 10 games.
The Cubs dropped yet another road contest Tuesday despite taking the lead in both the top of the eighth and ninth innings. Ted Lilly pitched a gem for the Cubs but the offense was AWOL again and the bullpen couldn't hold up either, as Carlos Marmol allowed two runs and a hit in the ninth for his third blown save of the season.
Zambrano was moved to the bullpen to try and shore it up and regain his form. Neither happened and he finds himself back in the starting rotation mix.
The high-priced right-hander was moved to Chicago's unreliable bullpen after opening the season 1-2 with a 7.45 ERA in four starts. He was unhappy with the move and will make his second start since returning to the rotation.
Zambrano (1-4) allowed three runs and six hits in 4 1/3 innings in a 3-1 loss to Houston on Friday. It was Zambrano's first start since April 20.
Milwaukee is looking for its third straight win and will send left-hander Randy Wolf (4-5, 4.66 ERA) to the mound. Wolf has made 17 career starts against the Cubs and has a record of 5-7 with an ERA of 4.22.
A win would be Milwaukee's 10th home win of the season and make the Brewers the last team in the NL to reach double figures in home wins. Only Cleveland (eight) has fewer home wins than Milwaukee.
At 9-16 at home this season, Milwaukee is nine games out of first place and two behind Chicago for third in the NL Central.