Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 9, Washington 1
The Chicago Cubs let down Lou Piniella in his last game in the team's uniform on Sunday, but hope that the good vibes from Monday’s win in interim manager Mike Quade’s debut will carry over to Tuesday.
Chicago rebounded from a 16-5 loss on Sunday that a number of Cubs referred to as one of the toughest losses all year to pound the Washington Nationals, 9-1, on Monday.
The Cubs have been terrible on the road all season long and take a visiting record of 24-36 into Tuesday’s game. They have managed to win three consecutive contests away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, however.
With Monday’s offensive outburst, the Cubs have now put up 35 runs during a five-game winning streak at Washington.
Alfonso Soriano has done a lot of damage against his former club. He has eight RBIs in his last eight games when playing in the nation’s capital.
The Cubs will hand the ball to Carlos Zambrano (4-6, 4.97 ERA), who is trying to make the best of an otherwise awful season by finishing strong down the stretch.
Zambrano has one win and boasts a 1.97 ERA since returning to the rotation three starts ago, but is still struggling with his velocity and location.
He allowed one run in Chicago’s 5-3 loss to the NL West-leading San Diego Padres, but also issued six free passes while striking out only one batter.
The Nationals counter with the red-hot John Lannan (5-5, 5.13 ERA), who has won three straight games. The left-hander allowed only eight runs over his last four starts while striking out 15 since coming up to the big club from Double-A Harrisburg six weeks ago.
Adam Dunn continues to give Chicago problems. He had one of Washington’s three hits on Monday and has a long history against Zambrano. Dunn has 13 hits and seven home runs against the big Chicago righty in his career.
Washington heads into Tuesday’s game having lost 11 of its last 15 overall. The Nationals will also be without rookie sensation Stephen Strasberg for a while after he was placed on the disabled list again, this time with a right forearm issue.
Strasburg has been one of the lone bright spots for the Nationals this season, but the latest reports indicate he could be done for the year. He made just three starts after coming off the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation before his forearm started acting up.
Chicago outfielder Marlon Byrd is day-to-day after taking a pitch to the wrist in Monday’s win.