Chicago @ Houston preview
Minute Maid Park
Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2010 ) Chi. Cubs 2, Houston 0
Carlos Zambrano looks to cap off a tumultuous season with his eighth consecutive victory on Saturday as the Chicago Cubs take on the Houston Astros in the second contest of a three-game set.
Zambrano (10-6, 3.36 ERA) came into training camp in tremendous shape this season and the organization expected great things from the big right-hander. Instead, Zambrano was bounced from the starting rotation to the bullpen and spent some time on the sideline while he underwent anger management therapy.
He returned to the starting rotation in a 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Aug. 9, and hasn’t allowed more than two runs in an outing since.
Zambrano is 12-8 with a 2.64 ERA over his career against the Astros in 28 starts, but did give up all three runs in a 3-1 loss at Houston on June 4. He had his mother in the stands for the first time in his career the last time he took the hill, firing seven shutout innings against the San Diego Padres in a 1-0 win.
Zambrano also reaffirmed his commitment to the Cubs – and a five-year $91.5 million contract – this week, saying that he would invoke his no-trade clause if he was approached about a move by the team.
The Cubs are fielding a roster of mostly call-ups at this point and should have Kosuke Fukudome back in the lineup after he missed time earlier this week with a knee sprain.
Chicago pitchers are working on 21 consecutive scoreless innings after rookie Casey Coleman blanked the Astros over seven innings on Friday to pick up his fourth win of the year. The Cubs continue to strengthen interim manager Mike Quade’s resume as they’ve gone 23-12 since he took over from Lou Piniella in August.
Houston will give the ball to J.A. Happ (6-3, 2.77 ERA) on Saturday.
Happ is 5-3 with a 3.00 ERA since coming over from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Roy Oswalt deal. He hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last two trips to the hill.
Happ allowed two unearned runs on four hits in a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in his last start.
Astros center fielder Hunter Pence continues to feast on Chicago pitching, going 2-for-4 on Friday night. He is 10-for-25 at home against the Cubs this season, but has just five career hits against Zambrano.
Houston is struggling down the stretch, having lost eight of its last 10 games.