Sport: MLBPick Selection: Padres/Cubs: Cubs
I'm playing on the CUBS. With another 4-1 win yesterday, the Cubs are playing as well as they have all year right now. They've been getting strong starting and relief pitching, playing very well defensively and coming through with some clutch hits. The early starting time should give them a slight advantage over their West Coast based guests and I expect them to keep their momentum going for yet another day. While Young has the much better seasonal stats, evidently, Zambrano just needed to throw a few punches before he began pitching up to his potential. Since his "meltdown" Zambrano has gone 2-0 while allowing only two earned runs in 14 2/3 innings. Note that Zambrano has dominated San Diego over his career, going 4-0. In fact, over his last three starts against the Padres, Zambrano has allowed only one run through 22 innings, while going 2-0. That's a 0.41 ERA! In his last start, Zambrano held Houston to only three hits and one (unearned) run through eight innings, striking out eight while walking one. On the other hand, Young was rather ordinary in his last start, allowing seven hits and three runs in 6 2/3 innings vs. the Mariners. Young didn't factor in the decision but the Padres lost the game by a score of 4-3. Like all the Padre pitchers, Young's stats are much better in pitcher-friendly Petco Park. His road ERA of 3.63 is solid but not sensational and he's averaged only 5 2/3 innings through seven starts. Look for Zambrano to outduel Young as the Cubs improve to 10-3 the last 13 times they played a home game on a Saturday. *NL Game of the Week
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