Zambrano Tries To Regain Form

MLB Betting – Chicago Cubs @ Milwaukee Brewers

Carlos Zambrano (1-4) vs. Randy Wolf (4-5)

Zambrano vs. Brewers Hitting

This will be Zambrano’s second start since returning to the rotation after a brief stint in the bullpen. His first start wasn’t anything special, as the righty lasted only 4 1/3 innings and allowed three runs in the process. Before that, Zambrano had been in the bullpen since mid-April; he wasn’t horrible, but one could tell he didn’t belong as a reliever. His place may be as a starter, but his starting numbers so far this season (23 2/3 innings, 19 earned runs allowed) don’t inspire much confidence.

Before being banished to the bullpen, Zambrano had faced the Brewers with mixed results. He lasted only five innings and gave up three runs, but was able to strike out seven and walk only three. The Brewers have a lot of pop in their lineup, and if you bet on MLB you know they employ one of the most dangerous offensive duos in Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder. Fiedler especially should be one to watch, as he has had past success against Zambrano (.361, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 12 BB).

Wolf vs. Cubs Hitting

Randy Wolf was brought in over the offseason in order to shore up the Brewers rotation; he hasn’t exactly delivered. He has a couple of quality starts, but has a very poor strikeout/walk ratio, an alarmingly high WHIP, and hasn’t been able to win consecutive starts all season. However, Milwaukee doesn’t have many options on the mound, so Wolf is here to stay. Not necessarily great news for Brewers fans.

Like his stats this year, Wolf’s career numbers against Chicago are underwhelming. 17 career starts has led to a 5-7 record and a 4.22 ERA against the Cubbies. However, when betting, note that Wolf has been pretty effective against the Cubs best players; none of Derrick Lee, Alfonso Soriano or Geovany Soto have hit well against Wolf. Marlon Byrd, who leads the Cubs in batting average and RBI’s, has faced the lefty only twice in his career; it’ll be interesting to see how Byrd handles his first extensive look at Wolf.

Bullpen Comparison

The Cubs bullpen is split up into two distinct factions; there are the terrible (John Grabow and his 9.45 ERA; Justin Berg with 10 walks in 10 innings), and there are the fantastic (James Russell and Sean Marshall with sub 2.70 ERA; Carlos Marmol with 51 K’s in 26 1/3 innings). As good as the fantastic are, sometimes the terrible need to play, and that’s when the Cubs start blowing games they should be winning. It’s a very two-faced bullpen.

The Brewers bullpen just has one face, and it’s very ugly. Milwaukee has one of the worst ‘pens in the league, highlighted by an aging closer who has just has much blown saves and he does real saves (Trevor Hoffman with five each). It’s an ugly situation in Milwaukee, and one that will cost them a pennant race if they don’t fix it.

Outlook

Neither starter instills much confidence nor is either offense performing that well, so do not sign these two up for a UFC 116 betting match up,  as it’s difficult to pick a winner here. However, the Cubs have the edge because they’ve been playing a bit better baseball as of late. If you’re betting, pick the over; this isn’t going to be a pitcher’s duel.

Pick: Chicago Cubs