Carlos Zambrano vs. Matt Chico
From BCB...
This looks like a mismatch if you only look at this year's numbers -- and Matt Chico has been bad in all but one of his five starts this year -- but Chico threw seven shutout innings against the Cubs last July 4 in DC, allowing only four hits (singles by Rich Hill, Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa, and a double to Ryan Theriot). So let's consider that "practice", and tee off on this guy tonight.
Z is 5-2, 3.42 in ten career appearances (eight starts) vs. the Nats/Expos franchise. He hasn't lost to them since May 14, 2005, the second game the Cubs played the Nats in DC after their move to Washington. Z has been solid all year, especially with his control (5 walks in 33.2 IP). Expect to see Rob Mackowiak in the starting lineup for Washington again tonight, as he has pounded Z in his career (.306/.419/.556, 11-for-36, 4 doubles, a triple, a HR, and 7 walks). Last night's Nats hero, Wil Nieves, might also play -- he's 2-for-2 lifetime against Z.
Today's game is cable in Chicago on CSN, on cable in the Beltway on MASN, and at the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Lineups:
Cubs
- Reed Johnson
- Ryan Theriot
- Derrek Lee
- Aramis Ramirez
- Kosuke Fukudome
- Mark DeRosa (Lf)
- Geovany Soto
- Ronny Cedeno (2b)
- Carlos Zambrano
Nationals
- Felipe Lopez
- Christian Guzman
- Ryan Zimmerman
- Nick Johnson
- Lastings Millage
- Austin Kearns
- Johnny Estrada
- Willy Mo Pena
- Matt Chico