Cubs are a much better day team and it showed yesterday without Bradley and Ramirez in the lineup. Ramirez out of hte lineup with the flu might play today, but even if he doesn't I am confinced against the Pirates who struggle to put any kind of runs up as of late particularly against LH starters who they will face their old prospect Tom Gorzelanny who in his 2 starts looked great at Cincinnati 7.1 IP 3H 1ER and then dreadful @ Colorado 1.1 IP 6H 6ER.
He'll have a great chance going up against the Pirates who are not a good day team and have a .231 average 1.29 R/9 vs. LHP in their last 5 games with a bullpen of 8.13 over their last 10 does not look to me like they are ready for this challenge unless Duke goes deep into the game.
Duke has been solid on the season, and against the Cubs with 14IP 15H 3BB and 5ER this year, but it's the third time and the Cubs are hitting .341 in their career with Soriano leading with 15-33 and 2HR. Pirates are 4-22 in their last 26 road starts vs. team with a winning record.
Freddy Wills POD 8/15
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