[G-men]

Al DeMarco

Sunday's Play

5 Dime - Chicago Cubs (Zambrano) - 1 1/2 Runs over New York Mets (Figueroa)

Carlos Zambrano was awful against Washington on Tuesday in his first start since August 1, allowing a season-high eight runs in 4.1 innings. But that was, as noted, his first outing since being sidelined by a back injury, and it came against a good-hitting Washington team.

Today Chicago's less-than-stellar ace faces an injury-riddled New York lineup missing Wright, Reyes, Delgado, Beltran among others. No surprise New York has dropped nine of 11 entering the contest. And injuries haven't only wreaked havoc with the Mets' offense as Nelson Figueroa gets the spot start at Chicago because of injuries to Santana and Perez.

Figueroa is 0-3 with a 5.60 ERA in four career starts versus the Cubs.

Zambrano is 4-1 with a 3.76 career ERA in seven starts versus the Mets.

The Cubs, who have won two straight and four of six, are coming off an 11-4 rout of New York on Saturday. They've won four straight and 14 of 19 at Wrigley Field in the series.

Chicago's offense has come to life suddenly, plating 35 runs the past five games after scoring just six times in the previous four. With expectations of Zambrano returning to form, and New York scoring three runs or less in seven of its last 11 games, laying the 1 1/2 runs is worth the investment.