Preview: Brewers Series

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 24, 2008 9:35 AM CDT

The way it looks right now the matchups for the Brewers series look like this

Monday-Ted Lily vs. CC Sabathia

Tuesday-Zambrano vs. Sheets

Wednesday-Dempster vs. Parra

Thursday-Harden vs. McClung

I'm very glad how this all works out, with Marquis NOT pitching in the series, although he has pitched very well lately.

Soriano has hit Sabathia pretty well as he's batting a .320/.452/.680 with 3 homeruns. Reed has also hit him well at .381/.364/.619 with a homer and two doubles.

The only Cubs who've hit Sheets decently are Lee and Zambrano.

Parra has been great for the Brewers and the Cubs haven't seen him much, with each Cub having only about two at bats against him.

McClungs been decent, posting a 4.13 ERA this year. Alfonso Soriano is 1 for 9 against him and DeRosa's 2-4. Ryan Theriot is also 1-4. No other Cubs have had more than three at bats against him.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Pretty serious pitching matchups there. Needless to say, this

could be a statement series for either team. 3-1 or a sweep could cause a lot of worry for the Cubbies right now. There are some pretty fragile psyches on the team. I have a feeling we might se ea split in this series which wouldn’t be all bad. I still belive both of these teams will make the playoffs. The deadbirds may be done after this month.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 24, 2008 9:42 AM CDT reply actions

Yep a huge series.

I hope we play well against the Marlins and get some momentum going. The Zambrano/Sheets game will be redonkulous!

I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jul 24, 2008 9:48 AM CDT reply actions

That's my hope too.

I’d love to head to Milwaukee with a 5 game winning streak.

Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden. Now that's a pair of Aces.

by sue369 on Jul 24, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd take a split...

but 3 of 4 would be money. As long as the Cubs get back in a groove vs. Florida, the matchup should be really good.

I see the Cardinals fading in the coming weeks, after getting swept today by the Brewers. This will be a two horse race down to the wire, with the final series meaning something. However, I think both will make the playoffs. IMO

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jul 24, 2008 9:57 AM CDT reply actions

You speak the truth, O great one from the north!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jul 24, 2008 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't see a lot

of runs being scored in that series. Wow.

by bms on Jul 24, 2008 10:00 AM CDT reply actions

After looking at this post

I have to say I like this Cubs rotation better, despite CC’s incredible start in MIL.

Calm down.

by Kinky Reggae on Jul 24, 2008 10:03 AM CDT reply actions

In the last Brewers Series FanPost

(there was one just like this a few days ago, with the matchups), Brewfan2 or one of our other Brewers fan visitors said that Dave Bush will take McLung’s spot. Something about how Bush pitches at home, McLung on the road.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 24, 2008 10:07 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah, I said that

Bush and McClung are in a pitching platoon. Bush pitches home games while McClung will pitch away games.

by brewfan2 on Jul 24, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Thought so

Makes sense based on their splits this year. Looking at the matchups, I’m wondering if Piniella deliberately put Lilly up against Sabathia because of the Brewers’ relative struggles against LHP. Might have thought it gives the Cubs a little extra chance to maybe win a pitchers’ duel.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 24, 2008 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Doh! I think I got those splits wrong

There goes that theory. It looks like the Brewers hit RHP 250/318/435 and LHP 271/346/467.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 24, 2008 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions

although I am pumped for this brewers series

I am taking it one game, one series at a time, we have a tough series with the marlins coming up for the next four games, we cant take anything less than 3/4

by cubs2410 on Jul 24, 2008 10:26 AM CDT reply actions

I like the matchups but...

Let’s get 3 out of 4 from the Marlins first!!

by slumpbuster17 on Jul 24, 2008 10:45 AM CDT reply actions

Exactly...

Let’s deal with the Fish-Brains first. I hate those guys. In existence since 1993 and they have two World Series rings. They are like the snotty little brat that gets accepted to Princeton at age 13.

Not liking the Lilly-Sabathia matchup, though… Hopefully Ted keeps his purse…er, his glove… in his hands.

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

by DaBard on Jul 24, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions