Both Atlanta and Chicago have been on the winning side as of late with Atlanta winning 4 in a row and 6-4 Last 10 while Chicago enters tonight winning 2 in a row and 8-2 Last 10. Minor starts for Atlanta and 1-2 4.85 ERA while Zambrano is 9-6 4.46 ERA. Zambrano is 3-1 2.92 Last 4 outings but has a few contol issues to iron out as he has given up more walks than normal. In 141 Innings Pitched this season, Zambrano has given up 14 Home Runs with 9 of those in road starts and 3 in his last three games. Zambrano is 2-4 5.38 ERA lifetime versus Atlanta. Minor in a considerably less 39 Innings Pitched has given up 0 Home Runs. Minor is 1-0 4.50 ERA lifetime versus Chicago. Chicago is 22-35 against teams with a winning record while Atlanta is 51-32 against Right Handed Starters. Uggla is .111 career versus Zambrano, but with a hitting streak in full swing may change those numbers tonight. We will focus on the probability of Zambrano still suffering from control problems combined with his tendency to give up Home Runs on the road. We will look to the Over 4 -135 First Five Innings in expectation of Atlanta being able to get men aboard and manufacture runs. Minor had 10+ strikeouts last time out, but usually takes an inning or two for him to dial in. If Chicago bats tag him early for a run or two, it may be difficult for Chicago to produce more runs in the middle innings where Minor seems to be more effective. Source: ESPN MLB Preview
Tonight is Bobby Cox Night in Atlanta. Tonight is the night of all nights where a starting pitcher does not want to be a goat. Minor must focus on the task at hand and not get side tracked with the festivities. I look for him to have his game face on and then some. We shall see as OMT says.
