The Chicago Cubs, winners of seven straight games all at home , look to continue their winning ways on the road against the San Diego Padres Monday in the first game of a three game series at Petco Park. The Cubs will send out their ace RHP Carlos Zambrano (7-1, 2.33 ERA) to deal with the Padres in this game. San Diego will counter with South Korean Cha Seung Baek (1-1, 5.23 ERA). Oddsmakers at online MLB Wagering leader Bodog (Bodoglife.com) have installed the Cubs at 166-moneyline favorites with a 7 ½ run total.
Zambrano may be on a short leash. He is coming off a 130-pitch outing against the Dodgers, his second highest total in his career, and highest this season. Lou Piniella said they'll keep an eye on his pitch count. Big Zambrano did not get a decision in the game, giving up one run on six hits and four walks over eight innings. He had one bad inning, and blamed that on a lack of concentration. It's not Zambrano's first tough loss like this. He threw a complete game on June 16, 2007, against the Padres and lost, 1-0, on Russell Branyan's homer in the ninth. Zambrano is 5-1 when starting against San Diego with an ERA of 2.19 and a WHIP of 1.181.His team's record is 5-3 (+1.3 units) in these starts. The OVER is 4-4. (-0.4 units).
Baek, who was acquired last week from the Seattle Mariners, makes his starting debut for the Padres as a late fill-in for left-hander Shawn Estes, who fractured his left thumb after falling in the dugout tunnel at AT&T Park in San Francisco. As for Baek, who has started and pitched in relief in the past for the Mariners, he struck out the side in relief on Friday, needing just 12 pitches to do so. Manager Bud Black said he's capable of throwing upwards of 80 pitches. Baek has no record against the Cubs.
The Cubs defeated Colorado 5-3 as a -150 favorite on Sunday. The eight runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9.5).
Aramis Ramirez was 3-3 with an RBI and run scored for Chicago, while Alfonso Soriano hit a solo home run in the win.
The Padres lost to San Francisco 4-3 as a +140 underdog last time out. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (7.5).
Adrian Gonzalez was 2-4 with a two-run home run for San Diego, while Randy Wolf allowed only one run on four hits in six innings in a no-decision.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Wagering pick: Chicago Cubbs ml -166
