Monday, May 30th, 2011

MLB 2011 Game #3: Astros vs. Cubs

Susan and I are celebrating Memorial Day by heading to Wrigley Field for my first Chicago Cubs game of the year. This is my first game at Wrigley Field since the San Francisco Giants, en route to their first World Series title since leaving New York, mauled the Cubs 13-0 on September 23, 2010. That game was over when the Giants scored nine runs in the second inning.

I can't say today's pitching matchup has any appeal. The Houston Astros will send Aneury Rodriguez (0-2, 4.98 ERA) to the mound. He has allowed only three runs in his last 11 1/3 innings, but has yet to record a win this season. The Cubs counter with the recently acquired Rodrigo Lopez (0-0, 0.00 ERA). Lopez was acquired on May 26 from the Atlanta Braves. He's 35 years old, and was 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA for the Braves Triple-A Gwinnett team this season. He's been in the major leagues since 2000 and has pitched for the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Current National League Central Division Standings:

St. Louis Cardinals 32-22 .593 ---
Milwaukee Brewers 29-24 .547 2.5 GB
Cincinnati Reds 27-27 .500 5.0 GB
Pittsburgh Pirates 24-27 .471 6.5 GB
Chicago Cubs 23-28 .451 7.5 GB
Houston Astros 19-34 .358 12.5 GB