Free MLB Pick: Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: August 20th 2009

Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Free MLB Pick: Chicago Cubs (+130 odds)
Thu August 20th 2009 10:10p
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Gorzo put forth a solid effort in his Wrigley Field debut against his former mates. He limited the Buccos to just three hits and an ER through five innings of work to improve his mark to2-1 as a member of the Chicago Cubs. Overall, the southpaw is 5-2 with a 5.24 ERA & 1.16 WHIP allowing 18 hits and 13 ER’s through 22.1 innings of work with a K/BB ratio of 22/8. His fastball has had some nice giddy-up to it since his return to the Bigs, and he came up just a strikeout short of his all time high of nine against the Pirates. This will be his first look at the Dodgers since the 2007 season.

Righty Jeff Weaver gets the starting nod from the Dodgers skipper in this spot. It would have originally gone to Hiroki Kuroda had he not been beamed in the head with a line drive his last start. He’s 5-4 with a 3.77 ERA & 1.47 WHIP through 62 total innings of work in ‘09. He’s started six games for LA this season going 2-1 with a 3.08 ERA. He’s been at his best at Dodgers Stadium where he’s 2-0 with a 3.11 ERA and 28 K’s in 37.2 total innings. He last faced the Cubs in 2007 as a member of the Mariners.

So, Chicago returns to the scene of the crime where the three-game sweep was ultimately pulled out in the 2008 Playoffs. With both of these teams struggling at the moment, anything can happen in this series. Usually in a match up like tonight, I’m inclined to grab the points or go with the +$$$. Do exactly that to have a rooting interest in Game 1 of this series…