Chicago's recent upswing took a hit with consecutive losses to the Nationals this week. The losing skid will reach three today for the Cubs against the D-backs.
Our Thursday afternoon MLB selection on the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road in Second City over the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs must be happy to have starter Ted Lilly back in the rotation, especially with the meltdown and subsequent demotion of Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen. Lilly came back last Saturday and pitched well in his return from offseason shoulder surgery throwing six innings against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
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However, he was lifted after throwing 78 pitches because his back stiffened and it was back problems which forced the veteran left-hander to delay his rehab starts, putting him behind schedule coming out of spring training.
D-backs right-hander Ian Kennedy may have gotten off to a slow start but it's only a matter of time before he gets his first victory. After two subpar starts against the Padres and Dodgers, Kennedy came back in his last two to throw a combined 13 innings, surrendering only two earned runs while striking out 11 and walking only four.
The last start in particular was impressive as Kennedy went eight quality innings against the high-powered Phillies offense and only a bullpen meltdown in that outing prevented him from getting his first victory of the season.
Lilly has faced the D-backs seven times in his career (five starts) and only has two wins to show for it. Last season, these teams met six times and the D-Backs took four of the six meetings, including two of three from the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Take Arizona.
Free Pick: Diamondbacks +150