Anyone who has followed the Cubs or the career of starter Carlos Zambrano for the last few years knows just how significant Miller Park is. The home of the Brewers was the place, three years ago, that Big Z threw his first and only no-hitter. That game, against the Astros, was played at Miller Park because of a hurricane threatening Houston and the surrounding area.
Coincidentally, the starter taking the mound for the Brewers tonight was present at that game. Randy Wolf was a member of the Astros in 2008, and he will be hoping that Big Z doesn't repeat his success at Miller Park. Zambrano is still looking for his first win of the season, after earning a no decision in his start against the Pirates. Against the Brewers, Zambrano is 12-8 over 28 starts with a 3.66 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. Zambrano has handled Brewer threats Ryan Braun and Ricky Weeks well -- Braun is hitting just .257 against Zambrano, while Weeks has an average of .190. He'll have to watch out for Prince Fielder, however, who is 14-for-41 with 14 walks and two home runs.
Randy Wolf has struggled against the Cubs during his career. He's 5-9 across 19 starts with a 4.47 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He is also winless on the season, after giving up six earned runs in a 12-1 loss at Cincinnati. Geovany Soto hits Wolf the best. He's 6-for-19 with two home runs and six RBIs. Carlos Zambrano himself, meanwhile, is 3-for-5 against Wolf with a double.
Miller Park's roof will most likely be closed tonight, with temperatures forecast in the low 40s. First pitch is at 7:10 P.M. CDT, and the game will be televised on CSN+ and WMLW 41.