The Cubs are attempting to do something Saturday they haven't done since August of 2008. Win seven games in a row. There are many differences between the 2008 and 2011 squads, the most important being the 2008 club won the division. The 2011 Cubs have virtually no shot at a division title but winning still makes it fun to come to the park each day and gives the fans a reason to watch.
Carlos Zambrano will get the start for the Cubs Saturday. Zambrano comes in to Saturday's start with an 8-6 record and an ERA of 4.46. In his most recent start, Big Z got the win going six innings in Pittsburgh allowing just one earned run. Zambrano had great success against the Reds with the exception of his last start against Cincinnati in May. Prior to that 7-4 loss, the Cubs righty was 7-1 with an ERA of 1.56 in his previous eight starts against the Reds.
The Reds have the right man on the mound to end the Cubs winning streak with Johnny Cueto getting the start. Cueto is 7-4 this season with an ERA of just 1.72. The Reds right-hander is coming off a complete game shutout in his last start Sunday against the Giants. Cueto has allowed just one run in his last 19 innings against the Cubs.
The forecast at the time of first pitch is temps in the 80's under partly cloudy skies. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 CST. The game will be televised on CSN.