Cubs -115:
This game today has "HOME TEAM" written all over it.
Matt Clement, who's pitching for the Cubs today, is one of those pitchers who loves to perform in front of the home crowd. Clement has always pitched well at home games. As a matter of fact, his Career ERA at home vs the road is over 2.6 runs lower at home.
Clement has had streaks of wildness in the past. That is NOT the case this year. Clement has been very sharp, as far as control goes this year. So far in 3 starts, he has only walked 4 batters in 19.1 innings. In his last 2 starts, he has been brilliant, striking out 24 and only walking 1 in 14 innings.
Clement faced San Fran once last year. In that start, he pitched very well in picking up the win. He did give up 3 runs in that game, but just allowed 4 hits and 2 walks in 7.2 innings while striking out 8 batters.
Clement has great movement on his pitches and today gets the luxury of having Phil Cuzzi behind the plate. Cuzzi had a very large strikezone last year and is a great matchup for how Clement likes to pitch.
Home Plate Ump Phil Cuzzi is also one of those Umps that likes the fans to enjoy the game. Even though Cuzzi has a large strikezone, this guy will squeeze the visiting pitchers strikezone to a pulp! Game after game, especially if the home team gets a few runners aboard, Cuzzi seems to make the strikezone a little smaller and smaller until a few runs get sqeezed home for the home team. It never fails with this guy.
The home team has won 3 of 4 with Cuzzi behind the plate this year and the home team has won 36 of the last 49 games when Cuzzi's calling the balls and strikes!
Schmidt who's been on the DL looks to get his first start....will probably be on a pitch count, and may be out of there early.
Although I put all my games in as "listed," I did put this one in as action in case Schmidt can't go today.
Good luck.
