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Pujols Matchups

Weekend pitching matchups.

On Friday, the Cardinals will send 10 game winner, Braden Looper to the mound to face the Cubs lefthanded youngster, Rich Hill 6-7, 3.85. Looper has won two straight starts, and 3 of his last 4. His last start, he went 6 innings, allowing just 4 hits and 1 run in a 6-1 win over the LA Dodgers. His outing before that was sharp also, going 6.1 innings, giving up 6 hits, and 4 runs, while striking out 6 in a 10-5 win over the Padres. In Braden’s last start against the Cubs, he went 7 strong innings, allowing just 5 hits and 1 run, in a win for the Cardinals. Braden is 3-2 in his career against the Cubs.

Rich Hill has not won since July 16th, but only has recorded 1 loss in that time, and that was his last outing, against the Rockies. In that game, he went 5.2 innings, gave up 9 hits, 7 runs, all earned, walking 2 and striking out 4. His outing before that he went 7 strong against Houston, but was a 2-1 loser in that game. Rich is 0-0 in his career against St. Louis, with a 5.11 ERA. He has not faced the Cardinals in 07. In his career, Albert is 0-5 against Hill.

Saturday’s game features Anthony Reyes(2-11, 5.48) against Sean Marshall(5-6, 4.25). Reyes was very impressive his last start, going 6 innings in a 12-2 win over the Dodgers. His start before that, was impressive also but was defeated by Jake Peavy and the Padres. Reyes is 0-1 on the year against the Cubs, going 6 innings, giving up 4 hits, 4 runs in the loss to the Cubs. Reyes is 0-4 lifetime against the Cubs.

Sean Marshall has dropped two of his last three decisions going just 2.2, 5.1 and 5 innings, giving up 22 hits and 15 runs in those three starts. His last win was July 28th in a 6-1 win over the Reds. Marshall is 0-0 in his career against the Cardinals. He has yet to face the Cardinals in 07. Albert is 1-4 in his career against Marshall.

On Sunday, Kip Wells(6-13, 5.24) will take on Carlos Zambrano(14-9, 3.86) in the Sunday Night ESPN Baseball game of the week. Kip has won his last two starts, and has not lost since July 24th, against the Cubs. His last two starts combined he has went 13 innings, 10 hits, and just 4 runs in 12-4 win over the Brewers, and 2-1 win over the Padres. Kip is 3-4 lifetime against the Cubs.

Zambrano has dropped his last two starts for the Cubs, in his effort to pick up win #15 on the season. Carlos last start against the Cardinals in July, he went 6.1 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs in a 4-3 Cub win. His last start he was beat around a bit by the Reds, giving up 13 hits and 6 runs in just over 5 innings pitched. Carlos is 7-4 in his career against the Cardinals. This year, Albert is 1-6 with a homerun, and rbi. For his career, Pujols hits Zambrano at a .205 clip with 3 homeruns and 7 rbi’s.

Monday’s game will pit Joel Pinero, against Ted Lilly. We will have more on this matchup later!

GOOD LUCK PUJOLS AND THE CARDINALS!!!