vlaze.com

The good news for Pittsburgh is that Zach Duke fastball was gunned between 90 and 92 miles per hour. The bad news is that Pirate manager John Russell allowed his lefty to throw 116 pitches in his first start of the season. In 5 2/3 innings against the Braves the lefty allowed 10 hits and 2 earned runs with 1 walk while striking out 1. I would expect the Cubs to be a little patient against Duke and work the count and try and get to the Pirates miserable bullpen who's ERA is near 6 and leads Major League Baseball in bases on balls. Ryan Dempster was impressive in his first start of the season against the talented Milwaukee Brewers surrendering only 1 earned run, 3 hits and 5 K's over 6 innings. Dempster the former Cub closer was inserted back as a starter as Kerry Wood now is the Cubs closer. The Cubs hit Duke pretty good as Soriano hits .455, Derrick Lee .400 and Aramis Ramirez .333 against the Buco's lefty.