Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Live Streaming

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7:05 pm EDT Wed Jun 2, 2010

Initially unhappy, Carlos Zambrano said he was willing to do whatever the Chicago Cubs felt was best for the team after learning of his relegation to the bullpen in late April. Right now, the most significant thing he can do is help his club figure out a way to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates. Zambrano returns to the rotation for the first time in six weeks Wednesday night as the Cubs desperately look to avoid a three-game sweep and a 10th loss in 11 games to Pittsburgh. Zambrano spent time as a reliever during his early days in Chicago, but a move back to the bullpen seemed unfathomable as the right-hander became the Cubs’ ace over the past seven seasons. Yet that’s exactly what happened after Zambrano’s first four starts. Chicago cited Zambrano’s relief experience and his ability to stabilize a shaky bullpen as its reasons for the move when Ted Lilly returned to the rotation, but a 1-2 record and a 7.45 ERA certainly played a part.

With starter Tom Gorzelanny struggling recently, the Cubs finally decided it was time to stick the three-time All-Star - 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in 13 relief appearances - back in the rotation. Zambrano’s toughest outing as a reliever came May 14 against Pittsburgh. He came into a 6-6 game in the eighth inning but failed to retire any of the first five Pirates he faced, with Garrett Jones’ three-run homer the key blow in a 10-6 loss. Jones, who homered Tuesday, is hitting .467 with three homers and 12 RBIs against Chicago in 2010. Zambrano is 7-1 with a 3.61 ERA in his last 11 starts at PNC Park, and the Cubs certainly would love to see him pitch well Wednesday. Neil Walker’s two-run homer - the first of his career - in the eighth inning Tuesday turned the Pirates’ one-run deficit into a one-run lead, and Octavio Dotel closed out the 3-2 win for his fifth save versus Chicago. Pittsburgh has won seven of eight against the Cubs this season, and outscored them 52-23 in winning nine of 10 since Sept. 30. Chicago is hitting .197 and has been held to 11 runs over its last six games overall.