Cubs' Lilly takes hill vs. Reds

Baseball Betting Lines

04/22/2009 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago's Ted Lilly will try for a rare win over Cincinnati tonight, when the Cubs resume their three-game set with the Reds at Wrigley Field.

Lilly is just 1-5 with a 5.24 earned run average in nine career starts versus the Reds. He faced them four times in 2008 and lost all four outings, pitching to an 8.15 ERA. Lilly allowed 16 runs in 17 2/3 innings versus Cincinnati a season ago.

However, the left-hander is off to a solid start in 2009. He has posted wins over Houston and Colorado in his two starts and will pitch for the first time tonight since April 13 thanks to Sunday's rain out versus St. Louis.

Lilly faced the Rockies in his last start and threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up only a hit and two walks while striking out eight.

Johnny Cueto goes for the Reds and hasn't had the success that Lilly has had so far this year. Cueto lost his first start of the season to Pittsburgh back on April 11 and then faced Houston on Friday. He gave up just a run, but also yielded two hits and six walks in 4 2/3 innings of a no-decision.

In four career starts versus the Cubs, the right-handed Cueto is 1-3 with a 4.68 ERA.

The Cubs captured a 7-2 win in Tuesday's series opener. Aramis Ramirez had three hits and three runs batted in for Chicago.

Micah Hoffpauir hit a solo home run, collecting a pair of RBI, and Ryan Theriot had two hits and an RBI for the Cubs, who most recently took two of three from bitter division rival St. Louis in a rain-shortened home set.

Rich Harden (1-1) picked up his first win of the season in three chances, hurling six strong innings and fanning eight while giving up two runs on just three hits and two walks.

Jay Bruce drove in both Cincinnati runs with a solo shot and RBI single for the Reds, who were coming off taking three of four at Houston.

Micah Owings (0-2) lost for the second time in as many outings this season, yielding five runs -- two earned -- on five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 frames.

Chicago won eight of its 15 games against the Reds last season, including six of the nine encounters contested in the Windy City.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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