News and Notes 8/30

• Jose Tabata continues to be a hitting machine; 12-for-28, .428 AVG, two home runs, two walks and four RBI in his past seven games.

Since being called up from Triple-A Indy on June 9th, Tabata has accumulated 87 hits which is only one behind Albert Pujols during that span.

“Albert Pujols? Really? Come on,” Tabata pressed.

Batting .312, he is second among all Major League Rookies with a minimum of 300 plate apperances; Buster Posey is the leader.

If that isn’t enough, Tabata’s 59 hits since the All-Star break are second-most in the league, behind the Cubs Starlin Castro.

• The Pirates face the Cubs for the final three games of the season starting today. This season the Buccos have “owned” Chicago winning 9-of-12 games. Ryan Doumit is 8-for-17 against Zambrano, so I would expect him to be in the line-up today playing right field. 

Monday’s Pitching Matchup:

Paul Maholm 7-12, 4.82 ERA

VS

Carlos Zambrano 5-6, 4.64 ERA

Maholm is 7-1 in 12 career starts against the Cubs with a 5.70 ERA. His last start on June 28th against Chicago, Paul gave up one run on seven hits through eight innings.   

Zambrano has made four starts since returning to the rotation on Aug. 9. He is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. On Tuesday against the Nationals, Carlos allowed one run on five hits through 7.1 innings.