Chicago at Pittsburgh

Zach Duke began his career in '05 and posted an eye-opening 8-2 record with a 1.81 ERA. He has since been plagued by elbow problems, but for the first time he is pitching free and easy. There certainly may be some value on him early in '08 as he becomes more like the pitcher we saw in '05, than the one we have seen since. He allowed just two runs in 5.2 innings against the Braves in his '08 debut. Ryan Dempster spent all of the last two years pitching out of the bullpen. He started his first five games back in '05 but couldn't get it done (1-3, 5.67) as a starter. This will be a tough start for him, coming back after six innings for the first time in three years. He has never had success against the Pirates, as he sports a 3-7 mark with a lofty 6.04 ERA over 92 innings of work. We like the Pirates to get it done at home here.