Game Thirty-Eight: Cubs (17-20) vs. Giants (21-17)
Game Time – 6:10pm CDT
Coverage – TV: FOX Saturday Night Baseball – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 89
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Doug Davis (0-0, -.–/-.–) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (2-0, 3.05/0,97)
Updated – 1:21pm CDT – Thomas Diamond removed from 40-man roster and outrighted to Triple-A Iowa
Updated – 2:59pm CDT – Cubs selected the contract of Doug Davis and added Davis to 40-man Roster, which now stands at 39. Justin Berg Optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Davis on active roster
Weather permitting … the Cubs will play under the lights on a Saturday at Wrigley for the first time since August 21, 2002, the second game of a doubleheader. The last time a game was scheduled for a Saturday night at the old ballyard was June 20, 1998.
Tonight will feature the Cubs debut of an old nemesis, Doug Davis. The veteran southpaw signed a minor league contract with the Cubs soon after Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner was placed on the DL. After two minor league rehab starts, Davis will throw his first pitch at the Major League level since July 9, 2010.
The Cubs are just 2-8 in the 10 games started by Casey Coleman and James Russell and are looking for Davis to give them a little stability while Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner work their way back. Wells’ will make his first rehab start Tuesday with the Peoria Chiefs.
The Cubs will have to make a roster move prior to tonight’s game. Doug Davis will be added to the Cubs 40-man roster (which currently stands at 39) and one of the relievers will be sent to Iowa to make room for Davis on the active roster. Justin Berg is the prime candidate for the demotion.
Aramis Ramirez is expected back in the lineup tonight. Ramirez flew home to the Dominican to attend his sister’s wedding.
Tonight it all begins with Doug Davis … Doug Davis will make his first start of the season … and his Cubs debut tonight. Davis was a thorn in the Cubs side for many years and actually put together some of his best outings against the Cubs.
Davis made two starts in the Cubs’ minor league system, the last one coming with the I-Cubs last Tuesday.
The Cubs are looking for innings from Davis tonight.
Doug Davis was 1-4 in eight games last season for Milwaukee with a 7.51 ERA and a 1.98 WHIP … and owns a career-mark of 91-101 in 297 games, 277 starts, with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
Davis’ last start came on July 9, 2010 against the Pirates. Davis received a no decision game won by the Brewers 5-4.
Davis is 5-8 in 20 career games, 19 starts, against the Giants with a 4.72 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP.
Giants Career Numbers against Doug Davis
- Pat Burrell – 1-for-13 with a double
- Mark DeRosa – 1-for-6
- Mike Fontenot – 0-for-3
- Aubrey Huff – 1-for-3
- Cody Ross – 6-for-15 with 2 doubles, a home run and 5 walks
- Aaron Rowand – 8-for-29 with 6 walks
- Freddy Sanchez – 17-for-37 with 5 doubles, a home run and 4 walks
- Miguel Tejada – 4-for-16 with a double, a home run and 3 walks
- Andres Torres – 3-for-7 with 2 triples and 2 walks
- Ryan Vogelsong – 1-for-2
The Cubs will get their first look at Ryan Vogelsong since the 2006 season. The former Pittsburgh Pirate was originally drafted by the Giants in 1998 and has not pitched at the big league level since 2006.
Vogelsong has thrown the ball extremely well this season and many are wondering what will happen to him when Barry Zito returns.
Vogelsong is coming off an impressive win against the Rockies. The 32-year old right hander kept Colorado off the board for 6 1/3 innings. Vogelsong gave up only one hit and issued only one free pass to go along with four strikeouts.
Vogelsong is 1-4 in five career starts, 11 games, against the Cubs with a 7.59 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP … at Wrigley, 0-3 in six games, three starts, with a 9.00 ERA and a 1.93 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Ryan Vogelsong
- Marlon Byrd – 1-for-8
- Doug Davis – 0-for-2
- Koyie Hill – 0-for-1
- Aramis Ramirez – 5-for-12 with 2 home runs and a walk
- Alfonso Soriano – 0-for-1
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