Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Reds – 04/05/07

Jason Marquis (0-0, -.–) vs. Kyle Lohse (0-0, -.–)

The Cubs will look to take the rubber game of the series against the Reds in Jason Marquis’ debut. The Cubs offense showed improvement on Wednesday night but they left nine on base and in the first two games a total of seventeen. Marquis has to keep the ball in the park against Griffey and Dunn who are a combined 7 for 31 with 1 home run against him. Jason Marquis is 4-3 in 10 career starts against the Reds with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Last season he was 0-1 in one start against the Reds and lasted just 2 2/3 innings….he gave up 4 runs on 9 hits at Great American Ball Park. Marquis has made 7 career starts at Great American and is 3-2 with a 4.38 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. In 39 innings he has given up 44 hits, 7 home runs, struck out 21 and walked 18. Marquis will get an early test against a high scoring offense he has historically had trouble with. Marquis had a decent spring and finished strong in the finale against the Mariners on Saturday, now it is time to see if Larry Rothschild was able to get through to the very talented but underachieving pitcher.

Kyle Lohse will make his second career start against the Cubs on Thursday. Last season the Cubs recorded 6 runs, 5 earned, on 7 hits in just 3 innings of work on September 23rd. One of the two home runs Lohse gave up in the rain that night was to Carlos Zambrano. He was 5-10 last season with a 5.83 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP for the Reds and the Twins with a 3-5 record and a 1.41 WHIP as a Cincinnati Red. Lefties hit a robust .290 against Lohse but right-handers hit an unbelievable .324 against him.

The Cubs could benefit from Lohse being on the mound with Marquis making the start. The Cubs will have to score plenty of runs when Marquis is on the mound and facing Kyle Lohse might allow them to put up a win and give Jason Marquis a little confidence to start the season.

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….