Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Reds – 08/20/08

Ted Lilly (12-6, 4.32/1.35) vs. Bronson Arroyo (10-10, 5.51/1.52)

Lou Piniella’s crew will try to win the second game of the series and of the homestand behind Ted Lilly. Tonight’s game is a rematch from the slugfest at Wrigley on July 10th in which the Reds pounded the Cubs 12-7 and hit 7 long balls. Lilly did not make it out of the 3rd inning and 5 different Cubs’ pitchers served up a least one long ball, including Chad Gaudin in his Cubs’ debut. Bronson Arroyo did not pitch a lot better than Lilly, but lasted long enough to qualify for the win.

This is the last night game of the very important homestand…. Ted Lilly is coming off a win in his last start against the Braves. Lilly did not have his best stuff and still managed to pick up his 12th win of the season despite giving up 4 runs on 8 hits in 6 innings with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts….it was the first start since facing the Reds on July 10th that Lilly did not notch a quality start.

Lilly is 2-0 in his last 3 starts with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

Lilly has struggled mightily against the Reds this season, in fact he has been rocked. Lilly is 0-2 in 2 starts with a 9.35 ERA and a 1.96 WHIP while the Reds have hit a remarkable .316 against him. The Reds are also responsible for 3 of the 27 home runs Lilly has allowed this season.

Lilly must throw strikes and keep the ball down or it will be a long night for the bullpen.

• Bronson Arroyo – 1-for-3
• Paul Bako – 0-for-3
• Jolbert Cabrera – 3-for-7
• Edwin Encarnacion – 4-for-14 with a double and 2 home runs
• Jerry Hairston, Jr. – 5-for-22 with 3 doubles and a home run
• Jeff Keppinger – 4-for-11
• Corey Patterson – 1-for-8
• Brandon Phillips – 1-for-15 with a home run
• Joey Votto – 4-for-9 with a double and a home run

The Cubs will get their second look of the season at Bronson Arroyo tonight, but which Arroyo will they face? Arroyo struggled in June and went 1-3 in 6 starts with an 8.26 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP while opponents hit .347 against him. Since June Arroyo has improved and is 1-2 in his last 3 starts with a 3.93 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

On the road this season Arroyo is 5-4 in 12 starts with a 7.47 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP while teams have hit .340 against him.

Arroyo was the benefactor of a ton of offense the last time he faced the Cubs back on July 10th. The Reds beat the Cubs 12-7 on getaway day and Arroyo gave up 5 runs on 7 hits with 3 walks and 2 strikeouts in 5 innings.

Arroyo is 5-6 in 16 career games, 14 starts, versus the Cubs with a 3.45 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.

• Ronny Cedeno – 3-for-15 with a double
• Jim Edmonds – 7-for-27 with a double and a home run
• Mike Fontenot – 2-for-2 with a double and a home run
• Kosuke Fukudome – 0-for-3
• Reed Johnson – 3-for-11
• Derrek Lee – 6-for-24 with a double, 2 home runs and 5 walks
• Ted Lilly – 0-for-4
• Aramis Ramirez – 7-for-30 with a double
• Alfonso Soriano – 8-for-34 with 5 doubles and a home run
• Geovany Soto – 1-for-4
• Ryan Theriot – 6-for-18 with a double

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….