Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Cardinals – 07/12/09

Randy Wells (4-3, 2.48/1.09) vs. Adam Wainwright (9-5, 3.09/1.30)

After taking game one behind Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs will try to win the series and sweep the day-night double header behind Randy Wells. The Cubs have a chance to end their first half on an extremely positive note … and go into the break riding a three-game winning streak.

Aramis Ramirez is expected back in the starting lineup after getting game one off … and Derrek Lee reportedly will back at first base after not being able to go in the opener.

While the offense must take advantage of every opportunity against Adam Wainwright, it all starts with Randy Wells … and one win at a time. Randy Wells has been one of the biggest surprises in the National League in the first half of the season. While many saw Wells’ potential, no one could have predicted the way he has pitched through his first 11 big league starts. After not being able to buy a win, Wells has posted a victory in his last four starts.

Wells grew up a Cardinals fan. He will face his former favorite team for the second time this afternoon in arguably the biggest start of his young career. Granted, Wells beat the White Sox but this is the Cubs versus the Cardinals … the ‘second biggest rivals in all of baseball‘ according to ESPN.

Randy Wells is 2-2 in five starts at Wrigley this year with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP … 2-0 in his last two starts with a 2.08 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

Wells tossed a scoreless inning out of the Cubs pen on September 21, 2008 against the Cardinals and tonight will be his first career start against the Redbirds.

• Ryan Ludwick – 0-for-0 with a walk
• Albert Pujols – 0-for-1
• Skip Schumaker – 0-for-1

The second best pitcher in the Cardinals rotation has dominated the Cubs the last few times he’s faced them. Adam Wainwright has quickly become one of the better pitchers in the National League and has been just short of unbeatable of late.

In his last start, Wainwright threw 8 1/3 innings of shutout ball against the Brewers. He scattered seven hits with two walks and nine strikeouts. Following his last outing, Wainwright said all of his pitches are working real well right now. He is pitching with a ton of confidence and his numbers back up his statements.

Wainwright is 1-0 in his last two starts with a 0.52 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP … with five walks and 21 strikeouts. For all of his success this season, Wainwright has given up a lot of runs on the road but his win-loss record is more than impressive … 6-1 in eight starts outside of St. Louis with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

Tonight will be Wainwright’s fourth start of the year against the Cubs. He is 2-0 in the first three with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP.

• Jeff Baker – 1-for-4
• Milton Bradley – 0-for-4
• Mike Fontenot – 4-for-14 with 2 doubles
• Kosuke Fukudome – 4-for-14 with a double and a home run
• Koyie Hill – 0-for-3
• Micah Hoffpauir – 1-for-5
• Reed Johnson – 2-for-3
• Derrek Lee – 6-for-23 with a double and 5 walks
• Aramis Ramirez – 10-for-25 with 4 doubles, a home run and 3 walks
• Alfonso Soriano – 4-for-22 with a double, a triple and 4 walks
• Ryan Theriot – 7-for-28 with 2 doubles and a walk

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….