Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Pirates – 09/30/09

Carlos Zambrano (9-6, 3.69/1.37) vs. Jeff Karstens (3-5, 5.45/1.49)

Final from Game One – Cubs 0 Pirates 4

Ted Lilly took the loss in game one after the Cubs’ offense was silenced by Charlie Morton. The Cubs managed only four hits, three by Ryan Theriot, and Morton picked up the first complete game shutout of his career … will have full recap up later tonight. Wednesday afternoon was the fifth time this season Ted Lilly was on the wrong end of a shutout.

Carlos Zambrano will face Jeff Karstens in game two. No word yet whether Derrek Lee will be in the lineup or not. Koyie Hill will be behind the plate in game two.

Tonight it all starts with Carlos Zambrano, for the last time this season, and just winning a ballgame … Carlos Zambrano will make his last start of the season tonight. Zambrano threatened earlier in the week that he would retire following the 2010 season if he has a repeat performance of 2009. Zambrano has all of the ability to be one of the best in the game … and he has shown that over his last two outings.

Zambrano is coming off a complete game, two-hit shutout against the Giants. Zambrano was on top of his game … and many feel he actually threw the ball better than the night he no-hit the Astros in Miller Park.

Big Z is 2-4 in 12 home starts this season with a very high 4.94 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP.

Carlos Zambrano has pitched better than his win-loss record indicates this season. He has kept his team in just about every game, sans his three starts in August, and like the rest of his staff mates he’s been a victim of little to no run support this season.

After a horrible August (0-2 in three starts with a 10.13 ERA and a 2.53 WHIP, including a stint on the DL), Zambrano is 2-0 in his last five starts with a 2.81 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP … right in line with every other month this season.

Tonight will be Zambrano’s third start of the year against the Pirates … Big Z is 1-0 in the first two with a 2.19 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP.

• Ronny Cedeno – 2-for-3
• Ryan Doumit – 5-for-14 with a double and 3 walks
• Jason Jaramillo – 0-for-6
• Garrett Jones – 1-for-3
• Andy LaRoche – 1-for-6 with a double and a walk
• Andrew McCutchen – 1-for-2 with a double and a walk
• Lastings Milledge – 1-for-3
• Brandon Moss – 3-for-11 with a home run
• Steve Pearce – 1-for-4 with a walk
• Ramon Vazquez – 5-for-12 with 3 walks
• Delwyn Young – 0-for-7 with a walk

Jeff Karstens was inserted into the Pirates rotation when Ross Ohlendorf was shutdown for the season following his last start on September 19. Karstens will make his second start in a row after not starting a game since June 5. The Pirates see Karstens as a part of their rotation next season.

Karstens threw the ball extremely well in his last outing against the Dodgers. He completed only three innings and did not qualify for the win. Karstens allowed one run on three hits in three innings … the Pirates beat the Dodgers 3-1.

Tonight will be Karstens’ sixth road start of the season. He is 1-2 on the road in 17 games, five starts, with a 5.54 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.

For his career, Karstens is 1-1 in three games, two starts, versus the Cubs with a 5.73 ERA and a 1.82. He dominated Lou Piniella’s lineup on August 1, 2008. The Cubs could not score a single run off Karstens in six innings.

• Jeff Baker – 0-for-1
• Mike Fontenot – 1-for-3 with a walk
• Kosuke Fukudome – 0-for-4 with a walk
• Koyie Hill – 1-for-1
• Micah Hoffpauir – 1-for-1 with a double
• Derrek Lee – 2-for-5 with a walk
• Aramis Ramirez – 3-for-5 with a home run
• Bobby Scales – 0-for-1
• Geovany Soto – 0-for-4
• Ryan Theriot – 0-for-2 with a walk
• Carlos Zambrano – 0-for-2

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball….