Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Diamondbacks – 10/04/09

Ryan Dempster (11-8, 3.51/1.30) vs. Doug Davis (8-14, 4.19/1.53)

For the final time this year … Chicago Cubs Baseball is on the Air! The Cubs play their final game of the season this afternoon against Doug Davis and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Today also concludes a long stretch of games … the Cubs played ball in 56 of the seasons final 59 days.

Ryan Dempster will shoot for his 12th win of the year. Dempster should top the 200-inning mark for the second consecutive year (195 in 30 starts). If Dempster is able to pick up the win this afternoon he would join Ted Lilly (12-9) and Randy Wells (12-10) for tops on the staff.

Today is a rematch of the game in Arizona on April 29. Doug Davis beat Ryan Dempster in the finale of the three-game series, 10-0.

For the last time this season it all starts with Ryan Dempster and winning a ballgame … Ryan Dempster is in the middle of his best stretch of the season. Dempster is coming off his first complete game shutout of his Cubs’ career and has completed at least eight innings of work in three of his last four starts.

Dempster had a lot of personal issues at the beginning of the season … then spent time on the DL. Since his return he has pitched much better than back in April and May. Dempster is a big key for the Cubs moving forward, like his teammates finishing the season on a positive note would be a good way to spend the off-season.

Ryan Dempster is 7-3 in 13 home starts this year with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP … in his last six starts, 3-1 with a 1.39 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Dempster has struck out 33 batters and walked just eight in his last 45 1/3 innings … a big reason for his success.

Today will be Dempster’s second start of the year against Arizona. Dempster took the loss back on April 29. Dempster allowed five runs on six hits in six innings with three walks and four strikeouts.

Ryan Dempster is 1-5 (with a save) in 15 career games, 11 starts, versus the D’Backs with a 5.89 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.

• Eric Byrnes – 0-for-4
• Doug Davis – 0-for-2
• Stephen Drew – 2-for-4 with a double
• Mark Grace – 2-for-12 with 4 walks
• Augie Ojeda – 2-for-5
• Mark Reynolds – 1-for-6 with a walk
• Ryan Roberts – no official at bat – one walk
• Justin Upton – 1-for-6 with a walk
• Chris Young – 0-for-5 with a walk

The Cubs will face an old nemesis to close out the 2009 campaign. Doug Davis has owned the Cubs in recent year … and shut them out back in April in Arizona. Doug Davis has put together a below average season but throw his record and performance out the window when he faces the Cubs.

Davis is the definition of a crafty lefty and he has three speeds on the mound … slow, slower and even slower. Davis will become more and more deliberate as the game progresses, especially with runners on base.

The Cubs must make him work and not swing at his pitch. Granted today is the last game of the year, but going out with a loss against Doug Davis would not be a good way to end the season.

Davis is coming off a loss to the Giants and is 1-3 in his last five starts with a 6.84 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP.

Doug Davis’ best start of the year, by far, came against the Cubs.

Davis is 8-6 in 15 career games against the Cubs with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.

• Jeff Baker – 2-for-13 with a home run and a walks
• Ryan Dempster – 0-for-3
• Mike Fontenot – 0-for-3
• Kosuke Fukudome – 0-for-1 with 2 walks
• Reed Johnson – 2-for-7 with a double
• Derrek Lee – 5-for-27 with a double, 3 home runs and 3 walks
• Aaron Miles – 2-for-11 with 2 walks
• Aramis Ramirez – 5-for-25 with a double, 2 home runs and 2 walks
• Geovany Soto – 0-for-5 with a walk
• So Taguchi – 7-for-23 with a double, a triple and 4 walks
• Ryan Theriot – 5-for-12 with a walk

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball … One more time