Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Brewers – 04/24/10

Ted Lilly (0-0, -.–/-.–) vs. Doug Davis (0-1, 11.25/2.50)

Updated 4:23pm CDT – Jeff Samardzija Optioned to Triple-A Iowa – Ted Lilly Activated from 15-day DL

It is the return of ‘The Bulldog‘ …The Cubs will try to post back-to-back victories for the first time in 10 days behind Ted Lilly. Lilly threw 88 pitches in his last rehab start and he figures to be on a similar pitch limit tonight.

Not only will Ted Lilly make his 2010 debut, Carlos Zambrano will be available out of the pen and will setup Carlos Marmol … if the Cubs have the lead late in the game. Zambrano has not pitched out of the bullpen since 2002.

Aramis Ramirez is expected back in the starting lineup … along with Alfonso Soriano against the crafty lefty Doug Davis. Reportedly Ramirez spent the past two days working with Rudy Jaramillo. Simply put the Cubs cannot win consistently without production from Aramis Ramirez. Ted Lilly spent the off-season recovering from left shoulder surgery. Lilly was officially placed on the DL back on March 26. He is looking forward to his return this afternoon.

Lilly has been the Cubs most consistent pitcher since the All-Star break in 2008 … and many feel, when healthy, Lilly is the ace of the Cubs’ staff. In his first three years with the Cubs, Lilly has won 44 games and lost 26 in 95 starts.

‘The Bulldog‘ posted a 12-9 record last season in 27 starts with a 3.10 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Tonight will be the first time Lilly has faced Major League hitters since September 30. Lilly lost to the Pirates, 4-0. One of the five shutouts Lilly was on the wrong end of a year ago.

Ted Lilly is 3-2 in eight career games, seven starts, versus Milwaukee with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP … last year, 1-0 in one start with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

Brewers’ Career Numbers against Ted Lilly

• Ryan Braun – 7-for-16 with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and a walk
• Craig Counsell – 0-for-1
• Doug Davis – 0-for-3
• Jim Edmonds – 2-for-11 with a double, a home run and a walk
• Prince Fielder – 8-for-18 with a double, a home run and a walk
• Jody Gerut – 3-for-8 with a double and a walk
• Carlos Gomez – 2-for-3 with a double and a home run
• Corey Hart – 5-for-18 with 3 doubles, a home run and a walk
• Casey McGehee – 2-for-3
• Rickie Weeks – 2-for-13 with 2 home runs and a walk
• Gregg Zaun – 0-for-2

The Cubs must use the same game plan tonight as they did on April 12 against Doug Davis … a lot of patience, make him work and do not swing at his pitch.

Doug Davis has had a rough start to the season. The crafty lefty has not completed five innings in his first three starts. Davis is coming off a bad start against the Nationals. Jim Riggleman’s team scored five runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Davis struck out five and walked one.

Davis has dominated the Cubs during his career. But, as mentioned, Lou Piniella’s crew had the right approach against Davis the last time they faced him.

Doug Davis is 9-7 in 17 career starts against the Cubs with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

Cubs’ Career Numbers against Doug Davis

• Jeff Baker – 4-for-18 with 2 home runs and a walk
• Marlon Byrd – 8-for-21 with a double
• Mike Fontenot – 0-for-3
• Kosuke Fukudome – 0-for-1 with 2 walks
• Koyie Hill – 1-for-1 with a double
• Derrek Lee – 7-for-32 with a double, 3 home runs and 4 walks
• Ted Lilly – 1-for-4
• Xavier Nady – 7-for-21 with 2 home runs and a walk
• Aramis Ramirez – 5-for-26 with a double, 2 home runs and 3 walks
• Alfonso Soriano – 6-for-23 with a home run and a walk
• Geovany Soto – 1-for-10 with a walk
• Ryan Theriot – 5-for-18 with 2 walks
• Chad Tracy – 1-for-3
• Carlos Zambrano – 0-for-5

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