• Cubs Convention
  • Interviews
  • MLB Transaction Glossary | Rules
    • Major League Baseball Transactions Glossary
    • MLB Rule 7.13 – Collisions at Home Plate
    • MLB Slide Rule on Double Plays Adopted for 2016 Season
  • Archives
    • Chicago Cubs Online General Info
    • Community Blog Archives
    • CCO Cubs-Metrics
    • CCO Cubs Podcast
    • CCO Feedback
    • CCO Predictions
    • CCO Opinion – You Know Better
    • The CCO Wrigley Perspective
    • Fantasy Baseball
    • The Northside Media Guide
  • Cubstory

Chicago Cubs Online

A Site for The Cubs Faithful Since 2005

  • Home
  • News | Transactions
    • News and Transactions
    • Cubs Regular Season Notes
    • Cubs Spring Training News Reports
    • Cubs Off-Season News Reports
  • Minor Leagues
    • Cubs Down on the Farm Report – 2008 to Present
    • Minor League Transactions Glossary
    • Cubs Minor League Players and Pitchers of the Year 1990 – 2017
    • Minor League Updates – 2005-2007
  • Rumors
    • If The Ivy Could Talk – Cubs Rumors
  • Game Day
    • Let’s Play 2 – Game Recap
    • Talkin’ Cubs Live
    • Cactus League-Spring Training
  • Opinion
    • The CCO, Live from Wrigleyville
    • Notes from the Soap Box
  • 40-Man Roster | Contracts
Chicago Cubs Online > Talkin' Cubs Live > Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Nationals – 04/28/10

Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Nationals – 04/28/10

April 28, 2010 10:10 am By Neil Leave a Comment

Game Twenty-Two: Cubs (10-11) vs. Nationals (11-10)
Game Time – 1:20pm CDT
Coverage – TV: Comcast SportsNet – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channel 188
Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago

Ryan Dempster (2-0, 2.60/1.08) vs. Luis Atilano (1-0, 1.50/1.17)

Lou Piniella’s crew will look to bounce back and try to reach .500 again today behind Ryan Dempster. The offense and defense must step up in order for the Cubs to win their second series in a row. It will be interesting to see how the Cubs approach Luis Atilano in his second big league start. The Cubs have struggled in the recent past with pitchers like Atilano.

Look for Koyie Hill behind the plate and possibly Xavier Nady in the field. Piniella said earlier in the week he wanted to get Nady some at bats against right-handed pitching. The other lineup question … will Piniella get Tyler Colvin and Chad Tracy in today and possibly give Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano a breather?

From the disturbing stat department … John Grabow’s error in the eighth inning on Tuesday night was the 17th error committed by a Cubs pitcher in the first 21 games.

Today begins a string of five day games in a row before a much-needed day off on Monday after 19 in a row … The Cubs number one right-handed starter should be 4-0 on the season but bullpen problems and little run support have cost him two wins. Ryan Dempster has thrown the ball extremely well. Dempster has shown very good command but the biggest difference is the amount of free passes he has issued so far this year. In 27 2/3 innings Dempster has walked only nine while striking out 26 … a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio is key for Dempster’s success.

Ryan Dempster is coming off a win against the Brewers (one run on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings with a walk and four strikeouts) and has pitched into the eighth inning in his last two starts.

At Wrigley this year Dempster is 1-0 in two starts with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.

Today will be Ryan Dempster’s 13th career start against the Nationals/Expos organization. Dempster has never lost (7-0 in 20 games, 12 starts, with two saves and a complete game shutout with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP) to Washington Nationals franchise.

Dempster last faced the Nationals in 2008 … 1-0 in two starts with a 1.88 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP.

Nationals’ Career Numbers against Ryan Dempster

  • Adam Dunn – 4-for-11 with a double, a home run and 10 walks
  • Cristian Guzman – 2-for-5 with 2 doubles
  • Willie Harris – 2-for-4 with a walk
  • Adam Kennedy – 2-for-8
  • Nyjer Morgan – 0-for-4 with a walk
  • Wil Nieves – 0-for-6
  • Ivan Rodriguez – 0-for-7 with a walk
  • Willy Taveras – 1-for-7
  • Josh Willingham – 1-for-4 with a double and 2 walks
  • Ryan Zimmerman – 5-for-10 with a walk

The Cubs will get their first look at Luis Atilano. The soon-to-be 25-year old right-hander (May 10, 1985) beat the Dodgers in his first big league start on April 23. Atilano held the Dodgers to one run on five hits in six innings with two walks and a strikeout.

The Cubs must make the rookie work … especially early on. Today will be his second Major League start and appearance.

Baseball America ranked Luis Atilano the 20th best prospect in the Nationals’ organization prior to this season. The Braves picked Atilano in the supplemental round of the 2003 draft (35th overall pick) but traded him to the Nationals for Daryle Ward in 2006.

Atilano throws a heavy sinker in the 89-92 range and possesses an above average changeup.

Follow the CCO on Twitter

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …

Filed Under: Talkin' Cubs Live Tagged With: Koyie Hill, Ryan Dempster, Tyler Colvin, Xavier Nady

Archives


Memories of Mr. Cub

A Tribute to Mr. Cub

Forever, THE Cub
What is Eamus Catuli
What is Eamus Catuli?
Lakeview Baseball Club

Subscribe to the CCO

Get Cubs Updates in Your Inbox

Tweets by TheCCO

Stats


Trips to the North Side

Copyright © 2021 5 & 11 Online Productions
Privacy Policy | Commenting Policy | About | Contact
ChicagoCubsOnline.com is not affiliated with the Chicago National League Ballclub

7ads6x98y