Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Diamondbacks – 07/06/10

Carlos Silva (8-2, 2.96/1.08) vs. Barry Enright (1-0, 1.80/1.60)

The Cubs finally won a series opener on Monday … can Lou’s crew make it two in a row tonight against the D’Backs? The Cubs have not won back-to-back games since June 16 – June 17 against the A’s and the last time they won three in a row was nearly six weeks ago … the end of May (May 22, 23 and May 25). The Cubs are 12-21 in their last 33 games.

Carlos Silva will make his first start since finding out he will not be participating in the Mid-Summer Classic next week. Silva made it no secret that he wanted to be named to the NL All-Star team.

The Cubs made a change to their pen prior to Monday’s game. Justin Berg was recalled from Iowa and Jeff Stevens was optioned out after his horrible outing on Sunday. Piniella needs a long outing from Silva tonight after going to his pen early and often on Monday. Tonight is game 15 of 20 straight leading up to the All-Star break.

Derrek Lee should be back in the lineup after missing Monday’s opener … as well as Alfonso Soriano. Soriano delivered a two-run, pinch-hit homer but was not in Piniella’s starting nine. Aramis Ramirez hit the ball extremely well Monday afternoon and was robbed of a couple of extra base hits. Piniella mentioned that Ramirez could remain down in the sixth spot in the lineup for a while to take a little pressure off of him.

Tonight it all begins with Carlos Silva … Carlos Silva is the only starter in the Cubs’ rotation with a winning record … and it should be better than an 8-2 mark. Silva has not posted a win since June 7 but has allowed a total of nine earned runs in his last four starts. The Cubs have lost each of those starts by 2-1, 7-6, 3-2 and 3-2 final scores. Silva is 0-2 in his last four outings with a 3.04 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

Silva is coming off a no-decision to the Reds. Silva surrendered 11 hits in 7 2/3 innings but allowed only two runs. Silva has walked only three batters in his last four games while striking out 20.

Silva received a no-decision the last time he faced the D’Backs on May 1. Silva surrendered five run on eight hits in five innings with three walks and six strikeouts. The five earned runs against Arizona is a season-high for Silva and marked the last time he did not pitch into the sixth inning.

Tonight will be Silva’s third career start versus the D’Backs. He is 0-1 in two career starts, seven games, with a 6.75 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP. Silva is 4-0 in six road starts this season with a 3.06 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP … Silva is 0-1 in one career start, five games, at Chase Field with a 6.23 ERA and a 2.19 WHIP.

Diamondbacks Career Numbers against Carlos Silva

• Stephen Drew – 0-for-3
• Kelly Johnson – 3-for-8 with a walk
• Adam LaRoche – 0-for-2 with a walk
• Mark Reynolds – 2-for-3 with 2 home runs
• Chris Snyder – 0-for-2
• Justin Upton – 1-for-3 with a home run
• Chris Young – 1-for-2 with a walk

The Cubs will get their first look at Barry Enright tonight. Enright will make only his second big league start after an impressive debut against the Cardinals on June 30. Enright held the Cardinals to one run on four hits in five innings with four walks and five strikeouts. Enright kept the Cardinals off the board despite all of the baserunners.

Tonight will mark Enright’s first home start of his big league career … and the Cubs must be patient. Making the 24-year old right hander work early will go a long way toward a win … early swings and not working the count will lead to yet another loss.

Arizona took Enright in the second round of the 2007 draft but he is not mentioned as one of the top prospects in an organization that has been described as “barren”. The Cubs faced Barry Enright during Spring Training and will have to rely on what they saw months ago in the Cactus League.

Barry Enright was 4-1 in 14 starts with Mobile in the Southern League (Double-A) before his call-up. Enright allowed 30 earned runs in 93 2/3 innings with 83 strikeouts and 15 walks (2.88 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP).

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