Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Diamondbacks – 04/05/11

Andrew Cashner (0-0, -.–/-.–) vs. Barry Enright (0-0, -.–/-.–)

Can the Cubs climb over the .500 mark? Q’s squad will try to improve to 3-2 this afternoon behind Andrew Cashner in his first big league start.

Mike Quade’s bullpen figures to be a couple of pitchers short this afternoon. After pitching three days in a row both Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol figure to be unavailable this afternoon. Jeff Samardzija and James Russell were the only two relievers that did not pitch in the series opener Monday.

The Cubs could also be without Carlos Pena this afternoon. Pena suffered a mild sprain on his right thumb trying to catch a wild throw from Starlin Castro Monday. Pena is listed as day-to-day. Mike Quade said he would not hesitate to insert Tyler Colvin or Jeff Baker at first if Pena cannot play this afternoon.

Mike Quade is also looking for a way to get Koyie Hill into the lineup … and that could end up being this afternoon. Hill is the only player on the Cubs 25-man roster that has not seen any playing time this season. Andrew Cashner will make the first start of his big league career. After his call-up last season, Cashner pitched 54 1/3 innings (53 games) and posted a 2-6 record with a 4.80 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Cashner struck out 50 and walked 30 while serving up eight home runs (55 hits).

Cashner showed a lot of maturity in his last spring outing in the Cactus League. After giving up five runs and committing an error in the first inning, Cashner settled down and kept the Rangers off the board for the remainder of his five-inning start.

Cashner stayed behind and pitched in a minor league game last Thursday to get his work in. The first inning will be key for Cashner this afternoon. If he can limit his pitch count early and not show too much the first time through the lineup, he could have a successful outing.

Mike Quade and the Cubs plan on keeping an eye on Cashner’s innings this year in order to not overwork their young right-hander.

Today will be Cashner’s third career outing against the D’Backs. Arizona scored a run on two hits and two walks (three strikeouts) in two innings against Cashner last season.

Diamondbacks Career Numbers against Andrew Cashner

• Stephen Drew – 0-for-1
• Kelly Johnson – 0-for-1
• Miguel Montero – 0-for-1
• Melvin Mora – 1-for-1 with a double
• Gerardo Parra – 1-for-1
• Justin Upton – 0-for-1
• Chris Young – 1-for-1 with a walk

Barry Enright earned a starting spot in Kirk Gibson’s rotation this spring after a solid rookie campaign. Enright posted a 6-7 record in 17 starts last season with a 3.91 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Enright struggled on the road (2-3 in eight starts with a 4.87 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP) but was very good for a bad team at home (4-4 in nine starts with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP).

Enright will make his second career start against the Cubs. Lou’s crew beat Enright in Arizona last July 6 after scoring three runs on seven hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings. Enright struck out five. Today will be his first career start at Wrigley.

Cubs Career Numbers against Barry Enright

• Starlin Castro – 0-for-2
• Tyler Colvin – 1-for-3
• Kosuke Fukudome – 1-for-3 with a home run
• Aramis Ramirez – 1-for-3 with a home run
• Alfonso Soriano – 0-for-1 with a walk
• Geovany Soto – 1-for-2 with a double

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