Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Brewers – 04/10/11

Casey Coleman (0-0, -.–/-.–) vs. Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 1.20/0.93)

For the Cubs to win their first road series of the season they will have to beat one of the best in the National League, Yovani Gallardo. Q’s offense was very aggressive against Chris Narveson Saturday night and unless they change their approach this afternoon it will be more of the same.

Starlin Castro and Kosuke Fukudome have good career numbers against Yovani Gallardo, while Alfonso Soriano does not. It might be a good time to give Soriano a day off. Castro was hit in the jaw Saturday night after he failed to catch a throw from Geovany Soto in the eighth inning. Castro remained in the game and will hopefully not miss the finale this afternoon.

Mike Quade must resist the temptation to give Geovany Soto the day off after a night game. Soto has excellent numbers against Yovani Gallardo.

Casey Coleman will make his first start of the year this afternoon. Coleman made his big league debut against the Brewers last season and Milwaukee’s offense treated him like a rookie. Coleman made adjustments the next time he faced the Brewers and took the hard luck loss against Yovani Gallardo.

Will the Cubs swipe a bag this afternoon? The Cubs are the only team in the majors without a stolen base this season … the first time since 1964 the Cubs have not stolen a base in the first eight games of a season.

The Cubs offense will have their hands full with Yovani Gallardo … but today it all begins with Casey Coleman. Casey Coleman was supposed to begin his season with the Iowa Cubs but with the Cubs placing Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells on the DL, Coleman will begin his season with the big league club.

Coleman had a solid spring and continued impressing the Cubs brass. After his call-up last year, Coleman struggled early before settling down and posting a win in three of his last five starts.

Coleman finished 2010 with a 4-2 record in 12 games, eight starts, with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Coleman completed at least six innings in his last five outings and posted a 3-1 record with 2.82 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. Coleman posted a win in his final outing of the season in Houston after throwing seven innings of shutout ball (no runs on six hits with a walk and two strikeouts).

Coleman showed a knack for making adjustments during each of his starts … and he will face a huge challenge this afternoon.

This afternoon will be Coleman’s third career game, second start, against Milwaukee … 0-1 in two games, one start, with a 7.56 ERA and a 2.16 WHIP. Coleman made his big league debut against the Brewers on August 2 and was hit around pretty hard (six runs on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout in 2 1/3 innings), Coleman made adjustments and pitched six strong innings in Milwaukee on September 12. Coleman was hung with the loss after allowing one run on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Brewers Career Numbers against Casey Coleman

• Ryan Braun – 4-for-5 with a double
• Craig Counsell – 1-for-1
• Prince Fielder – 1-for-2 with 2 walks
• Yovani Gallardo – 1-for-3 with a double
• Casey McGehee – 0-for-3 with a walk
• Nyjer Morgan – 0-for-3
• Rickie Weeks – 0-for-5

The Cubs will face one of the best young pitchers in the league this afternoon. Some feel Yovani Gallardo is the ace of the Brewers staff, even with the addition of Zack Greinke. Gallardo is coming off a complete game gem against the Braves. Atlanta managed only two hits and two walks in nine innings against Gallardo. The Brewers needed a win (0-4 at the time) and Gallardo stepped up with a complete game shutout …

Gallardo should be 2-0 on the young season. He held the Reds in check on Opening Day but the Brewers bullpen could not preserve the win.

The Cubs have struggled mightily in the past with Yovani Gallardo. The Brewers right-hander is 3-1 in seven career games versus the Cubs with a 3.19 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP … 2-0 in three starts last season with a 0.45 ERA and a 0.80 WHIP.

Q’s offense must be patient against Gallardo this afternoon or history will repeat itself.

Cubs Career Numbers against Yovani Gallardo

• Jeff Baker – 0-for-1
• Darwin Barney – 0-for-2 with a walk
• Marlon Byrd – 1-for-5 with a walk
• Starlin Castro – 4-for-9 with 3 doubles
• Casey Coleman – 0-for-3
• Tyler Colvin – 1-for-9
• Blake DeWitt – 0-for-6
• Kosuke Fukudome – 5-for-13 with a double and 2 walks
• Koyie Hill – 0-for-3
• Reed Johnson – 0-for-2
• Aramis Ramirez – 3-for-10 with a double and a walk
• Alfonso Soriano – 2-for-14 with a double
• Geovany Soto – 4-for-12 with a double, a home run and 2 walks

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