Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Reds – 05/07/11

Casey Coleman (1-2, 7.36/1.96) vs. Bronson Arroyo (3-3, 4.17/1.31)

Weather permitting … Today figures to be a tough test for the Chicago Cubs. With Bronson Arroyo on the hill for the Reds and Casey Coleman taking the ball for Mike Quade, the offense generated this afternoon at Wrigley Field could all come from one dugout. Arroyo has dominated the Cubs over the years and Coleman has only one victory in his short career at home.

The Cubs will have to take advantage of every opportunity Arroyo gives them … and for Coleman he must throw strikes and keep the ball in the park. Coleman has been dealing with a plantar’s wart on his right middle finger and has had to learn how to re-grip the baseball, which is effecting his command

Starlin Castro is in the middle of a big slump and looks like a 21-year old who could use a day off to watch a baseball game. Castro is 0-for-8 against Arroyo and Blake DeWitt has solid numbers against the Reds’ right-hander. It could pay dividends down the road to give Castro his first break of the season this afternoon.

Castro made his big league debut one year ago today against the Reds in Cincinnati … and what a debut it was.

In other news … According to a report from the Sun-Times, Doug Davis will make his next start Wednesday for Triple-A Iowa … which will rule him out for making the start Saturday, May 14 versus the Giants, the next time the Cubs would need a fifth starter. Mike Quade and Jim Hendry have not discussed options for that game yet.

Today it all starts with Casey Coleman … After picking up his first and only win of the season back on April 16 in Colorado, Casey Coleman has struggled mightily in his last two outings. Casey lasted just 2 2/3 innings against the Dodgers at Wrigley and gave up six runs on six hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Coleman was skipped after the rainout on April 27 then on May 1 he issued a season-high five walks in five innings to the Diamondbacks. Coleman surrendered four runs on four hits with only three strikeouts.

Casey Coleman figures to be pitching for a big league job. With Doug Davis possibly a start away from his Cubs debut, Jay Jackson pitching to mixed results for the I-Cubs and both Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner rehabbing in Arizona, Casey needs a good outing this afternoon.

Casey Coleman is 0-2 in his last two starts with an 11.75 ERA and a 2.48 WHIP … 10 runs, all earned, on 10 hits, nine walks and seven strikeouts in last 7 2/3 innings.

Coleman has not pitched well at Wrigley in his short Major League career. He is 0-1 this season with a 20.25 ERA and a 3.75 WHIP in one start … 1-2 in six career games, four starts, with a 8.17 ERA and a 2.09 WHIP.

This afternoon will be the young right-hander’s third career appearance, second start, versus the Reds. He does not have a decision but has allowed six runs, all earned, on 10 hits with two walks and two strikeouts in nine innings (6.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP).

Reds Career Numbers against Casey Coleman

• Jay Bruce – 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk
• Miguel Cairo – 0-for-2
• Jonny Gomes – a walk in only plate appearance
• Chris Heisey – 2-for-5 with a double
• Ramon Hernandez – 2-for-3
• Paul Janish – 0-for-4
• Drew Stubbs – 2-for-3 with a double
• Joey Votto – 2-for-4 with a double

Bronson Arroyo has owned the Cubs since his arrival in Cincinnati … both on the mound and at the plate, just ask Glendon Rusch. Arroyo has been his typically inconsistent self this season (one good outing, one bad outing, one great outing) but he will be on the top of his game this afternoon … and it figures to be a very frustrating game for Mike Quade’s offense.

Arroyo is coming off a loss to the Marlins in which he gave up five runs, all earned, on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts in seven innings. The Marlins hit three longball off Arroyo and he’s served up seven home runs in 36 2/3 innings this season.

Today will be Arroyo’s third road start of the season … 2-0 in two road starts with a 0.73 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

Arroyo is 9-7 in 22 career games, 20 starts, against the Cubs with a 2.80 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP … at Wrigley, 6-3 in 11 games, 10 starts, with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.

Arroyo was 2-1 in three starts versus the Cubs last season with a 1.35 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP … he did not allow an earned run at Wrigley in two starts last season (2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP, no runs, seven hits allowed with three walks and 10 strikeouts in 13 innings).

Cubs Career Numbers against Bronson Arroyo

• Jeff Baker – 0-for-1
• Marlon Byrd – 5-for-16 with a double and a home run
• Starlin Castro – 0-for-8
• Tyler Colvin – 1-for-9
• Blake DeWitt – 5-for-16 with a double
• Kosuke Fukudome – 3-for-19 with a home run and a walk
• Koyie Hill – 2-for-7 with a double and a walk
• Reed Johnson – 3-for-15
• Carlos Pena – 1-for-9 with a double
• Aramis Ramirez – 9-for-45 with a double, a home run and 4 walks
• Alfonso Soriano – 8-for-45 with 5 doubles, a home run and 2 walks
• Geovany Soto – 2-for-9 with 3 walks

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