Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Reds – 05/17/11

Matt Garza (2-4, 4.17/1.35) vs. Edinson Volquez (3-1, 5.74/1.65)

Updated – 3:29pm CDT – Cubs selected Tony Campana from Triple-A Iowa, added to 40-man roster and called up from Triple-A Iowa. Cubs optioned Marcos Mateo to Triple-A Iowa and recalled Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa

Weather permitting … Following Monday night’s embarrassing loss, Keith Moreland stated that tonight is a very important game for the Chicago Cubs … and is the biggest start to this point for Matt Garza in a Cubs’ uniform. Q’s squad enters play tonight a season-low five games under .500 and much closer to the bottom of the central than the top.

The Cubs reach the 40-game mark of the season tonight and the only thing consistent about the Cubs is inconsistency. If they pitch well enough to win, they don’t hit with runners in scoring position … or vise versa.

The 2011 version of the Chicago Cubs have not been over .500 since April 20 and own a 8-14 record since they were last over the mediocre mark. Q’s squad has not won more than two games in a row all season and unless something changes, their longest losing streak will come at some point during this road trip.

Mike Quade held a closed door meeting with his team following Monday’s loss. Quade was reportedly very angry with his team’s performance. The big question becomes, did any of the players listen and will the play on the field improve … or did they respond with the same lackadaisical attitude they seemingly take the field with day in and day out?

Tonight it all starts with Matt Garza … Matt Garza is coming off his first win at Wrigley in an 11-4 pounding of the Cardinals. Garza gave up just one run in five innings of work in a game that featured a 53-minute rain delay. Garza struck out seven and walked three but was lifted soon after he qualified for the win.

Garza will make his fourth road start of the season and his first at Great American Ball Park. Garza is 1-2 in three outings outside of Wrigley with a 5.95 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

Matt Garza will get his second shot at Edinson Volquez and the Cincinnati Reds. Volquez beat Garza back on May 6 because of two big mistakes by Garza and the Cubs inability to hit with runners in scoring position. Garza gave up five runs on six hits to Jay Bruce and company in six innings of work … with seven strikeouts and two walks.

The Cubs need a good outing and a win from Matt Garza tonight.

Reds Career Numbers against Matt Garza

• Jay Bruce – 1-for-3 with a home run
• Miguel Cairo – 1-for-1
• Jonny Gomes – 1-for-3 with a double
• Ramon Hernandez – 2-for-12
• Paul Janish – 1-for-2 with a double
• Fred Lewis – 3-for-11 with 2 doubles and a walk
• Brandon Phillips – 1-for-3
• Edgar Renteria – 1-for-4 with a walk
• Scott Rolen – 5-for-19 with 2 doubles
• Drew Stubbs – 0-for-3
• Edinson Volquez – 0-for-2
• Joey Votto – 1-for-2 with a walk

Edinson Volquez is coming off a four-inning no decision against the Houston Astros. Volquez walked five batters in four innings and gave up three runs on three hits. Volquez continues to struggle with his command and should not have beaten the Cubs at Wrigley two starts ago.

The Cubs had the right approach against Edinson Volquez on May 6, they just couldn’t hit with runners in scoring position. The Cubs plated four runs, three earned, on six hits with four walks in five innings … but it should have been a lot more. The Cubs must be patient tonight and take what Volquez will try to give them.

Edinson Volquez is 1-0 in his last two starts with a 6.00 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP.

Volquez has never lost to the Cubs … 3-0 in four starts with a 1.90 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Edinson Volquez

• Jeff Baker – 1-for-4 with a home run and 2 walks
• Darwin Barney – 1-for-3
• Marlon Byrd – 3-for-6
• Starlin Castro – 2-for-6
• Blake DeWitt – 1-for-2 with a walk
• Kosuke Fukudome – 1-for-10 with a double and 2 walks
• Matt Garza – 1-for-2
• Koyie Hill – 0-for-2 with a walk
• Reed Johnson – 2-for-6
• Carlos Pena – Three Walks
• Aramis Ramirez – 4-for-11 with a walk
• Alfonso Soriano – 1-for-5 with a double and a walk

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