Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Reds – 06/07/11

Doug Davis (0-4, 5.95/1.73) vs. Edinson Volquez (3-2, 6.35/1.67)

The free falling Cubs will try to end their seven-game losing streak tonight behind Doug Davis … and in order to do so they must play better fundamental ball and maybe, just maybe, hit a ball out of the park.

The Cubs are 5-17 over the last two seasons against the Redlegs (1-5 this year) and have dropped four in a row at Great American Ball Park. The Cubs are just not struggling with the Reds, they are a pathetic 7-20 versus the Central Division this season. To say the other teams in the division have figured out how to beat the overpaid Chicago Cubs would be an understatement.

After another three-hit performance Monday night, Mike Quade figures to have Blake DeWitt in left field again tonight. Maybe the Cubs’ manager should think about using DeWitt in the infield to give Darwin Barney or Starlin Castro a night off.

With Tyler Colvin 0-for-31 in his last 14 games, look for Tony Campana or Brad Snyder to make a start in centerfield tonight. According to a report from the Tribune, the Cubs could bring up a right-handed hitter but the Cubs’ 40-man roster has only one outfielder that would fill that need … Fernando Perez.

Tonight it all starts with Doug Davis … Doug Davis will make his fifth start in a Cubs’ uniform still in search of his first victory of the season. Davis is coming off a decent outing against the Astros (three runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings with no walks and five strikeouts) but he will not face Houston’s offense tonight.

Tonight will be the 17th start of Doug Davis’ career against the Reds. Davis is 6-3 in the first 16 with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP … at Great American, 4-2 in nine starts with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP.

Davis must avoid the free passes tonight and limit the Reds homers to single shots.

Reds Career Numbers against Doug Davis

• Miguel Cairo – 2-for-7 with a triple and a walk
• Jonny Gomes – 2-for-6 with a double
• Ryan Hanigan – 2-for-2 with a walk
• Ramon Hernandez – 7-for-23 with a home run and 4 walks
• Paul Janish – 0-for-2 with a walk
• Fred Lewis – 4-for-10 with a walk
• Brandon Phillips – 9-for-21 with 2 doubles and 5 walks
• Edgar Renteria – 8-for-18 with a double, 2 home runs and 3 walks
• Scott Rolen – 5-for-21 with a double, a triple, a home run and 4 walks
• Joey Votto – 2-for-4 with a double

The Reds’ Opening Day starter is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Louisville to make the start against the Cubs tonight. Edinson Volquez last pitched for the Reds back on May 22 against the Indians … and he was horrible. Volquez allowed seven runs, six earned, on seven hits with four walk and three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings.

The Reds could not take his struggles any longer so they sent him to the minors to work out his issues.

Volquez had dominated the Cubs the start before his demotion (three runs on three hits with a walk and nine strikeouts in six innings) and figures to put together a very good outing tonight against Mike Quade’s Cubs.

The Cubs need to make him work tonight if they want the embarrassing losing streak to come to an end.

Edinson Volquez has never lost to the Cubs and is 3-0 in five starts with a 2.43 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Edinson Volquez

• Darwin Barney – 2-for-6
• Starlin Castro – 3-for-9 with a double
• Blake DeWitt – 1-for-2 with a walk
• Kosuke Fukudome – 1-for-13 with a double and 2 walks
• Koyie Hill – 0-for-2 with a walk
• Carlos Pena – 1-for-2 with a home run and 4 walks
• Aramis Ramirez – 4-for-13 with a walk
• Geovany Soto – 0-for-3 with 2 walks

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