Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Reds – 08/05/11

Ryan Dempster (8-8, 4.96/1.41) vs. Mike Leake (9-6, 3.89/1.20)

The Cubs open a six-game homestand this afternoon with the first of three against the Cincinnati Reds. The homestand concludes with three night games against the Nationals before a day off next Thursday. The finale of homestand is Ron Santo Day at Wrigley as his statue will be unveiled in pre-game ceremonies.

Q’s squad enters play riding a season-high five-game winning streak, the last time the Cubs posted six victories in a row was September 13 – September 19, 2010.

The Cubs have struggled against Joey Votto and the Reds this season and have won only two of the eight games (2-6) against the defending NL Central Champs. The Reds are dealing with their own issues. The Reds just lost two of three in Houston and are looking up at the Pirates, Cardinals and Brewers in the division (fourth place, 7 1/2 back of the Brewers). The Reds are in need of a bunch of wins and are looking to feel much better about themselves after the next three games at Wrigley.

Tony Campana is expected to get the start in centerfield this afternoon. During his pre-game show Thursday, Mike Quade said Campana would likely start today’s game in order to give Marlon Byrd a breather. Alfonso Soriano will be back in left and Tyler Colvin should be in right … especially with his career numbers against Mike Leake.

The Cubs are 25-31 at Wrigley this season … and this afternoon it all begins with Ryan Dempster. Ryan Dempster is coming off a very good outing against the Cardinals. Dempster faced one over the minimum through the first four innings and ended up going six strong and allowing three run on seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts. Dempster made only one mistake … and Lance Berkman made him pay for it.

After a bad start against the Phillies and a poor start versus the Brewers, Dempster rebounded nicely against the Redbirds and is 3-2 in his last five starts with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.

Dempster has already faced the Reds twice this season … and has one won and lost one. In two starts against Cincinnati, Dempster has allowed three runs on eight hits in 13 innings with 12 strikeouts and one walk (2.08 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP).

Reds Career Numbers against Ryan Dempster

• Jay Bruce – 4-for-13 with a double and 4 walks
• Miguel Cairo – 1-for-14
• Ryan Hanigan – 1-for-6
• Ramon Hernandez – 7-for-15 with a double, a home run and 2 walks
• Mike Leake – 0-for-2
• Fred Lewis – 1-for-10 with a triple and 2 walks
• Brandon Phillips – 3-for-26 with a home run and 2 walks
• Edgar Renteria – 8-for-26 with 2 home runs and 4 walks
• Drew Stubbs – 4-for-12 with a double and a home run
• Joey Votto – 4-for-21 with 2 home runs and 2 walks

The Cubs will get another shot at Mike Leake … and until they learn to make Leake work, the young right-hander will continue to have his way with the Cubs. Leake has already beaten Q’s squad this season and is a perfect 3-0 in four career starts versus the Cubs with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

Leake is coming off an impressive win against the Giants (two runs, one earned, on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings without a walk and seven strikeouts) and has not allowed more than two earned runs in his last three starts. Leake posted a 2-2 record in five July starts with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Since June 1, Leake is 5-4 in 11 starts with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP (49 strikeouts and 12 walks in his last 71 innings).

Cubs Career Numbers against Mike Leake

• Darwin Barney – 2-for-3
• Marlon Byrd – 2-for-9 with a double
• Tony Campana – 0-for-1
• Tyler Colvin – 3-for-9 with 3 home runs
• Ryan Dempster – 0-for-1
• Blake DeWitt – 4-for-8 with a double and 2 walks
• Koyie Hill – 0-for-2
• Reed Johnson – 1-for-1
• Carlos Pena – 1-for-2 with a walk
• Aramis Ramirez – 1-for-10 with a walk
• Alfonso Soriano – 0-for-6
• Geovany Soto – 1-for-7 with 3 walks

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