Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Braves – 08/13/11

Randy Wells (3-4, 6.05/1.59) vs. Derek Lowe (7-10, 4.78/1.48)

Updated 3:42pm CDT – The Cubs placed Carlos Zambrano on the disqualified list without pay for 30 days. Zambrano is not allowed any contact with the team for the next month. Casey Coleman is expected to take his spot in the rotation.

How will the Cubs respond to what happened on and off the field Friday night? Outside of another Carlos Zambrano drama, the Cubs did not play a good game and were pounded by the Atlanta Braves yet again. The Braves have outscored the Cubs 35-17 in their last four head-to-head match-ups and including all six games of 2010, plus Friday night, Atlanta has outscored the Cubs 54-26.

Tyler Colvin is expected to be back in the starting lineup tonight against Derek Lowe. Mike Quade should leave Reed Johnson in his starting nine and give Alfonso Soriano a breather. Prior to Friday’s game, Mike Quade mentioned that Tony Campana would get a few starts over the next five games as well … the Cubs are scheduled to face right-handers for the remainder of the road trip and into the St. Louis series next weekend at Wrigley.

Tonight it all starts with Randy Wells … Randy Wells is coming off another poor outing but was in line for the win until Marlon Byrd overran a pop up in shallow center off the bat of Joey Votto and Sean Marshall could not preserve the lead. The Reds hit Wells pretty hard and scored six runs on eight hits in seven innings. Wells walked only one batter but struck out only one and served up three home runs.

Wells has struggled for the most part since he returned from the DL at the end of May. Wells has been his own worst enemy, especially in the first inning. Wells is 2-1 in his last five starts with a 4.94 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP … and is 1-2 in six road starts this season with a 6.90 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP.

Randy Wells is 2-1 in four career starts against the Braves with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP … at Turner Field, 1-0 in two starts with a 0.69 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP.

Braves Career Numbers against Randy Wells

• Michael Bourn – 6-for-18 with 5 walks
• Alex Gonzalez – 1-for-10 with a home run
• Jason Heyward – 2-for-4 with a home run and 2 walks
• Chipper Jones – 2-for-7 with a walk
• Julio Lugo – 0-for-1
• Martin Prado – 3-for-12 with a double
• Dan Uggla – 1-for-2 with a walk

Derek Lowe is in the midst of a bad season and facing the Cubs tonight could end up being exactly what he needs to get back on track. Derek Lowe has always dominated the Chicago Cubs … and there is no reason to think that will change tonight.

Lowe is coming off a decent outing against the Marlins (two runs on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts in six inning). His last start marked the first time Lowe had completed six innings of work since July 18. Lowe is 2-3 in his last five starts with a 6.84 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP … and 1-1 in his last two starts with an 8.10 ERA and a 2.10 WHIP. Lowe is 2-2 in nine starts at Turner Field this season with a 5.07 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.

The Cubs have never been patient against Derek Lowe but if they are tonight they will put runs on the board. Tonight will be Derek Lowe’s 11th career start against the Cubs … 3-1 with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Derek Lowe

• Jeff Baker – 1-for-1 with 2 walks
• Marlon Byrd – 1-for-3 with a home run
• Koyie Hill – 1-for-8 with a walk
• Reed Johnson – 4-for-14 with a double
• Carlos Pena – 6-for-17 with a double, a triple and a walk
• Aramis Ramirez – 4-for-16 with a double, a home run and 2 walks
• Alfonso Soriano – 14-for-59 with 2 doubles and 3 home runs
• Geovany Soto – 2-for-7 with a walk

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