Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Cardinals – 08/20/11

Matt Garza (5-9, 3.80/1.30) vs. Edwin Jackson (9-8, 4.04/1.47 – 2-1, 4.62/1.70)

Weather permitting … What is next for the Chicago Cubs? The daily drama that seemingly surrounds this organization went into overdrive on Friday with the firing of Jim Hendry … within seven days, Carlos Zambrano likely pitched his last game with the club, the Cubs spent a ton of money in signing their draft picks and Hendry was officially let go as the GM of the team.

Mike Quade’s days are likely numbered as the team’s skipper. When asked about Quade’s future on Friday, Tom Ricketts said the new GM would determine whether Quade would be retained as the manager. Considering Quade was a Hendry hire and a new GM would like his own guy in the dugout, it appears Quade has no more than 37 games remaining in a Cubs’ uniform.

Alfonso Soriano was hit in the right forearm in the eighth inning of Friday’s game. Soriano appeared to be in a lot of pain and stayed in the game before being lifted in a double-switch in the top of the ninth. Soriano’s status for this afternoon’s game is uncertain.

In other news … Andrew Cashner is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday following another successful batting practice session on Friday … and Dillon Maples is expected at Wrigley today for the first time as a member of the Cubs’ organization.

The Cubs are 12-5 in August … and this afternoon it all begins with Matt Garza. Matt Garza is coming off a decent but short start against the Braves. Garza allowed four runs, two earned, on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts last Sunday. Garza could have gone longer but the Cubs had a chance to tie the game in the top of the sixth … and did. The Cubs came back not only once but twice last Sunday. While Garza did not get the win, his team picked up a victory. The Cubs are 9-14 in Garza’s 23 starts this season

Garza is 1-1 in his last three starts with a 2.50 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP … and 1-2 in seven starts against the break with a 2.82 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.

Today is Garza’s 13th start of the year at Wrigley … 3-4 in the first 12 with a 2.84 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP at the Friendly Confines.

Matt Garza has faced the Cardinals twice this season with mixed results. Garza is 1-1 in two starts against the Redbirds with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP … Win at Wrigley on May 11 (one run on three hits in five innings with three walks and seven strikeouts), loss in St. Louis on July 29 (six runs on eight hits with two walks and three strikeouts 5 2/3 innings).

Cardinals Career Numbers against Matt Garza

• Lance Berkman – 2-for-15 with 2 walks
• Daniel Descalso – 0-for-3 with 2 walks
• David Freese – 1-for-3 with a home run
• Matt Holliday – 4-for-14 with a double and a walk
• Edwin Jackson – 0-for-2
• Jon Jay – 2-for-3
• Gerald Laird – 2-for-12 with a double and 2 walks
• Yadier Molina – 2-for-6
• Corey Patterson – 6-for-13 with a double, a home run and a walk
• Albert Pujols – 2-for-7 with a double
• Skip Schumaker – 3-for-5 with a double and a walk
• Ryan Theriot – 1-for-2 with a walk

Edwin Jackson will face the Cubs for the third time this season … second in a Cardinals uniform. Jackson is a perfect 2-0 against the Cubs this year with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Jackson beat Garza in his Cardinals debut back on July 29. Jackson held the Cubs to one run on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts in seven innings.

Jackson is coming off a win against the Rockies after allowing two runs on eight hits with three walks and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Edwin Jackson is 1-1 in his last three starts with a 5.89 ERA and 1.85 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Edwin Jackson

• Darwin Barney – 2-for-6 with a double
• Marlon Byrd – 4-for-16 with 2 doubles and a home run
• Starlin Castro – 2-for-9 with a walk
• Tyler Colvin – 1-for-2
• Blake DeWitt – 3-for-8
• Matt Garza – 1-for-2
• Reed Johnson – 1-for-4 with a double and a walk
• Carlos Pena – 0-for-9 with 5 walks
• Aramis Ramirez – 2-for-8 with a home run
• Alfonso Soriano – 5-for-15 with a double and a home run
• Geovany Soto – 0-for-9 with 2 walks

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