Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Phillies – 05/17/12

Chris Volstad (0-5, 6.92/1.46) vs. Roy Halladay (3-3, 3.20/1.08)

Updated 4:03pm CDT – Blake Parker Added to the 40-man Roster, Called-up from Triple-A Iowa – Scott Maine Optioned to Triple-A Iowa

How will Dale Sveum’s team respond to the pounding they took Wednesday night from the Phillies? The Cubs not only end their brief two-game series with the Phillies’ tonight but also face Philadelphia for the last time this season. After splitting the first four games in Philly, the Cubs need a victory tonight to post a split in the season series (2-3).

The Cubs’ pen took another beating Wednesday, even with the addition of another arm. The Cubs placed Rule 5 Draft pick Lendy Castillo on the 15-day DL with a strained left groin just before first pitch Wednesday night and recalled Scott Maine from Triple-A Iowa.

Tonight is a big start for Chris Volstad. The Cubs need for Volstad to step up and put together a solid start without the-one-bad-inning that has plagued him all season. The Cubs are 0-7 in Volstad’s seven starts this season … and 15-15 in the other 30 games.

In other news … Blake DeWitt cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa. DeWitt accepted his assignment to Triple-A Iowa and will report to the I-Cubs on Friday.

Steve Clevenger played catch in the outfield and hit both off a tee and on the side for the first time since going on the DL back on April 28 with a right oblique strain. Clevenger is reportedly ahead of schedule and could return as early as May 25 in Pittsburgh. Clevenger said the plan is for him to go out on a minor league rehab after the five-game homestand that ends Sunday.

Tonight all begins with Chris Volstad … Depending on the report, Chris Volstad could be pitching to stay in the Cubs’ rotation tonight. Volstad’s struggles are well documented and from the way Dale Sveum spoke after his last outing, Volstad needs to earn his spot in the Cubs’ rotation.

Not only is Chris Volstad winless in his last 18 starts dating back to July 10 of last year but the Cubs are 0-7 in his seven starts this season.

After a solid five innings against the Brewers in his last outing, Volstad imploded in the sixth and gave up five runs in the sixth. Volstad allowed a season-high six earned runs on a season-high nine hits with two walks and one strikeout in six innings of work.

Chris Volstad will face the Phillies for the second time this season. Volstad received a no decision in his outing in Philly back on April 30. Volstad left with the Cubs trailing 4-0 but the Cubs scored one in the eighth and three in the ninth to take Volstad off the hook. Scott Maine gave up a two-run double to Placido Polanco in the eighth that gave the Phillies the win.

The Phillies have pretty much owned Chris Volstad during his career. Volstad is 2-5 in 13 starts with a 5.89 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP. Volstad last beat the Phillies on May 25, 2009.

Phillies Career Numbers against Chris Volstad

• Mike Fontenot – 5-for-16 with two doubles, a home run and a walk
• Laynce Nix – 2-for-9 with a home run and a walk
• Pete Orr – 3-for-4 with a home run and a walk
• Hunter Pence – 6-for-17 with a walk
• Juan Pierre – 2-for-8
• Placido Polanco – 4-for-15
• Jimmy Rollins – 14-for-32 with two doubles, a home run and three walks
• Carlos Ruiz – 10-for-22 with four double and five walks
• Shane Victorino – 9-for-31 with a double, a triple, two home runs and a walk
• Ty Wigginton – 1-for-3

After just a miserable outing against the Braves on May 2 (eight runs on 12 hits with no walks and five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings), Roy Halladay has allowed four runs in his last two starts (14 innings). Halladay is coming off his third loss of the season. The Padres scored two runs on seven hits, walked once and struck out 10 times against Halladay in seven innings. The Phillies scored just one run and Halladay was hung with the defeat.

Roy Halladay is 2-1 in four road starts this season with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP.

The Cubs and Paul Maholm beat Halladay in Philly on April 27. The Cubs took game one of the four-game series 5-1. Halladay allowed three runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts in seven innings.

Roy Halladay is 1-5 in six career starts against the Cubs with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP … at Wrigley Field, 0-3 in three starts with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Roy Halladay

• Darwin Barney – 1-for-8
• Tony Campana – 2-for-3
• Starlin Castro – 6-for-12
• David DeJesus – 4-for-23
• Reed Johnson – 1-for-3 with a home run
• Bryan LaHair – 1-for-3
• Alfonso Soriano – 15-for-62 with three doubles and two home runs
• Geovany Soto – 1-for-8 with a home run and a walk
• Ian Stewart – 4-for-12 with two doubles

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …

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