Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Pirates – 08/01/12

Travis Wood (4-6, 4.98/1.29) vs. Jeff Karstens (3-2, 3.88/1.24)

Updated 10:03am CDT – Cubs Recalled Chris Volstad and Alberto Cabrera from Triple-A Iowa – Casey Coleman Optioned to Triple-A Iowa

The Cubs and Pirates square off this afternoon in the rubber game of the three-game series. Dale Sveum’s team is 3-2 on the homestand with one left to play before spending Thursday’s off day winging their way to the West Coast.

After pounding out 14 runs on 14 hits Monday night, A.J. Burnett held the Cubs to one-hit on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how the young Cubs’ team responds this afternoon after the last two days.

The Cubs are expected to make an addition to the active 25-man roster prior to today’s game. The Cubs played a man short Tuesday after trading Reed Johnson and Paul Maholm to the Braves and sending Ryan Dempster and Geovany Soto to Texas. Dale Sveum said the roster would be discussed following Tuesday’s game but would not comment after the shutout which player or players would be brought up. The Cubs are expected to add a relief pitcher and Sveum mentioned that Chris Volstad could soon return to the Cubs’ rotation.

In other news … Darwin Barney is listed as day-to-day after being hit in the head with an A.J. Burnett breaking ball Tuesday night. Barney wanted to stay in the game but was lifted. X-rays were not taken.

Matt Garza could be headed to the DL. Garza was expected to start Friday’s opener in Los Angeles but was pushed to Tuesday’s game in San Diego.

According to a report from the Tribune, the Cubs are considering bringing up Brett Jackson.

The Cubs are 19-11 since June 25 (7-1-1 in last nine series) and finished July with a 15-10 record.

This afternoon all starts with Travis Wood … After a sensational end of June and beginning of July, Travis Wood has been horrible over his last two starts. Wood is not locating and when he does the ball is leaving the park. Wood allowed one home run during his four-game winning streak and over his last three starts, Wood has served up nine home runs. Wood even ended up in the history books for all of the wrong reason after his last outing.

Travis Wood served up five home runs to the Cardinals, one each in the first five innings. Wood left after giving up seven runs on eight hits (five home runs) with two walks and two strikeouts in five innings. Wood has faced St. Louis in his last two starts and must be looking forward to seeing another team this afternoon.

Travis Wood is 2-3 in seven starts at Wrigley this season with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP … and today is his first start of the season against the Bucs.

Wood has struggled against Pittsburgh. In four career outings, three starts, Wood is 2-2 with a 6.59 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP.

Pirates Career Numbers against Travis Wood

• Rod Barajas – 1-for-7 with a double and a walk
• Clint Barmes – 1-for-11
• Josh Harrison – 2-for-2 with a triple
• Garrett Jones – 0-for-3
• Andrew McCutchen – 1-for-6 with a double and a walk
• Alex Presley – 1-for-2
• Gaby Sanchez – 1-for-1 with a walk
• Neil Walker – 3-for-7 with a double and a walk

Jeff Karstens is having another solid season. After posting a 9-9 record in 30 games, 26 starts, with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP a year ago, Karstens has put up similar peripheral numbers this season for Clint Hurdle.

Karstens is coming off a no decision against the Astros. Karstens allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and seven strikeouts in five innings … his shortest starts since June 25. Karstens is 2-0 in his last four starts with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

For as good as Karstens has been, a majority of his success has been at PNC Park. Karstens is 2-0 in three home starts with a 0.43 ERA and a 0.86 … on the road, just 1-2 in six starts with a 6.30 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

Jeff Karstens has given the Cubs fits since he was acquired from the Yankees at the deadline back in 2008. Karstens is 4-3 in nine career games, seven starts, with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP … at Wrigley Field, 4-2 in six games, five starts, with a 2.48 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Jeff Karstens

• Jeff Baker – 1-for-5 with a double and a walk
• Darwin Barney – 2-for-2
• Tony Campana – 1-for-2
• Starlin Castro – 1-for-8 with a walk
• Alfonso Soriano – 7-for-16 with two home runs
• Luis Valbuena – 0-for-3

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …

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