Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Dodgers – 08/04/12

Chris Volstad (0-7, 7.94/1.65) vs. Clayton Kershaw (8-6, 2.95/1.06)

The Cubs have dropped the last three games, have been outscored 19-5 in the process and will turn to Chris Volstad to end the losing streak. Volstad has not won a game at the big league level in over a year (July 10, 2011) and it does not figure to get any easier tonight for Volstad or the Cubs’ offense.

The Cubs are 12-18 in games started by lefties this season and it will be interesting to see the lineup Dale Sveum runs out against Clayton Kershaw tonight. This is the first game against a southpaw since Reed Johnson was sent to Atlanta. Kershaw is equally as good against right-handers (.222/.273/.303) as he is against lefties (.208/.283/.309).

In other news … Matt Garza’s bullpen session was cut short Friday. Matt Garza is expected to throw again today and his status for Tuesday will be determined following his bullpen session. Dale Sveum acknowledged Friday that it could be “pushing it” to expect Garza to start Tuesday night in San Diego.

According to multiple reports, Chris Volstad will remain in the rotation for the remainder of the season, regardless of the way he pitches.

Darwin Barney tied Ryne Sandberg’s franchise mark Friday night for the longest single-season errorless streak by a second baseman. Barney has not been charged with an error in 90 games (April 17). Sandberg’s streak ran from June 21, 1989 through the end of the season and was picked up the next year. Sandberg’s franchise record 123-game errorless streak ran until May 17, 1990. The N.L. single-season record is held by David Eckstein. Eckstein was not charged an error for 113 straight games while he was with the Padres in 2010.

Tonight it all starts with Chris Volstad … It has been just over a month since Chris Volstad started a big league game. Volstad was rocked in Atlanta and could not compete five innings of work. Volstad allowed six runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Volstad was bitten by one huge inning again and it unraveled rather quickly.

Chris Volstad is coming off his best start of the year, with the Iowa Cubs. Volstad tossed eight inning of shutout ball against Oklahoma City. Volstad walked three, struck out five and gave up only four hits. Since returning to Triple-A, Volstad posted a 1-2 record in four starts with a 6.97 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.

Volstad faced and lost to the Dodgers during the series at Wrigley in May. Volstad allowed five runs on four hits with three walks and a strikeout in five innings. For his career, Volstad is 3-4 in seven starts against the Dodgers with a 5.01 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP … at Dodger Stadium, 2-1 in three starts with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP.

Dodgers Career Numbers against Chris Volstad

• Mark Ellis – 0-for-2 with a walk
• Andre Ethier – 3-for-14 with a double and three walks
• Tony Gwynn Jr. – 1-for-9 with a walk
• Jerry Hairston Jr. – 5-for-16 with a double and a walk
• Matt Kemp – 5-for-19 with a home run
• Clayton Kershaw – 1-for-2
• James Loney – 5-for-17 with a double and two walks
• Juan Uribe – 0-for-3
• Shane Victorino – 9-for-32 with a double, a triple, two home runs and two walks

The reigning NL Cy Young award winner is coming off a complete game shutout win in San Francisco. Other than a bad outing against the Cardinals on July 24, Clayton Kershaw has been, well … Clayton Kershaw. Arguably the best young lefty in the game has allowed one earned run or less in five of his last 10 starts and posted a 3-2 record in six starts last month with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP.

Clayton Kershaw is 5-3 in 12 home starts this season with a 2.36 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

Kershaw has dominated the Cubs over his career. Kershaw is 2-1 in three starts with a 1.71 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP (20 strikeouts and two walks in 21 innings). The loss came on May 25, 2010 when he allowed one unearned run on four hits in six innings at Wrigley Field.

Cubs Career Numbers against Clayton Kershaw

• Jeff Baker – 4-for-11 with a double, a home run and a walk
• Darwin Barney – 0-for-4
• Starlin Castro – 0-for-10
• Joe Mather – 0-for-3
• James Russell – 1-for-2
• Alfonso Soriano – 3-for-8 with two home runs and a walk
• Chris Volstad – 0-for-2

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …

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