Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Giants – 09/01/12

Justin Germano (2-4, 5.91/1.35) vs. Tim Lincecum (7-14, 5.30/1.48)

Updated 11:19am CDT – Cubs recalled OF Tony Campana, IF Adrian Cardenas and OF Dave Sappelt from Triple-A Iowa.

Weather permitting … The Cubs will shoot to begin the final full month of the season on a positive note with a win over Tim Lincecum and the Giants. The Cubs are coming off two solid wins and are looking for a strong finish to the season.

Dale Sveum will have a few more options beginning today. With the rosters expanding, the Cubs are expected to call-up several players on their 40-man roster. Tony Campana, Adrian Cardenas and Dave Sappelt are expected to be activated prior to game time this afternoon. Miguel Socolovich and Anthony Recker will reportedly be activated on Sunday. Chris Rusin is scheduled to start Tuesday’s game against the Nationals and Rafael Dolis will reportedly rejoin the big league team in the coming days.

The Cubs will face Tim Lincecum for the first time this season. Lincecum is a perfect 2-0 in four starts at Wrigley Field with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP but he has not dominated this season like he has in the past.

In other news … Welington Castillo quietly had a good month at the plate while showing improvement with his defense. In 18 games, Castillo put together a .300/.344/.533/.871 line with five doubles and three home runs.

This afternoon it all starts with Justin Germano … After a decent start to his Cubs’ career, Justin Germano ran into the Brewers and his last two starts have been not-so-good. Germano allowed more than two earned runs once in his first five starts with the Cubs … but in his last two starts, Germano has allowed 12 earned runs on 18 hits with a walk and seven strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings (11.18 ERA and a 2.07 WHIP). Germano cannot be the only player on the Cubs’ roster that is glad the season series with the Brewers is over.

Justin Germano has been serviceable at Wrigley for the pitching-starved organization. Germano is 2-2 in five appearances, four starts, with a 4.23 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP.

Justin Germano was in the Red Sox organization when the Cubs played the Giants in June. Germano has faced the Giants four times in his career (three starts). Germano has no record in his career against San Francisco with a 1.83 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP (four runs on 10 hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings). The last time he faced the Giants was back in 2008. Germano received a no decision after tossing seven innings of shutout ball (four hits, one walk and three strikeouts).

Giants Career Numbers against Justin Germano

• Gregor Blanco – 2-for-3 with a double
• Tim Lincecum – 0-for-2
• Hunter Pence – 2-for-2 with a double
• Marco Scutaro – 0-for-1
• Ryan Theriot – 0-for-1

Tim Lincecum has not been Tim Lincecum this season. Lincecum has struggled mightily this season but has shown signs of late of the former two-time Cy Young Award winner. Lincecum was a shocking 3-10 in his first 18 starts with a 6.42 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP and is 4-4 in his last nine with a 3.31 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.

Lincecum is coming off a loss to the Braves. Lincecum allowed three runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts in five innings. But in the start before against the Dodgers, Lincecum beat L.A. after allowing one run on five hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

Tim Lincecum is 2-3 in his last five starts with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.

The road has been very unkind to Tim Lincecum this season. In 12 starts outside of AT & T Park, Lincecum is 4-6 with a 6.99 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP.

The Cubs missed Lincecum back in June in San Francisco. Tim Lincecum owns a 3-4 mark in nine career starts against the Cubs with a 3.49 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP … at Wrigley, 2-0 in four starts with a 1.59 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Tim Lincecum

• Darwin Barney – 0-for-3
• Starlin Castro – 4-for-10 with two doubles
• David DeJesus – 2-for-4 with a double and three walks
• Justin Germano – 1-for-2
• Anthony Rizzo – 0-for-5 with two walks
• Alfonso Soriano – 3-for-11 with a double and a home run

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …

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