Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. White Sox – 05/29/13

Scott Feldman (4-4, 2.80/1.19) vs. John Danks (0-0, 4.50/0.67)

Weather permitting … The Cubs begin a five-game homestand this afternoon with what was supposed to be the last two games of the season against the White Sox … the homestand gets even more challenging on Friday when the Cubs open a three game weekend series against the Diamondbacks.

The Crosstown Series received a delay on Tuesday night when the skies opened in the bottom of the third inning and sent the game into rain delay with the Cubs up 2-0. Welington Castillo hit his first home run since April 8 and Edwin Jackson was off to a good start but rain washed away the score and the stats with the game likely to be made up on June 24.

The Cubs and White Sox resume the battle for the BP Cup this afternoon at Wrigley Field in what figures to be another very challenging game for the Cubs. The offense has shown signs of life against lefties over the last two days putting up four runs against Jose Quintana on Monday then a two-spot on the board against Chris Sale. But John Danks has had their number over the years, especially at Wrigley, and the Cubs must make the southpaw work in just his second start since coming back from left shoulder surgery last August.

David DeJesus is expected back in the starting lineup this afternoon. DeJesus has not been a part of the starting nine since Sunday’s fireworks in Cincinnati. DeJesus has had success in his career against Danks and with only left handed options for centerfield, Dale Sveum said Tuesday that DeJesus would get the start today. Lefties have hit John Danks better than right-handed hitters over the course of the southpaw’s career (left handers .269/.330/.372; right handers .252/.314/.372) so running out a balanced lineup might be the best approach for Dale Sveum, especially with Luis Valbuena being a perfect 3-for-3 against Danks while Cody Ransom is hitless (0-for-3).

Following this afternoon’s matchup of Scott Feldman and John Danks, Travis Wood is scheduled to face Jake Peavy on Thursday.

Expect a fast game today as both teams have said publically they are looking forward to watching game seven tonight between the Blackhawks and Red Wings.

The White Sox won all three at Wrigley a year ago and the Cubs will be looking to kick-off a difficult homestand with what would be their third straight victory.

This afternoon it all starts with Scott Feldman …

It appeared Scott Feldman had figured things out after posting four straight victories while the Cubs had not lost a game in which he started since April 21 (five starts), but Feldman ran into the Reds and a very challenging strike zone last Friday night in Cincinnati and gave up five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Feldman did not pitch as bad as he line indicates, he just didn’t make the big pitch when he needed to in order to get out of trouble … plus a couple of close calls did not go his way. Feldman even hit the first home run of his career, a two-run shot off Bronson Arroyo, but in the end it was not enough. Feldman gave up five runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

For as rough of an outing as he had the last time out, Feldman is still 3-1 in his last five starts with a 2.12 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP.

Scott Feldman is 3-1 in four starts at Wrigley this year with a 1.33 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP and will make the eighth start of his career against the White Sox. Feldman is 3-2 in 13 career appearances, seven starts, with a 4.33 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP versus the Sox.

White Sox Career Numbers against Scott Feldman

• Alejandro De Aza – 1-for-6
• Adam Dunn – 1-for-7
• Tyler Flowers – 3-for-5 with a double
• Jeff Keppinger – 2-for-4
• Paul Konerko – 6-for-22 with two doubles, two home runs and three walks
• Alexei Ramirez – 4-for-18 with a home run and two walks
• Alex Rios – 10-for-29 with four doubles, two home runs and a walk
• Dayan Viciedo – 1-for-7
• Casper Wells – 0-for-2
• Dewayne Wise – 1-for-5

John Danks makes just his second start of the season this afternoon. Danks is coming off a very good outing against the Marlins in which he allowed three runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts in six innings. It was Danks’ first appearance on a big league mound since last May 19 at Wrigley Field.

John Danks is 3-1 in five career games against the Cubs with a 2.30 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. Danks appears to take his game to another level when he faces the Cubs … and both the numbers and his actions back up that statement. Danks has never lost a game at Wrigley Field and is a perfect 2-0 in three starts with a 0.93 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against John Danks

• Darwin Barney – 0-for-3
• Julio Borbon – 0-for-1
• Starlin Castro – 1-for-5
• David DeJesus – 8-for-23 with two doubles and two walks
• Scott Hairston – 1-for-3
• Dioner Navarro – 5-for-15 with two doubles and a walk
• Cody Ransom – 0-for-3
• Alfonso Soriano – 3-for-10 with two doubles and two walks
• Luis Valbuena – 3-for-3

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …