Game Ninety-One: Cubs (41-49) vs. Cardinals (52-35)
- Game Time – 3:05pm CDT
- Coverage – TV: WGN TV – Radio: 720 WGN, XM Radio Channels 187/844
- Location – Wrigley Field, Chicago
Carlos Villanueva (2-4, 3.39/1.17) vs. Joe Kelly (0-3, 4.15/1.41)
The Cubs will try to make it two in a row over the best team in baseball this afternoon behind Carlos Villanueva. The Cubs have won five of their last six games and outside of the blowout on Wednesday night, the Cubs have played good ball of late.
Carlos Villanueva makes second start since returning to the rotation. Villanueva figures to be limited to 75-85 pitches as the Cubs work to stretch him back out. Villanueva had a good first half in a Cubs’ uniform and figures to finish the season in the Cubs’ rotation … that is, if he is not moved.
Today is the second of four 3:05pm start times that the Cubs were able to add this season after the night game ordinance passed.
With Carlos Villanueva and Joe Kelly both working their way back to an unlimited pitch count as a starter, today’s game figures to be decided by the bullpens.
This afternoon all starts with Carlos Villanueva …
Carlos Villanueva is making his second start since returning to the rotation in the wake of Scott Feldman being traded to the Orioles. Villanueva gave up one run on three hits with a walk and five strikeouts to the Pirates in four innings before hitting his pitch limit and turning the game over to the bullpen. Villanueva put his team into position to win the game … and they did, 4-3.
Villanueva is 1-3 in nine starts this season with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.
Carlos Villanueva makes his third appearance against the Cardinals this season. Villanueva has both started a game against the Redbirds and pitched in relief. In 7 1/3 innings versus St. Louis this year, Villanueva has allowed three runs on nine hits with three walks and two strikeouts (3.68 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP). Villanueva was effective in his first start and the Cubs will need a similar outing this afternoon … on the limited pitch count (three runs on seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings).
Cardinals Career Numbers against Carlos Villanueva
- Carlos Beltran – 2-for-6 with a walk
- Matt Carpenter – 1-for-3 with a walk
- Allen Craig – 1-for-2 with a walk
- Daniel Descalso – 1-for-4
- David Freese – 1-for-4
- Matt Holliday – 4-for-13 with two home runs and two walks
- Jon Jay – 3-for-6 with a walk
- Rob Johnson – 1-for-2 with a walk
- Pete Kozma – 2-for-3 with a walk
- Yadier Molina – 4-for-21
Joe Kelly is making his third start of the season today after throwing 20 times out of the pen to start the season. Kelly is coming off a no-decision, but a Cardinals victory, in which he allowed four runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts in six innings.
Joe Kelly has pitched only one inning against the Cubs this year and allowed a hit and struck out a batter. For his career, Kelly is 0-2 in three games, one start, against the Cubs with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP … at Wrigley Field, Kelly is 0-2 in two games, one start, with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP.
Cubs Career Numbers against Joe Kelly
- Darwin Barney – 0-for-1
- Welington Castillo – 2-for-2
- Starlin Castro – 1-for-4 with a double
- Dioner Navarro – 0-for-1
- Cody Ransom – 1-for-3 with a walk
- Anthony Rizzo – 0-for-3
- Alfonso Soriano – 1-for-4 with a triple
- Luis Valbuena – 0-for-3
Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …