Game 2 Pitching Matchup

October 4, 2007 by Chris Hall

Last night, Brandon Webb proved to be the better man and outlasted Cubs’ Ace, Carlos Zambrano. Both pitchers threw less than 90 pitches, but Webb had a full inning of work more than Zambrano. That was key because while the D-Backs were able to bridge the game to Valverde with Lyon, the Cubs’ reliever Marmol collapsed under the pressure.

Doug Davis

The D-Backs #2 pitcher has struggled in his last few outings but has generally been solid since the All-Star Break. He knows the Cubs, having come from the Brewers last year. He believes his late-season struggles came from a mechanical flaw that tipped his curve-ball to the hitters. After watching film, he corrected the problem before his final outing of the season. He gave up 2 runs in five innings before being lifted for a pinch hitter.

Davis has had success against the Cubs. He is 7-5 lifetime against them and 5-2 since 2005. His latest victory against Chicago came in August, when he out-dueled Ted Lilly in Chase Field. Soriano has had some success against Davis, but Lee and Ramirez have both struggled against him.

Ted Lilly

As a solid #2 pitcher for the Cubs, winning 16 games this season. He is 9-1 after a Cubs loss this season. Last time he faced the D-Backs, Conor Jackson hit a two-run homerun to lift Arizona to victory. He is a solid #2 with 4 quality pitches. If his breaking stuff isn’t electric, he is beatable. If he brings his A-Game, the D-Backs are in for a long night at the plate.

Lilly has never beaten Arizona and is 6-3 on the road this year (out of 15 starts). He has pitched 16 total innings against the D-Backs and has given up 8 runs on 15 hits.

The D-Backs are solid against left-handed pitchers, but the righty-centric Cubs lineup will be chomping at the bit to get at lefty Davis. You almost get the feeling that both teams saved all their hits for tonight.

Bottom line: The D-Backs live and die with Davis. If Good Doug shows up, they win. If Bad Doug shows up, they lose. A pitcher’s duel tonight bodes well for the home team. A slug-fest does not.

Posted in mlb, baseball, arizona diamondbacks