Wellemeyer vs. Lilly – Start ‘em or sit ‘em?


Following is a look at the Cardinals’ past numbers against Sunday Cubs starting pitcher Ted Lilly and the Cubs’ hitters success facing Cards starter Todd Wellemeyer (pictured). Of course, some of the “start” players may sit and “sit” players may be in the lineups, but this does indicate what occurred previously.

Cards vs. Lilly

Since coming over to the National League, Lilly has been tough on the Cardinals as a team and Ryan Ludwick specifically with nine strikeouts in 20 at-bats. As no surprise, Albert Pujols seems to hit against anyone, any time, including the veteran left-hander Lilly.

Lilly G/Starts IP W-L ERA WHIP OBA
Career vs. StL 11/11 75 1/3 6-2 2.99 1.06 0.223
2008 vs. StL 5/5 35 1/3 3-0 3.06 1.05 0.238
Start ’em
Chris Duncan 2-for-6 (.333)
Rick Ankiel 3-for 12 (.250) 1HR, 5K
Albert Pujols 9-for-28 (.371) 2HR, 5BB, 3K
Sit ’em
Khalil Greene 1-for-10 (.100) 1K
Ryan Ludwick 3-for-20 (.150) 4BB, 9K
Yadier Molina 4-for-23 (.174) 1HR, 2BB, 5K
Skip Schumaker 1-for-12 (.083)
Brendan Ryan 4-for-17 (.235) 1BB, 4K


Cubs vs. Wellemeyer

Since Wellemeyer accrued the majority of his MLB appearances to date as a reliever wearing the Cubs uniform, almost all of his results facing them occurred last season – a very small sample.

Ryan Theriot has reached base in seven of his 12 plate appearances vs. Wellemeyer on three walks and four hits. On the other side of the coin, Friday’s hero Alfonso Soriano has whiffed in five of nine career at-bats against the Cardinals starter.

Wellemeyer G/Starts IP W-L ERA WHIP OBA
Career vs. ChC 5/4 22 2/3 2-2 3.18 1.37 0.256
2008 vs. ChC 4/4 21 2/3 2-2 3.32 1.38 0.256
Career at Wrigley 35/1 61 6-3 5.31 1.48 0.247
Start ’em
Ryan Theriot 4-for-9 (.444) 3BB
Reed Johnson 5-for-12 (.417) 3K
Joey Gathright 2-for-3 (.667)
Mike Fontenot 2-for-5 (.400) 2BB
Aramis Ramirez 3-for-9 (.333)
Sit ’em
Kosuke Fukudome 0-for-4 (.000) 1BB
Derrek Lee 2-for-12 (.167) 2K
Alfonso Soriano 2-for-9 (.222) 5K
Geovany Soto 1-for-8 (.125) 2BB, 1K


Programming note

I have agreed to co-host a live blog during Sunday evening’s game with the folks at Baseball Daily Digest. If you want to participate or just look in, here is the link.