The Chicago Cubs can take three of four games on the road vs. the Philadelphia Phillies with a win on Monday night, but they'll be relying (at least in part) on a pitcher who likely sees Citizens Bank Park as something close to a haunted house. Cubs starter Chris Volstad made six career starts in the Phillies' house while a member of the Miami Marlins, posting a 6.53 ERA and giving up 11 homers in just over 30 innings. His inability to effectively pitch against Philadelphia (his career ERA against them is 5.88) was likely one of the driving factors that led to the Marlins shipping him out.
But the good news for Volstad is that two of his main tormenters are on Philadelphia's disabled list. The headliner in that regard is Ryan Howard, who in 31 plate appearances vs. Volstad had an OPS of 2.042, thanks to eight homers. The other is Chase Utley, who has a .926 career OPS vs. Volstad. The bad news is that Philadelphia stalwarts like Jimmy Rollins, Carlos Ruiz and Shane Victorino will all presumably be in the line up on Monday, and those three have all battered Volstad in their careers as well.
Of course, Volstad's lousy career numbers against the Phillies doesn't mean that he can't— or won't— throw a gem on Monday night, and it would help if the Cubs could get him some run support early. To that end, they'll have to solve Phillies starter Vance Worley, who was expected to fall back some after a shockingly stellar 2011. That has yet to happen, though, as Worley will enter tonight's start with a 2.16 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP.
Game date/time: Monday, April 30, 6:05 p.m. CT
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: CSN Chicago
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