Ted, 33, opens his third campaign with the Cubs today against the Houston Astros … has won 32 games in his first two seasons with the Cubs since signing a four-year deal with Chicago in December 2006.
Has won 10 or more games in each of the past six seasons – is one of five southpaws to accomplish the feat, joining Mark Buehrle, CC Sabathia, Johan Santana and Barry Zito.
With 15 victories in 2007 and 17 in 2008, is the first Cubs lefty with consecutive 15-win seasons since Ken Holtzman won 17 in both 1969 and 1970.
In 10 major league seasons, has compiled a 91-75 ledger with a 4.40 ERA (659 ER/1347.2 IP) and 1,157 strikeouts.
His 47 wins since the start of the 2006 season rank third among major league southpaws … Johan Santana (51) and CC Sabathia (48) lead.
Has tossed 6.0 or more innings in 135 career starts, going 79-29 with a 2.77 ERA (279 ER/905.2 IP) … has limited the opponent to a .209 batting average against in those outings.
Has also pitched for Montreal (1999), the Yankees (2000-2002), Oakland (2002-2003) and Toronto (2004-2006).
Last Time Out
Took the loss in the Cubs’ 7-4 setback to the Yankees in the inaugural game at the new Yankee Stadium April 3 … allowed seven runs on eight hits and one walk, while fanning two in 4.0 frames.
2008 Season
Lilly set career marks with 17 victories and 184 strikeouts while tying his career high with 34 starts … his 204.2 innings of work narrowly missed his career high of 207.0 innings pitched in 2007.
Finished the season 17-9 with a 4.09 ERA (93 ER/204.2 IP) in 34 starts … his 17 victories are the most by a Cubs southpaw in 28 years since Ken Holtzman won 17 games in 1970.
His 184 strikeouts were the fourth-highest single-season total by a southpaw in franchise history … the top three: Ken Holtzman with 202 strikeouts in 1970, Hippo Vaughn with 195 in 1917 and Dick Ellsworth with 185 in 1963.
Tossed 6.0 or more innings in 27 outings, including nine consecutive starts from July 18-August 30 – he was 4-2 with a 3.34 ERA (22 ER/59.1 IP) during the stretch.
Went 10-4 with a 3.77 ERA (48 ER/114.2 IP) in 19 road starts … surrendered three or fewer runs in 14 of those outings … owned a season-high five-game road winning streak, June 15-August 25.
Went 17-6 with a 3.58 ERA (74 ER/186.0 IP) in his final 30 outings after beginning the season 0-3 with a 9.16 ERA (19 ER/18.2 IP) in his first four starts.
Combined to go 8-1 with a 3.79 ERA (32 ER/76.0 IP) in 12 starts in May and June.
Posted a 3.02 ERA (14 ER/41.2 IP) in six June starts – was his lowest monthly ERA of the season.
Had three four-win months, going 4-0 with a 4.72 ERA (18 ER/34.1 IP) in May, 4-1 with a 3.02 ERA (14 ER/41.2 IP) in June and 4-1 with a 3.30 ERA (11 ER/30.0 IP) in September.
2008 Notable Starts
In his first outing of the 2008 season, Lilly was tagged with an 8-2 loss April 2 against the Brewers at Wrigley … he allowed four runs on five hits (one home run), walking none and striking out four in 4.2 innings of work.
Surrendered a leadoff homer to Rickie Weeks, then retired 10 of next 11 batters faced before Milwaukee used three consecutive hits in the fourth to plate two more runs.
Recorded his third consecutive win in Chicago’s 8-5 victory over the Padres May 14 … allowed four runs on six hits, while walking only one in 6.0 innings of work.
Lilly fanned a season-high 11, marking the first time he has struck out 11 or more batters since June 10, 2006 in Detroit with Toronto when he struck out 12.
Hurled a season-high 8.0 innings for the second time this season in September 10’s 4-3 win over the Cardinals … allowed just one run on five hits, while walking none and fanning five … set the season mark when he tossed 8.0 frames June 30 at San Francisco.
Laid down a pair of sacrifice hits for the second time this year … also August 14 at Atlanta.
Took a no-hitter into the seventh inning September 15 … earned the win in the Cubs 6-1 victory over the Astros in Miller Park, tossing 7.0 shutout innings, yielding one hit and walking one.
Fanned nine to push his season total to a then career high 175 … his previous mark was 174 set in 2007.
Earned his then career-high 15th win of the season, marking his third straight 15-win season.
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