Dubs On The Cubs: Can We Just Be Friends?

Z.W. Martin's weekly Cubs column -- first of the young season -- takes a look at Chicago's first ten games and how they ended up with a 3-7 record.

Marlon Byrd Upset About Jackie Robinson Day Negativity

On Monday, as the MLB celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, the Chicago Sun-Times singled out Chicago Cubs outfield Marlon Byrd as the only black American player on either of the city's MLB teams. Jackie Robinson Day celebrates the league's first black player, who began his MLB career in 1947. Since the 1970s, however, the population of black Americans in the league have decreased considerably.

Byrd took time to respond to the article and lodge his own to protest against the negativity surrounding league holiday:

"If you want to take polls, then take polls asking how many black lawyers do we have now, or how many black judges or black doctors there are now," Byrd said. "Just because we're black doesn't mean we have to play sports. You can go through other avenues. If the decrease (in baseball) is because they're going into academic fields, so be it. More power to them."

Kevin Kaduk of Big League Stew also noted that the population of black Americans (about 12 percent) is only slightly larger than the population of black MLB players (about 8 percent), which has a large population of foreigners.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

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Cubs Vs. Cardinals Final Score: St. Louis Wins 10-3

The Chicago Cubs lost 10-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday afternoon in the final match-up of a three-game series between the two teams at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals got the lead early off Cubs starter Paul Maholm before tacking on some extra runs against the Chicago bullpen.

After the Cardinals took a 6-0 lead through three innings, the Cubs responded with a pair of runs to cut the lead down to four. Matt Carpenter, playing first base in place of Lance Berkman, made sure things didn't get any closer though. In the fifth inning, Carpenter hit a two-run homer to put St. Louis up 8-2, and a two-run triple in the seven inning gave the Cardinals their final two runs.

Overall, it was a huge day for Carpenter in particular, as the first baseman went 4-for-4 with a triple, a home run and 5 RBI. Yadier Molina also had a big day, going 2-for-3 with a homer, three runs scored, three RBI and a walk. Reed Johnson was the only Cub to get on base more than once, smacking a pair of hits and scoring twice.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, and for more on the Cardinals check out Viva El Birdos. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Score Update: Chicago Trails 6-0 As Paul Maholm Gets Smacked Around

The Chicago Cubs are trailing 6-0 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning of Sunday afternoon's game as Cubs starter Paul Maholm has struggled badly. The offseason acquisition from Pittsburgh pitched a shutout first inning before giving up six runs over the course of the next two innings.

Maholm isn't likely to go much longer after giving up six runs on six hits and a walk in just three innings. The final dagger was likely Yadier Molina's three-run home run that put St. Louis up 6-0, clearing the bases and capping a four-run third inning.

The Cubs haven't mustered much on offense, getting just one hit off Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook in the first three innings. Center fielder Marlon Byrd hit a single in the second inning, but he was promptly caught stealing, ending any scoring threat that he might have posed.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, and for more on the Cardinals check out Viva El Birdos. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to Baseball Nation.

Chicago Cubs Line Up: New Look On Sunday For Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have a chance on Sunday to win their first series of 2012, but manager Dale Sveum has decided to run out a few of his bench players as he looks to give some regulars a few days of rest with an off-day coming up on Monday. Sveum has also loaded his line up with righties, which is likely a reaction to St. Louis Cardinals righty starter Jake Westbrook putting up reverse splits last season.

Here's today's full line up:

1. Reed Johnson, RF
2. Blake DeWitt, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Jeff Baker, 1B
5. Ian Stewart, 3B
6. Joe Mather, LF
7. Geovany Soto, C
8. Marlon Byrd, CF
9. Paul Maholm, P

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, and for more on the Cardinals check out Viva El Birdos. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, head over to Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals: Chicago Looks For First Series Win of 2012

The Chicago Cubs have a chance on Sunday afternoon to take their first series of 2012, and they'll turn to Paul Maholm to help the team accomplish that. In his first start as a Cub, Maholm gave up six earned runs in four innings to the Milwaukee Brewers, and he will obviously have to pitch better than that up against the St. Louis Cardinals' scorching offense if the Cubs are to have a chance. Maholm also had a rough go of it vs. the Cardinals last season, giving up 18 hits and eight earned runs in 11 innings across two starts.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Score Update: Chicago Drops Game Two

After showing some signs of offensive life in the opening game of their series against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Chicago Cubs sputtered in a 5-1 loss in game two. The Cubs managed to generate only six hits and couldn't find any answer for Lance Lynn, who improved to 2-0 this season.

Chris Volstad didn't have his best stuff on the mound, but was able to give the Cubs six solid innings. Volstad allowed three earned runs and struck our four batters in the loss. Starlin Castro and Alfonso Soriano each recorded two hits in the loss.

The Cardinals were led by Yadier Molina, who drove in two runs in the win. Lance Lynn was outstanding on the mound in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed only one earned run and struck out five batters.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Update: Weather Issues Delay First Pitch

The Chicago Cubs will have to be patient if they hope to win their series against the St. Louis Cardinals, as the second game of the series has been delayed because of rain. At this point, there is no anticipated start time for this game.

The Cubs won the opening game of the series by jumping out to an early 9-0 lead. The Cardinals never really were able to challenge, as Chicago held on for the 9-5 win. Bryan LaHair made a huge impact on the game, hitting a grand slam in the victory. It was LaHair's second home run of the season. Ian Stewart drove in three runs to help lead the Cubs to a win in their road-opener.

Jeff Samardzija earned his second win of the season, as he gave up five runs in five innings. Adam Wainwright took his second loss of the season, throwing only three innings and giving up eight earned runs.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Lineups, Starters And FOX Regional Coverage Map

The Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals at 1:05 PM CT on Saturday and they have a chance to spoil the Cards' World Series ring ceremony after wrecking the 2012 home opener at Busch Stadium on Friday. The game will be nationally televised on FOX, and here is the regional coverage map to check if you are an in-market viewer for the game. The lineups are in and the starting pitchers are set, so here they are:

Starting Pitchers: Chris Volstad (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Lance Lynn (1-0, 1.35 ERA)

Chicago Cubs

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Darwin Barney, 2B
3. Starlin Castro, SS
4. Alfonso Soriano, LF
5. Ian Stewart, 3B
6. Bryan LaHair, 1B
7. Geovany Soto,C
8. Marlon Byrd, CF
9. Chris Volstad, P

St. Louis Cardinals

1. Rafael Furcal, SS
2. Jon Jay, CF
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Carlos Beltran, RF
5. Matt Carpenter, 1B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Daniel Descalso, 3B
8. Tyler Greene, 2B
9. Lance Lynn, P

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs: Chicago Can Claim First Series Win Of 2012 With A Victory On Saturday

The Chicago Cubs jumped all over St. Louis Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright on Friday afternoon, building an 8-0 lead en route to a 9-5 victory in the Cardinals' home opener, and now the Cubs can earn their first series victory of the season with a win on Saturday. The weather in St. Louis is expected to include a lot of rain for most of the day, but if mother nature cooperates Chris Volstad will take the mound for Chicago in opposition to 24-year-old right-hander Lance Lynn for the Cards.

The game is on FOX, so here is the regional coverage map to see if you are in the viewing region. This is the Cubs' lineup:

1. David DeJesus
2. Darwin Barney 2B
3. Starlin Castro SS
4. Alfonso Soriano LF
5. Ian Stewart 3B
6. Bryan LaHair 1B
7. Geovany Soto C
8. Marlon Byrd CF
9. Chris Volstad SP

Here is the key information for today's game.

Date / Time: 1:05 PM CT, Saturday, April 14, 2012

Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

Starting Pitchers: Chris Volstad (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Lance Lynn (1-0, 1.35 ERA)

TV: FOX

Radio: AM 720 WGN

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Final Score: Chicago Defeats St. Louis 9-5

The Chicago Cubs struck early to build a big lead, weathered a five-run fifth inning by the Cardinals, and took the first game of the series from St. Louis, 9-5.

Related: First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Friday 4/13, 2:15 CT

The Cubs got to Adam Wainwright right from the start and scored four runs in the first inning; Ian Stewart's three-run home run was the big play of the frame. They added four more runs in the third inning thanks to a Bryan LaHair grand slam, and Wainwright's day was over after he finished out that inning.

Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija was very good until that rocky fifth inning, where things began to get away from him. Despite 10 hits and five runs allowed, though, he picked up the win.

Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro had multi-hit days for the Cubs, who have now won two in a row.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Score Update: Bryan LaHair Hits Grand Slam In 3rd Inning, Chicago Opens Up 8-0 Lead

The Chicago Cubs are off to a fast start in St. Louis, as they've scored eight runs over the first three innings against Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright.

Related: First Pitch Thread: Cubs vs. Cardinals, Friday 4/13, 2:15 CT

Bryan LaHair added an exclamation point to the top half of the third with a grand slam home run to left center that doubled Chicago's lead from 4-0 to 8-0. It was Chicago's second homer of the game -- Ian Stewart hit a three-run shot in the first inning.

Wainwright, who is finished after three innings of work, gave up eight earned runs for just the second time in his career.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals: Rain Delay In St. Louis, Game To Start At 3:45 P.M.

The Chicago Cubs visit the St. Louis Cardinals for the their home opener at Busch Stadium, but the rains have joined in as well. The game is currently under a rain delay, pushing their start time back from 3:15 p.m. CT to 3:45 p.m. CT at the soonest:

#Cardinals: pre-game ceremonies delayed until 3 p.m. First pitch set for 3:45 p.m. because of rain delay. #stlcards

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) April 13, 2012

The Cubs, who sport a 2-5 record, send SP Jeff Samardzija to the mound in his second start since his 8.2 IP game on Sunday. SP Adam Wainwright, returning from a season-ending surgery in 2011, makes his second start of the season.

For more on this series, stay with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Cubs, visit Bleed Cubbie Blue, while Cardinals news is available at Viva El Birdos. Check out MLB Daily Dish for off-season rumors and reports, and for more news and notes from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

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Cubs Vs. Cardinals: NL Central Rivals Clash The St. Louis Home Opener

The Chicago Cubs take on the rival St. Louis Cardinals in a weekend series at Busch Stadium.