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.
St. Louis will counter with Jake Westbrook, who pitched a gem in his opening start, blanking the Cincinnati Reds over seven innings. The good news for the Cubs is that they hit Westbrook hard last season— he posted a 6.46 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in three games vs. Chicago. Wesbtrook also returns home, where his ERA was a run and a half higher in 2011 than it was on the road.
Game time/date: 1:15 p.m. CT
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.
TV: CSN
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.
St. Louis will counter with Jake Westbrook, who pitched a gem in his opening start, blanking the Cincinnati Reds over seven innings. The good news for the Cubs is that they hit Westbrook hard last season— he posted a 6.46 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP in three games vs. Chicago. Wesbtrook also returns home, where his ERA was a run and a half higher in 2011 than it was on the road.
Game time/date: 1:15 p.m. CT
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.
TV: CSN
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.