Pirates, Maholm Look To Take Down Cubs, Zambrano Today In Wrigley

In 2010, Pittsburgh Pirates starter Paul Maholm put up a 2.25 ERA in winning his first

three starts against the Chicago Cubs.  Let’s trust he can start off 2011 in the same manner and keep it rolling through the season.  Last year the success against the Cubs was ruined in one poor outing when he was ripped in an August 30 game for eight runs in just 3.1 innings pitched.

Maholm’s 6.42 career ERA is his second worst against any NL opponent. However, Maholm is 7-2 lifetime against the Cubbies.  I love baseball.

Paul Maholm sucked in 2010.  The bad guys hit .303 against him.  We think the work that Ray Searage has done will help this season. Watch him closely today if you can.

The Bucs southpaw faces a Cub team that was credited with 11 hits yesterday.  The Cubbie faithful don’t want to hear it, but the Cubs hardly looked formidable as an offense.  Starling Castro was tremendous in the field and helped his club at the plate with three of those knocks.

The Pirates fielding was comical yesterday.  On pop ups.  Enough of that shitt, that’s easy to fix.  And Maholm will need the Bucs to play much smarter in the field to have success today.

Lumber!

Neil Walker is hitting .467 with four homers and 11 RBIs in seven games against the Cubs since the start of last season.

Andrew McCutchen is batting .446 with 12 RBIs, 14 runs and a .530 on-base percentage in 15 games.

Zambrano started one game against the Bucs last year.  It was August 30 and Z allowed a run in 5.1IP.  The Cubs dominated Paul Maholm on the way to a 14-2 win.

The big right-hander is 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA in his last 10 starts against Pittsburgh.

Follow RumBunter on Twitter

Stay Thirsty

Thank you Gregg

Thank you Chuck Wun

Thank you Ray, let’s trust that all the work with Maholm in Spring Training shows this season