Talkin’ Cubs Live – Cubs vs. Braves – 05/09/12

Paul Maholm (3-2, 5.13/1.14) vs. Tim Hudson (1-0, 6.55/1.55)

Even with the disappointing loss Tuesday night, with a victory this afternoon the Cubs have a chance to post their second consecutive series win and finish the six-game homestand against the Dodgers and Braves with a 4-2 record.

The Cubs will turn to Paul Maholm in the series finale and with not using Rafael Dolis and James Russell last night, if the Cubs have a lead late in the game both of Dale Sveum’s young relievers should be available.

Chipper Jones is expected to retire at the end of the season. The future Hall of Famer will play his last regular season game at Wrigley Field this afternoon. The old ballyard has not been that friendly to Jones over his career. In 54 games, Jones is 44-for-200 with three doubles and 10 home runs (.220/.303/.393/.696).

Will Welington Castillo be behind the plate this afternoon? What about Darwin Barney at second base?

Today all starts with Paul Maholm … Paul Maholm is coming off three excellent starts against three very good teams (Reds, Phillies and Dodgers). Maholm has allowed a total of three earned runs in his last three starts on 12 hits with three walks and 10 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings (1.47 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP). In his last outing, Maholm held the Dodgers to one run on three hits in six innings with no walks and four strikeouts. Maholm has also received run support, something he did not get a lot of last year.

Maholm’s home numbers are slowly improving after a rough debut. Maholm is 2-1 in three starts at Wrigley this season with a 4.50 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

This afternoon will be Paul Maholm’s seventh career start against the Atlanta Braves. Maholm is 1-1 in the first six with a 1.58 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP … last season, no decision in one start. Maholm allowed one run on nine hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings.

Braves Career Numbers against Paul Maholm

• Michael Bourn – 7-for-29 with a double and three walks
• Matt Diaz – 3-for-12 with a home run
• Juan Francisco – 0-for-1
• Freddie Freeman – 1-for-3 with a double
• Jason Heyward – 1-for-4
• Chipper Jones – 0-for-6
• Brian McCann – 0-for-1
• Martin Prado – 5-for-11 with a double
• David Ross – 7-for-23 with two home runs and four walks
• Dan Uggla – 7-for-22 with a double, two home runs and two walks

After spending a majority of the first month on the DL recovering from back surgery, Tim Hudson will make his third start of the season this afternoon. Hudson is coming off a no decision against the Rockies in Colorado in which he allowed seven runs, six earned, on six hits with three walks and six strikeouts in six innings. In his first start, Hudson held the Battlin’ Bucs to two runs on six hits in five innings with a pair of walks and six strikeouts.

Tim Hudson had his way with the Chicago Cubs early in his career. In five starts, Hudson is 2-0 with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. Hudson did not face the Cubs last season … and has started a game against the Cubs since 2008. Hudson is 1-0 in three career starts at Wrigley with a 2.91 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.

Cubs Career Numbers against Tim Hudson

• Jeff Baker – 1-for-4 with a home run
• Reed Johnson – 0-for-9
• Alfonso Soriano – 6-for-35 with a double, three home runs and two walks
• Geovany Soto – 2-for-6
• Ian Stewart – 1-for-9 with a home run

Let’s Talk Cubs Baseball …

Limited Edition Ron Santo Hall of Fame Lithograph

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John Hanley, in conjunction with the Santo Family and JDRF, has produced a Ron Santo HOF Limited Edition Print with a portion of the proceeds going to JDRF. Those interested in purchasing the print honoring Ron Santo can visit www.johnhanleyartist.com.

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