Results tagged ‘ Paul Maholm ’
4/10 Cubs lineup – UPDATED
Paul Maholm makes his first start for the Cubs on Tuesday night. If you’re coming to the game, make sure you bundle up. It’s cold and wind is blowing out of northwest. Maholm needs to watch out for Ryan Braun, who is 11-for-33 against him, and also Carlos Gomez, who is 5-for-12. Both are in the Brewers lineup as is former Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who has hit two homers off the lefty. Bryan LaHair is not starting vs lefty Chris Narveson. Jeff Baker, who is 5-for-15 vs Narveson, is starting at first.
“I’m going to get Baker in there as much as possible,” Dale Sveum said of Baker, who has a career .309 against left-handers. “He swings the bat too good against left-handers to get him out of there. You try to get [Bryan] LaHair at-bats and get him accustomed but [LaHair] didn’t swing too well against left-handers in Spring Training. I’ve got to get Baker’s bat in there as much as I possibly can.”
Here’s the Cubs lineup:
RF DeJesus
2B Barney
SS Castro
LF Soriano
3B Stewart
1B Baker
C Soto
CF Byrd
P Maholm
– Carrie Muskat
3/31 Cubs 3, Angels 3, 10 innings
What went right:
Paul Maholm gave up two runs on three hits over 4 2/3 innings. Joe Mather doubled and scored on an error in the fifth and Tony Campana reached on a bunt single, stole second and eventually scored on a ground out in the sixth. Reed Johnson stole home during a double steal. The bullpen did well as Carlos Marmol, Rafael Dolis and James Russell each threw a hitless inning. Dolis has not given up a run over nine innings this spring.
What went wrong:
Howie Kendrick doubled with one out in the Angels first and Albert Pujols launched the first pitch from Maholm to left to go ahead, 2-0. It’s a good thing Pujols is now in the American League. In the regular season, he has a career .564 (22-for-39) batting average against Maholm, including two home runs.
“There’s a reason I made sure no [American League] West team was on my wish list,” said Maholm, who was a free agent this offseason.
Maholm’s next outing will be Wednesday in a Minor League game at Fitch Park and then he’ll join the big league team in Chicago for Opening Day festivities on Thursday.
Quotable:
“I’ve got all the time in the world. The game’s three hours and I meet with [the media] for 10, 15 minutes a day and the rest of my job is when I see things or teaching factors of the game. That’s just the way I am. I’m more hands on, whether it’s hitting fungoes, throwing batting practice. It’s just something I do and have always done.” — Cubs manager Dale Sveum on how he’ll work with the players during the regular season, the way he has this spring.
Injury report:
Marcos Mateo continues to rehab from right elbow soreness. He will not be ready for Opening Day.
This and that:
Looking ahead, Jay Jackson will start Monday against the Diamondbacks in Scottsdale and Travis Wood will close the Cactus League season on Tuesday against the Brewers. Tuesday’s game will start one hour earlier at 12:05 p.m. Arizona time and be broadcast on WGN Radio.
Up next:
Lefty Chris Rusin will start on Sunday when the Cubs travel to Tempe to face the Angels for the second straight day. The fourth round pick in 2009, Rusin was 3-2 with a 3.91 ERA at Double-A Tennessee last year and 5-2 with a 4.02 ERA at Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs lineup will be David DeJesus in right, Darwin Barney at second, Starlin Castro at short, Alfonso Soriano in left, Bryan LaHair at first, Ian Stewart at third, Marlon Byrd in center, Geovany Soto as the designated hitter, and Steve Clevenger catching. The game will be broadcast on Cubs.com.
– Carrie Muskat
3/31 Maholm happy to say bye to Pujols
Paul Maholm admitted he felt a little ”off” with his mechanics on Saturday.
“They had a pretty decent lineup,” the lefty said of the Angels.
Maholm gave up two runs on three hits, including a two-run homer by Albert Pujols in the first, over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out six.
“The first pitch to Pujols wasn’t supposed to be right down the middle and it was,” Maholm said. “He’s paid pretty well to do that.”
Maholm won’t have to face Pujols again until an Interleague matchup.
“There’s a reason I made sure no [American League] West team was on my wish list,” said Maholm, a free agent this offseason.
Maholm will pitch at Fitch Park on Wednesday, then join the Cubs in Chicago for Opening Day at Wrigley Field on Thursday. How good is the Cubs rotation?
“We’ll have to see,” Maholm said. “With [Ryan Dempster], he’s got a good track record. [Matt Garza] has the stuff and everything to be an ace, and the rest of us have to do our job. It’ll be on us. We’ll learn from each other, push each other and have fun and try to out pitch each other.”
Maholm has spent his entire career with the Pirates. How does he compare this spring with other camps?
“I thought everything was perfect,” he said. “Guys, on a consistent basis, were here early every morning, getting extra work in, making sure they were prepared to go on the field and when games start, guys were busting it. You don’t see a lot of guys taking it like, oh, it’s just Spring Training. We have to get ready and push ourselves to get ready for the season. I think that’s kind of [Dale Sveum's] personality. You work hard, play hard and have fun later.”
Clint Hurdle set the tone with the Pirates last season. Maholm said Sveum isn’t as loud as Hurdle.
“You respect the guy for coming in, laying it down and saying this is how we’re going to play and this is what I expect, and guys are taking a hold of it,” Maholm said.
– Carrie Muskat
3/30 Dodgers 6, Cubs 3
What went right:
Ryan Dempster tuned up for Opening Day with 4 2/3 innings, giving up one run on four hits and three walks. His next start will be April 5 at Wrigley Field against the Nationals. Ian Stewart hit his second spring homer with two outs in the fourth. Alfonso Soriano added a RBI double.
All the grounders bench coach Jamie Quirk has been hitting to Darwin Barney paid off in the second when the second baseman made a nifty move to his right to rob Juan Uribe of a potential hit.
What went wrong:
With the game tied at 1 in the seventh, the Dodgers had two on and one out against Manuel Corpas. Dee Gordon lined the ball to right and one out later, Corpas departed. James Loney then smacked a single off Lendy Castillo, a Rule 5 pickup whom the Cubs are trying to decide whether to keep this season, to go ahead, 4-1.
The Cubs may want to keep Joe Mather at first, third or in the outfield. He subbed at second base for the first time and booted a ball for an error in the ninth. On the next play, though, he did turn a double play.
Quotable:
“If someone would’ve told me I would have this well of a camp, I’d be jumping up and down. It’s been awesome. They gave me quite a bit of an opportunity and it feels good to take advantage of that.” — Joe Mather, who was told Thursday he’d made the Opening Day roster.
Injury report:
Marcos Mateo continues to rehab from right elbow soreness. He will not be ready for Opening Day.
This and that:
* There are technically 11 relievers still on the spring roster, and the Cubs will head north with seven. Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood and James Russell are set. Casey Coleman is on the list of 11 but has been told he’s going to Triple-A Iowa. Frankie De La Cruz also was in the Minor League camp and not expected to make the Opening Day roster. That leaves Manuel Corpas, Alberto Cabrera, Shawn Camp, Lendy Castillo, Rodrigo Lopez, and Rafael Dolis. Dale Sveum said the final decision may not be made until Wednesday, the workout day at Wrigley Field.
* Sveum did reveal his Opening Day lineup against the Dodgers. When they open the season against the Nationals at Wrigley Field next Thursday, it’ll most likely be: RF David DeJesus, 2B Darwin Barney, SS Starlin Castro, 1B Bryan LaHair, LF Alfonso Soriano, 3B Ian Stewart, CF Marlon Byrd, C Geovany Soto and P Ryan Dempster.
Up next:
Paul Maholm will make his fourth Cactus League start on Saturday when the Cubs play host to the Angels at HoHoKam Park. Maholm, who will be the fifth starter in the rotation, has struck out 10 over 10 innings this spring. He’s given up one earned run on eight hits. The game will be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net and also WGN Radio.
– Carrie Muskat
3/26 Cubs 2, Padres 0; Dbacks 3, Cubs 2
What went right:
Paul Maholm struck out six over five scoreless innings against the Padres in Mesa. Carlos Marmol, pitching in his first game since March 20, gave up one hit, walked one and struck out one in one inning. Bryan LaHair, who had five hits in his last six at-bats, hit a RBI double in the first. In Scottsdale, Blake DeWitt was 2-for-4 with a double while Scott Maine walked two and struck out one in one inning.
What went wrong:
Cubs missed a chance in the second when they loaded bases with two outs and Padres pitcher Tim Stauffer got Starlin Castro to fly out. Castro did draw a walk in the first, his first this spring, and doubled in the fifth.
Quotable:
“I just want to stay where I’m at. I want to stay consistent with the breaking ball. I’ve had a good spring working on that, probably more than I have normally in Spring Training, and just command. You need to have a second pitch and have command of your fastball when you break camp. I’m trying to be fresh for the start of the year.” — Kerry Wood on his spring game plan
Notable:
* The Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Shawn Camp, who was released by the Mariners on March 21. He may not be the only pitcher added before the regular season begins. The Cubs are looking at other options for the bullpen. Rafael Dolis could make the team. He picked up the save in Mesa and Dale Sveum has raved about his stuff this spring. Earlier this spring, the Cubs claimed Frankie De La Cruz off waivers from the Brewers. They may not be done as far as they try to find a workable bullpen.
Trever Miller was released on Monday, which left James Russell and Scott Maine as the only left-handed relievers still in camp. At least one of them will stay. Marmol and Kerry Wood are set, which would leave four openings. Lendy Castillo, 22, the Rule 5 pickup who is a converted shortstop, has a 3.12 ERA in eight appearances and has shown a lot of poise for a pitcher who last season was on a Class A roster in only his second season of pitching. Casey Coleman pitched well Monday against the Padres, giving up one hit and striking out two over two innings of relief. He could be the long man. So could Rodrigo Lopez if he’s not in the rotation.
* Kerry Wood is slated to pitch Saturday. It’s been his plan to cut back on Cactus League innings to prepare for the regular season.
Up next:
Matt Garza will make his fifth spring start on Tuesday when the Cubs travel to Goodyear to face the Reds. Garza did not give up an earned run over five innings in his last outing, and has eight strikeouts over 12 1/3 innings. The game will be broadcast on Cubs.com
– Carrie Muskat
3/21 Maholm strikes out 7 in Minor League game
Paul Maholm may have been facing the Giants’ Class A team on Wednesday but the Cubs lefty accomplished what he set out to do in a Minor League game at Fitch Park. Maholm struck out seven over five innings and gave up one run on two hits and a walk. The only run scored with one out in the second inning when a batter doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly.
“It was good,” Maholm said of the outing. “I’m getting a little better with pitch sequences and everything but as far as getting ahead of hitters and challenging them, that was the main thing I wanted to do. When I threw first pitch breaking balls they were for strikes for the most part. There were some pitches that obviously weren’t perfect but that’s part of it. It was a building block and a positive to get through it with five innings.”
Maholm has made two Cactus League starts. Wednesday was an off day for the rest of the Cubs but Maholm started for Class A Daytona to stay on schedule.
“I have two or three more [starts],” Maholm said. “You have to make sure you’re ready and don’t get too ramped up and make sure you’re ready for the season, which is the biggest thing, and your health is good, which is the main concern at this point. I just want to keep building up pitches and innings.”
– Carrie Muskat
3/14 Pitching probables
The Cubs starters for the weekend series in Las Vegas are scheduled to be Jeff Samardzija on Saturday and Chris Volstad on Sunday. Both games are against the Rangers at Cashman Field. They’re split squad games, and on Saturday, Paul Maholm will start against the Athletics in Phoenix. Andy Sonnanstine was slated to start Sunday against the White Sox at HoHoKam Park in Mesa.
– Carrie Muskat
3/12 Cubs 8, Reds 6
What went right:
Alfonso Soriano belted his fourth spring homer, Joe Mather added a go-ahead three-run shot in the seventh, and Blake Lalli hit a solo homer in the eighth to power the Cubs. Paul Maholm made his first spring start and gave up one run on two hits over two innings. Lendy Castillo struck out two of the three batters he faced.
What went wrong:
Carlos Marmol had another tough outing. The Cubs closer walked the first batter he faced, gave up a double, and one out later, hit a batter to load the bases. Donald Lutz hit a two-run single and Marmol walked the next batter before Didi Gregorius’ sac fly, which gave the Reds a 6-4 lead.
Quotable:
“I was happy to get out there. After going through [pitcher fielding practice] and throwing bullpens, you really don’t feel a part of it and then you get out there and it went well. I wish I would’ve gotten ahead of a couple more guys. My main thing was no walks and I was aggressive and went after the guys.” — Paul Maholm
Up next:
Chris Volstad will make his second spring appearance when he starts Tuesday for the Cubs against the Giants in Scottsdale. Volstad, one of the candidates for a spot in the rotation, gave up one hit over three innings in his first outing. The game will be broadcast on Cubs.com.
– Carrie Muskat
3/12 Maholm gets first start
Paul Maholm makes his first Cactus League start on Monday when the Cubs face the Reds at HoHoKam Park. The Cubs are using a DH since it is Maholm’s first start. Maholm was slowed this spring by the flu but Dale Sveum says the lefty isn’t that far behind the other starters.
“He hasn’t missed any time, he just hasn’t been out there for the first eight games to face another team,” Sveum said Monday.
The plan is for Maholm to go two innings or 30-35 pitches.
“Hopefully, two innings before the 35 pitches,” Sveum said.
Last season, Maholm was 6-14 with a 3.66 ERA in 26 starts with the Pirates. He made his final start Aug. 17 and then was shut down for the rest of the season because of a strained left shoulder. Sveum said they’ll watch Maholm’s innings.
“I think he’s a guy you have to stay on top of and keep those innings at a certain pace,” Sveum said. “He knows and understands how to get quick outs with the sinker so he can go deeper in the game.”
Other pitchers slated to go Monday include Lendy Castillo, Jeff Samardzija, Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol.
– Carrie Muskat
3/9 Extra bases
The Cubs trimmed the spring camp roster by four, sending right-handed pitchers Marco Carillo and Trey McNutt, outfielder Jae-Hoon Ha, and infielder Jonathan Mota to the Minor League camp. With the moves, the spring roster now is 59. McNutt battled injuries in a 5-6 season last year at Double-A Tennessee.
“He’s got the stuff, he’s got the makeup,” Dale Sveum said of the right-hander. “He’s just got to be more consistent with his breaking ball. He’s got to understand how to use it and when to use it. He works as hard as anybody. His makeup is great. It’s just a matter of going out there and being more consistent on an every start basis.”
* Alfonso Soriano has hit three homers and led off Friday’s game with his second double this spring. The left fielder has shortened his leg kick. Said Sveum: ”It might have been time where he came up with it. As you get older, the bat slows down, and you’ve got to have a lot less moving parts to your swing, especially that big ol’ log he swings. Less moving parts, the easier.”
* Paul Maholm will make his first Cactus League start on Monday when the Cubs face the Reds in Mesa at HoHoKam Park.
– Carrie Muskat
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