Among the classic mismatches of all time, somewhere behind Christians versus lions and Allied Forces versus Iraq, comes Greg Maddux against the ’97 Cubs.
In one corner Sunday stood Maddux, the former Cub who had never lost a game to the team that let him go. In the other were the Cubs, who hadn’t won a game yet this season and were hitting a combined .193.
The lions had it much easier.
Maddux machine-gunned his way through the struggling Cubs lineup, needing only 91 pitches in eight innings in a 4-0 victory before 41,318 at Turner Field.
Coming on the heels of an 11-5 loss to Atlanta in the completion of Saturday night’s suspended game, the Cubs scratched out only three hits in losing their sixth straight game, including one from losing pitcher Terry Mulholland.
The Cubs head home for Tuesday’s home opener against Florida, trying to avoid tying their 0-7 start in 1962, the team’s worst start since 1900. Tough year so far for the Cubs.
Tough century too.
Will Cubs fans start throwing in the towel already?
“It’s too early for that,” said Sammy Sosa, hitting .136 with no RBIs. “At home, we’ll play a little better. I know I haven’t done the job lately. But we’re not scared, and we won’t panic.”
Mulholland pitched well in a seven-inning stint, allowing two earned runs and trying to overcome four Cubs errors, including one of his own.
The Cubs’ average dropped to .178 after Maddux was through with them and they lead the National League with 11 errors.
The homecoming is Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Paper bags are optional. No goats allowed.
