Cubs’ Joe Maddon takes subtle shot at St. Louis Cardinals

The Chicago Cubs look to keep rolling after winning six of their last 10 games.

Starlin Castro remembered the previous time he had six RBIs in a game. Holliday was replaced by a pinch runner. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was also ejected. Cubs starter Dan Haren hit Matt Holliday in the head with a fastball, forcing the outfielder from the game in the fifth inning.

Belisle’s pitch in the seventh sailed behind Rizzo’s legs, and Rizzo walked toward the mound.

Maddon definitely sent a message to the Cardinals with these quotes, although the Cubs do still trail the Cardinals in the division by six full games. Maddon said, “I never read that particular book that the Cardinals wrote way back in the day”. Saturday is another “bullpen day”, and we still don’t know who will start that one (it’s likely going to be Trevor Cahill, but at this writing that’s not official).

Maddon said he’s been impressed with Castro’s attitude since he was demoted from being the everyday shortstop on August . 7.

“Going inside on him is one of the only places I can go, and I just lost it”, Haren said. Matt Duffy of the Giants and Jung Ho Kang of the Pirates and Noah Syndergaard of the Mets have all had good rookie years, but I think Bryant’s power numbers and good defense at 3B will get him the honor.

Cardinals pitchers walked a season-high 11 batters.

“We disagreed”, Lynn said.

Chicago starter Dan Haren gave up three runs – one earned – and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. And the infielder loved the curtain call following his second homer.

“When his name has been called, he’s been ready”, Maddon said.

VEB: I feel pretty puke-tasticly excited about the possibility of this rivalry heating up in a potential postseason series (NO JINX).

The Cubs could field an NL All-Star infield should Baez, a 2011 first-round pick, blossom at second base and join Bryant, Russell and two-time All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

The Cubs made a statement down in St. Louis last week by winning the first two games of the series before blowing a lead in the third game. Dan Haren takes the hill, and he’s 9-9 with a 3.87 ERA and 121 strikeouts this season.

Holliday was activated from the DL on Tuesday (right quadriceps) after missing 41 games. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in the sixth…. It wasn’t received well by Rizzo and Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon was obviously upset about it as well. C Tony Cruz got the start for the second straight game.

“It’s not just St. Louis”, said reliever Jason Motte, who spent 61/2 seasons with the Cardinals before being part of the Cubs’ renaissance.