Maholm Gets Pounded as the Chicago Cubs Fall to the St. Louis Cardinals 10-3

The Chicago Cubs lost a rubber-game match against the St. Louis Cardinals 10-3 on Sunday.  

Cub starting pitcher Paul Maholm had another rough outing, allowing six runs in just four innings against the Cardinals. Here's what we learned from the game, as the Cubs' record is now a dreadful 3-7.  

It is going to be a long year for Paul Maholm

In both of his losses this season, he has only managed to last four innings, and he given up six runs in both games.

His second-half struggles from last season have plagued him in the early season now, and there's not much that might convince us he will be out of this funk anytime soon. He's not fooling anybody at the plate, which is apparent with just his four strikeouts thus far.  

It seems Maholm has trouble avoiding that one big inning, which may prompt the Cubs to put him in the bullpen.

The Cubs have zero relief 

The Cubs tried to stop the bleeding when they removed Maholm. However, the bullpen did not have any luck in stopping the Cardinals offense.  

Lendy Castillo and Rodrigo Lopez both struggled with command in their two innings of work. If the Cubs bullpen help when starting pitchers are struggling, a 162-game season may feel like a lifetime.  

Trading Sean Marshall may come back to haunt the Cubs, as well.

Dale Sveum is going to let Marlon Byrd to grind it out 

Marlon Byrd is 2-for-31 this season, with a woeful .065 batting average.

However, do not expect Cubs' manager Dale Sveum to bench the struggling center fielder anytime soon, as it's apparent he's going to let Byrd figure it out.

Rumors have swirled around Byrd on rather or not he will be traded this season, but as of right now, he has zero trade value on the market.  

Follow me on Twitter @RyanNAnthony