Paul Maholm couldn’t have started the year any worse with two losses and an ERA above 13 in his first season with the Chicago Cubs. But something apparently clicked for him after that and he hasn’t lost in three-straight starts. He hasn’t giving up more than a run in any of those outings, including a brilliant 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in which he only allowed three hits with no walks.

“Being aggressive, mixing pitches, mixing location,” he told the Associated Press. “I would say more of a confidence and a comfort factor, getting used to everything and just kind of pitching my game.”

He tries to continue that streak on Wednesday in the third of a three-game series with the Atlant Braves, where he will duel with Tim Hudson.

Maholm is at his best against Atlanta, too, going 1-1 with a 1.58 ERA lifetime ERA in six appearances. He might just be facing the Braves at the right time, too. Heading into their series with the Cubs, they scored 44 runs over five games, but have plated just four in the two games this week.

Hudson, meanwhile, has been up and down in his first two starts of the year. After returning from a herniated disk, Hudson pitched well enough to get a win in his debut April 29. But he was knocked around in his second start against the Colorado Rockies, although his team rallied in extra innings.

Hudson is 1-0 with a 2.91 ERA at Wrigley Field.

Atlanta’s hottest hitter, Michael Bourn, comes in with a 12-game hit streak, but has struggled against Maholm, striking out 10 times in 29 career at-bats. Only Prince Fielder and Adam Dunn have struck out more against the lefty, according to the Associated Press.

Bourn is getting -120 odds to have more hits, runs and RBI than Chicago’s David DeJesus, according to Bovada’s Braves vs. Cubs Player Props.

Braves vs. Cubs Betting Lines are favoring the Braves by 1 1/2 runs, according to Bovada, with a -123 moneyline.