Cardinals' Matheny on rivalry: 'I love the hatred that the Cubs fans have for us'

When the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs open up a three-game series for the second time this season Friday, they'll rehash 98 years of rivalry. 

While the Cubs have had the Cardinals record all-time, sporting a 1111-1078 record, it's the Red Birds who took two out of three earlier this season and own the overwhelming edge in World Series wins 11-2. 

Chicago's futility over the past five sub-.500 seasons hasn't dampened the Wrigley faithful however, as Cardinals manager Mike Matheny boasted about the reception Cubs fans give their division rivals when visiting. 

“I love the hatred that the Cubs fans have for us,” Matheny, told the St. Louis-Dispatch. “It makes for some of the most interesting fan reaction you could possibly have.

“There’s serious anger there. You can get some interesting comments and stuff that you can never forget. Or repeat.

“And there’s so much red there, too. When we do something good, you hear it. We’ve had some really weird games there. You can’t back off for a second. That’s what we tell the young players and pitchers. Grind for nine.”