4:05 pm
May 4

Cardinals @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

St. Louis Cardinals (20-12)

@ Chicago Cubs (17-12)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Wacha (STL): 2-0; 4.78 ERA

Darvish (CHC) 2-3; 5.02 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

St. Louis Cardinals: 7-3

Chicago Cubs: 8-2

 

Current odds:

St. Louis Cardinals: (+102)

Chicago Cubs: (-112)

 

• The Chicago Cubs have surged in the National League Central over the past three weeks in large part because of excellent starting pitching. The Cubs will look to Yu Darvish to try to continue their streak of shutouts when they host the St. Louis Cardinals in the second of a three-game series Saturday. Kyle Hendricks threw a four-hitter on 81 pitches in a 4-0 win in Friday’s opener – the Cubs’ second straight shutout and fifth consecutive win. Chicago has won 16 of its last 22 games to pull within 1 1/2 games of the division-leading Cardinals.

• St. Louis had been just as hot, winning five straight before a 2-1 loss at Washington on Thursday, but the Cardinals’ bats have gone cold in the past two days. St. Louis is trying to avoid its first series loss since dropping two of three at Milwaukee from April 15-17.

• Wacha didn’t have any trouble with his sore left knee in his return from the injured list Monday at Washington. The 27-year-old struck out five and allowed three runs over five innings to earn the win in his first start since April 17. Wacha is 4-8 with a 6.65 ERA in 18 games (16 starts) against the Cubs, including a 1-4 mark and a 5.98 ERA in eight games (seven starts) at Wrigley Field.

• Darvish is coming off his best outing of the season after holding Arizona to one run and two hits over six innings Saturday. The 32-year-old matched his season high with eight strikeouts but also issued four free passes, increasing his walk total to 22 batters in 28 2/3 innings. Darvish will be facing the Cardinals for the first time.

• Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 20-for-42 with three homers versus Wacha.

• St. Louis RHP Carlos Martinez (right shoulder strain) is slated to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Peoria on Sunday.

• The Cardinals traded Triple-A C Francisco Pena to San Francisco on Thursday for cash considerations.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Chicago Cubs
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