7:05 pm
July 19

Cardinals @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

St. Louis Cardinals (48-46)

@ Chicago Cubs (55-38)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Martinez (STL): 6-5; 3.08 ERA

Hendricks (CHC) 6-8; 3.92 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

St. Louis Cardinals: 5-5

Chicago Cubs: 7-3

 

Current odds:

St. Louis Cardinals: (+138)

Chicago Cubs: (-148)

 

• The Cubs won 12 of their last 15 before the break, going from 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the National League Central to a 2 1/2-game division lead. St. Louis won its first-half finale – its first game under interim manager Mike Shildt – but begins the second half at a crossroads.

• The Cardinals are 48-46 and 7 1/2 games behind the Cubs, and this week’s series could go a long way toward determining whether they are buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. St. Louis has won five of eight meetings this season, but the teams have split two games at Wrigley Field.

• Martinez had won three straight starts, posting quality starts in all three, before losing to Cincinnati in his last outing of the first half. The 26-year-old Dominican allowed three runs over five innings in suffering his first loss at home since May 8. Martinez is 4-4 with a 4.58 ERA in 25 games (15 starts) against the Cubs, including a no-decision June 16 in which he gave up three runs over five frames.

• Hendricks had a bumpy first half as he battled his fastball command, but he also suffered from a lack of run support. The Cubs scored a single run in eight of the 28-year-old’s 19 starts. Hendricks is 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 11 starts against the Cardinals, including a win June 16 in St. Louis.

• The Cubs activated RHP Carl Edwards Jr. from paternity leave on Tuesday and expect to have CF Albert Almora Jr. back Thursday.

• St. Louis SS Yairo Munoz is 8-for-24 with two homers and seven RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

• Chicago RF Jason Heyward (8-for-23) and 2B Javier Baez (7-for-24) are both riding five-game hitting streaks entering the second half.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Chicago Cubs
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