The Cubs will look to win their first series of the year (copy, paste), this time at home against the Cardinals. It’s going to be a tough one today.
That’s because the Cubs face Adam Wainwright, who is just always good, damn it. Travis Wood better bring his best on the mound, and at the plate.
The Cubs are stacking the lineup with lefties today, which could help a little bit: lefties get a near 60-point bump in OPS against Wainwright over his career. Of course, if you look at just the last two years (when he’s been insanely good), there’s not really much of a platoon split at all.
As for the Cardinals, they’ll be sending out the young outfielder they got from the Angels in the David Freese trade – no, not Peter Bourjos. It’s Randal Grichuk (who feels like he’s missing at least two letters in his name), who was recently called up after a hot start at AAA. He’s just 22, but looked to be stalling out in the Angels’ system. It would be so very Cardinals for him to break out immediately upon arriving in St. Louis. Voodoo freaking magic.
Game Info
St. Louis Cardinals (15-14) at Chicago Cubs (9-17), 1:20 CT on CSN, MLBN.
Game Thread and Series Preview
The Game Thread lives here. And, of course, for those who aren’t into message board-style game threads, please feel free to use the comments on this post for your in-game commentary/outbursts.
The Series Preview lives here.
Starting Pitchers
Adam Wainwright (1.20 ERA, 2.34 FIP, 3.17 xFIP; 3.82 K/BB)
versus
Travis Wood (3.52 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 3.45 xFIP; 4.43 K/BB)
St. Louis Cardinals Lineup
1. Matt Carpenter, 3B
2. Jhonny Peralta, SS
3. Matt Holliday, LF
4. Allen Craig, RF
5. Yadier Molina, C
6. Jon Jay, CF
7. Randal Grichuk, LF
8. Mark Ellis, 2B
9. Adam Wainwright, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup
1. Emilio Bonifacio, 2B
2. Luis Valbuena, 3B
3. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
4. Starlin Castro, SS
5. Nate Schierholtz, RF
6. Ryan Sweeney, CF
7. Welington Castillo, C
8. Ryan Kalish, LF
9. Travis Wood, P