NEWSLETTER
Injury after injury, the Cardinals have carried on. The Cubs have been banged up, too, though their injuries have mostly been at the periphery. Then again, the Cubs could be without two of their starting three outfielders for this series, so maybe it’s been just as tough for them.
Big series this weekend, my friends. Big.
We’re Going Streaking
The Cubs won the first two games in their series against the Dodgers, but couldn’t win either of the final two, yielding a split. Despite being 7 games over .500, the Cubs have fallen 8.5 behind these Cardinals.
Because they just won’t stop winning. No, their schedule hasn’t been particularly onerous, but still. The Cardinals have won two out of every three games they’ve played this year, which is pretty crazy, especially when you consider the injuries. They just swept the Marlins.
Game Times and Broadcasts
And, if you’re not in the blackout region, you can always watch on MLB.tv.
Expected Starters and Lineups
These lineups are likely to be pretty close to what actually gets fielded, but you’ll want to check each day’s Pre-Gamin’ post for the actual lineup.
Cubs
Starters: Jake Arrieta (3.07 ERA, 2.90 FIP; 4.57 K/BB), TBA, Jason Hammel (2.65 ERA, 3.04 FIP; 5.75 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Dexter Fowler(?), CF
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Miguel Montero, C
- Starlin Castro, SS
- Chris Coghlan, LF
- Chris Denorfia, RF
- Pitcher
- Addison Russell, 2B
Cardinals
Starters: John Lackey (3.41 ERA, 3.42 FIP; 3.14 K/BB), Michael Wacha (2.85 ERA, 3.21 FIP; 3.45 K/BB), Carlos Martinez (2.89 ERA, 3.60 FIP; 2.61 K/BB)
Lineup:
- Kolten Wong, 2B
- Matt Carpenter, 3B
- Jhonny Peralta, SS
- Mark Reynolds, 1B
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Yadier Molina, C
- Jon Jay, CF
- Randal Grichuk, LF
- Pitcher
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
We’ll see who starts for the Cubs on Saturday – they’ll get a tough matchup in Michael Wacha. At least the Cubs have their two best pitchers on the year, Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel, going in the other two games. At this point, I’d tentatively expect Donn Roach to be the guy. If he doesn’t start today for Iowa – as he’s scheduled – it’s all the more likely.
The Cubs’ offense as a whole hit a bit of a wall in that Dodgers series. No rest for the weary as the Cardinals pitching staff – especially the bullpen – has been ridiculous good of late.
Matt Holliday out? No problem – Randal Grichuk is hitting .280/.314/.553 and playing defense Holliday can only dream of.
Every Cardinals regular has a wRC+ of at least 94 except Jon Jay (63).
Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal has the most Cardinals ERA/FIP/xFIP line ever: 0.56/2.43/3.37.
