NEWSLETTER
Later this evening the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will kick of the first of a three-game set at Busch Stadium and I’m hoping it turns out a heckuva lot better than the last time they visited St. Louis (three straight losses, including two walk-offs).
Of course, the Cubs will have three straight tough pitching matchups to work through, starting with Michael Wacha tonight. To be sure, the Cubs have gotten to Wacha before, but he appears to be the best version of himself this season. Indeed, the last time Wacha faced the Cubs (May 6), he went 5.1 IP allowing 1 earned run (a solo homer to Javy Baez) on six hits and three walks against five strikeouts. Jon Lester is good, but the Cubs offense will have to muster more than that tonight.
Speaking of Lester, the last time he started against the Cardinals was the same day, and he also went 5.1 IP. Unlike Wacha, though, Lester allowed two earned runs on six hits and four walks against four strikeouts. Jedd Gyroko homered in that one and he’s batting sixth tonight.
Getting the weekend started off with a win sure would be great – especially after the way the Brewers series ended – so let’s see it, Cubs!
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (38-27) at St. Louis Cardinals (36-30) Friday, June 15 at 7:15 CT on ABC-7, MLBN (out of market), 670 The Score
Game Thread and Series Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun today.
Starting Pitchers
Cubs: Jon Lester (L): 2.22 ERA, 3.97 FIP, 2.44 K/BB
versus
Cardinals: Michael Wacha (R): 2.47 ERA, 3.40 FIP; 3.80 K/BB
St. Louis Cardinals Lineup:
- Matt Carpenter, 3B
- Harrison Bader, RF
- Tommy Pham, CF
- Marcell Ozuna, LF
- Yadier Molina, C
- Jedd Gyorko, 2B
- Luke Voit, 1B
- Yairo Munoz, SS
- Michael Wacha, P
Chicago Cubs Lineup:
- Albert Almora Jr., CF
- Kris Bryant, 3B
- Anthony Rizzo, 1B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Kyle Schwarber, LF
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Addison Russell, SS
- Ian Happ, RF
- Jon Lester, P
