The St. Louis’ Cardinals season is far from over, but at 7.5 games back with 8 of their next 11 games coming against the Cubs (five of which will be in Chicago), they are at an extremely important crossroads. Even splitting these eight games and otherwise treading water could keep them far enough away from a playoff spot to avoid making any important additions at the deadline.
HOWEVA, if they come out strong against the Cubs this weekend, they can make up some ground and even convince their front office to add to the team, especially in light of the firing of Mike Matheny (then there’s a “story” to sell about what really changed).
The Cubs always want to beat the Cardinals, but thanks to the timing, the length, and the standings, this might be one of the biggest series of the year in the NL Central. Five games. Four Days. We ready for this?
We’re Going Streaking
The Chicago Cubs (55-38) finished the second-half strong with three straight wins against the Padres. They are a season-high 17-games over .500 with their biggest first-place lead of the year (2.5 games).
The St. Louis Cardinals (48-46) split a two-gamer with the White Sox and a four-gamer with the Giants before the break, and now stand 7.5 games out of first at the start of the second half.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info
Chicago Cubs
Probable Pitchers:
Active Depth Chart:
Unavailable: Anthony Bass, Eddie Butler, Justin Hancock, Yu Darvish
St. Louis Cardinals
Probable Pitchers:
Active Depth Chart:
Unavailable: Mike Matheny.
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Pitcher: When Mike Montgomery first began starting this season, his fastball velocity was up at 92.0 MPH in his first start and 93.0 MPH in his second start. Since then, however, he’s worked much more closely to 90.0-91.0 MPH, where he’ll likely have to remain if he wants to stay in the rotation long term. The hope, however, is that he doesn’t need that extra click or two to be as effective the rest of the way as he was early on. After completing 6.0 full innings in five straight starts, Montgomery has gone just 5.0 innings his last three times out. He’s also allowed more earned runs in his last two starts than his first five. I’d really like him to stick in the rotation when Yu Darvish ultimately returns (six man, for the win), but he’ll have to be a little better than he has been lately.
Cubs Player: Kris Bryant has a four-game hitting streak going since returning from the disabled list and I’m betting he keeps that alive this weekend. With his shoulder problems hopefully in the past, now would be a great time for Bryant’s power to return and overall production to click back up to the MVP-levels we know he’s capable of producing.
Cardinals Pitcher: Miles Mikolas might be their best starter this season, but the shine could be wearing off. After producing a brilliant 2.27 ERA (3.12 FIP) through his first 12 starts of the season, Mikolas has a bit more pedestrian in his latest 7 starts (3.83 ERA, 3.52 FIP). That is still a very nice pitcher – no doubt – but clearly one at a different level than his early-season self.
Cardinals Player: Harrison Bader, the player taking most of Dexter Fowler’s time in right field, has a 79 wRC+ and a 34% strikeout rate in 100 PAs since June 1st. Of course, Fowler has a 34 wRC+ during that same stretch, so …