NEWSLETTER
Tonight marks the first of 19 Cubs games against the Cardinals this season. The Cardinals are still in first place of the NL Central, but the Cubs are not too far behind (3.0 games back). And, as we’ve discussed, these 9 head-to-head matchups before the All-Star break will be crucial for Chicago, because the Cubs have a shorter timeline to define what kind of team they will be (i.e. one that must be sold off at the deadline, or something worth keeping together) than most. It all starts tonight.
Carlos Martinez (back in the rotation) is starting for the Cardinals tonight. And although he had a really nice stretch against the Nationals, Phillies, and Pirates (21.1 IP, 11H, 2ER, 5BB, 10Ks), he bookended those three games with a couple of stinkers:
v. COL (05/08): 5.0 IP, 6H, 5ER, 5BB, 2K
@PHI (4/16): 5.0 IP, 5H, 6ER, 2BB, 5K
Altogether, Martinez has just a 12.6% strikeout rate this season, so the Cubs will be putting the ball in play.
Kyle Hendricks is starting for the Cubs, and he’s had three solid starts in a row against the Dodgers, Pirates, and Tigers. If he has finally figured things out, this Cubs team could be in a prime position to take off. Hendricks has a 2.92 ERA over 8 starts at Busch Stadium for his career.
Go Cubs.
Game Info
Chicago Cubs (22-21) at St. Louis Cardinals (25-18) – Friday, May 21st at 7:15 CT on Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Cardinals: Carlos Martinez (R)
versus
Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R)
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
1. Joc Pederson, LF
2. Kris Bryant, RF
3. Willson Contreras, C
4. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
5. Javy Baez, SS
6. Ian Happ, CF
7. David Bote, 3B
8. Nico Hoerner, 2B
9. Kyle Hendricks, P
St. Louis Cardinals:
1. Tommy Edman, 2B
2. Dylan Carlson, RF
3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. Yadier Molina, C
6. Harrison Bader, CF
7. Justin Williams, LF
8. Edmundo Sosa, SS
9. Carlos Martinez, P
