Series Preview: Cubs at Cardinals, October 1 – October 3rd, 2021

The Cubs began this season against the Pirates back on April 1st, and although it didn’t go quite as well as we hoped, I do want to take you back to the intro of our first series preview of the year:

Although I won’t be at Wrigley Field when the Cubs kick off the 2021 regular season against the Pirates today, the fact that some fans will be there drinking beers, eating peanuts, and yelling at the umpires just makes me all warm inside. Baseball is back after a wonky 2020 season (a season in which the Cubs won the NL Central again, I’ll remind you), and fans are reclaiming their rightful place in the stands. No more fake audio, no more animated fans, no more universal DH (if that’s something you care about). It just feels right.

….

2021 was a season to forget, but I will try to be thankful that we got to enjoy it together, and sometimes, in person.

We’re Going Streaking

The Chicago Cubs (69-90) are just waiting to see if they can clinch the 7th overall pick in the draft. They can do so if they lose one of these final three games (or if the Twins win one more). The St. Louis Cardinals (89-70) have already clinched the final post season slot. Whoopiedoo.

Game Times and Broadcasts Info

•   Friday, October 1st at 7:15 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score
•   Saturday, October 2nd at 6:15 CT on MARQ, FOX, 670 The Score
•   Sunday, October 3rd at 2:15 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Dakota Hudson (R) vs. TBD
Game 2: Jon Lester (L) vs. Adrian Sampson (R)
Game 3: Jake Woodford (R) vs. Alec Mills (R)

Chicago Cubs

•   C – Willson Contreras
•   1B – Frank Schwindel
•   2B – David Bote
•   3B – Matt Duffy
•   SS – Sergio Alcántara
•   LF – Ian Happ
•   CF – Rafael Ortega
•   RF – Nick Martini

Unavailable: Jason Heyward, Manny Rodriguez, Alfonso Rivas, Robinson Chirinos, Keegan Thompson, Jonathan Holder, Nick Madrigal, Jose Lobaton, P.J. Higgins, Kohl Stewart, Brad Wieck, Michael Hermosillo, Nico Hoerner, Patrick Wisdom

St. Louis Cardinals

•   C – Yadier Molina
•   1B – Paul Goldschmidt
•   2B – Tommy Edman
•   3B – Nolan Arenado
•   SS – Edmundo Sosa
•   LF – Tyler O’Neill
•   CF – Harrison Bader
•   RF – Dylan Carlson

Unavailable: Wade LeBlanc, Justin Miller, Jordan Hicks, Max Moroff, Carlos Martinez, Ryan Helsley, Junion Fernandez

By the Numbers:

Run Differential:
Cubs: -135
Cardinals: +35

Runs Scored Per Game:
Cubs: 4.36
Cardinals: 4.37

Runs Allowed Per Game:
Cubs: 5.21
Cardinals: 4.15

Keep An Eye Out For …

Rafael Ortega is riding a four-game hitting streak with seven hits including a homer and a double. And over his last 11 games, he’s slashing .368/.489/.500 (172 wRC+) with identical 17.0% walk and strikeout rates. With this burst of production at the end of the year, Ortega’s slash line is up to .289/.358/.467 (121 wRC+) for the year. Pretty impressive stuff.

Ian Happ Watch: Happ has five hits, including two doubles and a homer, and four walks over his last five games. Can he finish the season strong?

Harrison Bader has had a quiet last three games, but has generally really good since the start of September, at least: .340/.371/.620 (166 wRC+). He’s not walking at all, but he’s making plenty of contact and hitting for enough power.

written by

Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

more cubs news

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

Kinda Sounds Like Craig Counsell May Have a Set Top Three in the Batting Order

New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said, generally, his batting order philosophy is the very simplistic (and very correct): just get your best hitters the most at bats. Sure, there's some play in that to set up good match-ups,...

Los Angeles Dodgers Signing Will Smith to a TEN-YEAR Extension

The Los Angeles Dodgers have done it again. And by it, I mean they have signed a funkily-structured contract that is going to leave some folks annoyed. The Dodgers are extending catcher Will Smith on a DECADE-long deal with a...

Latest News

Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Texas Rangers (0-0) and the Chicago Cubs (0-0) square off on Thursday at Globe Life Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will call on Nathan Eovaldi against the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers vs....

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – March 28, 2024

The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks take the court for one of two exciting matchups on the NBA slate today.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so take...

UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

more cubs news