The Cubs and Cardinals have played four straight games at Wrigley Field so far this week, with two wins a piece. St. Louis (15) has outscored Chicago (12) over those four games, but not by much. And I’d argue the Cubs have the pitching matchup advantage this afternoon.
Marcus Stroman is taking the ball for Chicago, coming off a 7.2 inning gem against the Brewers, during which he allowed just two earned runs to cross the plate. He’s been on a really nice stretch since returning from the IL in early July, earning a 2.23 ERA over eight starts and 44.1 innings pitched.
Stroman has faced the Cardinals twice this season, the first was a blowup outing right before his IL stint (4.0 IP, 10H, 9ER, 1BB, 7Ks), but the second, and more recent, was much more successful: 6.2 IP, 5H, 3ER, 0BB, 6Ks.
Dakota Hudson, by contrast, has had a really rough go of it lately, earning himself a 5.98 ERA over his last 11 starts with nearly as many walks (28) as strikeouts (32). Batters haven’t been able to elevate much off him during that stretch (50.3 GB%, 5.7 launch angle), but they are hitting the ball extremely hard (89.5 MPH average EV, 40.8 hard%). Hudson has not faced the Cubs yet this season.
Remember, the Cubs will be honoring Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina before their final career game at Wrigley Field today … except neither guy is in the lineup. So. Okay.
Game Info
St. Louis Cardinals (71-53) at Chicago Cubs (54-70) – Thursday, August 25 at 1:20 CT on MARQ, MLBN, 670 The Score
Starting Pitchers
Cardinals: Dakota Hudson, RHP
Cubs: Marcus Stroman, RHP
Chicago Cubs (Lineup Discussion):
- Zach McKinstry, 2B
- Nico Hoerner, SS
- Seiya Suzuki, RF
- Ian Happ, LF
- Franmil Reyes, DH
- P.J. Higgins, C
- Patrick Wisdom, 1B
- Nelson Velázquez, CF
- Chris Morel, 3B
St. Louis Cardinals:
- Lars Nootbaar, DH
- Brendan Donovan, RF
- Paul Goldschimdt, 1B
- Corey Dickerson, LF
- Nolan Gorman, 2B
- Tyler O’Neill, CF
- Tommy Edman, 3B
- Paul DeJong, SS
- Andrew Knizer, C