John Lackey (13-10, 2.77 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals meet Jon Lester (11-12, 3.34 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the Divisional Playoffs at Busch Stadium. The Cubs go into this series on a nine-game winning streak. The game starts at 6:45 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 9 and will air on TBS.
In his last start, Lackey pitched 4.0 innings, giving up three runs and striking out four in a 6-0 loss to the Braves. Matt Carpenter (.272, 101 Rs, 28 HRs, 84 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 2 Sunday. The Cubs were victorious over the Reds 10-3 the last time Lester pitched. He went 8.0 innings, allowing one run and striking out nine.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. Against teams in the NL Central, the Cardinals have a SU record of 46-30. The Cardinals lead the NL in ERA with a 2.93 team average. The Cardinals don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fifth in the NL with only 8.4 hits allowed per game.
Against fellow NL Central members, the Cubs are 46-30 SU. The Cubs average 3.5 walks per game, making them the most disciplined team in the NL. Switching gears to Chicago’s pitching staff, they have the second-lowest road ERA in the NL at 3.33. They have a WHIP of 1.15 on the year, the best in the league. They also have some of the most overpowering arms in baseball with an NL-high 8.8 strikeouts per game.
The Cardinals have mostly come out on top against the Cubs in their previous 19 games this season, earning an 11-8 record. This game will feature Lester (LHP) on the mound against the Cardinals, who have a 24-18 record when they take on a left-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Cubs will be the right-hander Lackey. They sport a 78-51 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC
Notes
Chicago won its last game in a shutout, its 22nd of the season. St. Louis has been shut out 15 times this season.
The Cardinals didn’t score any runs in their last game. The Cubs have a 22-0 record when they don’t allow any runs.
The Cubs are coming into the game with nine consecutive wins, while the Cardinals currently have a losing streak of three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Cardinals are 60-17. The Cubs have a 68-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 24th, St. Louis is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 647 this season. Chicago ranks in the top half at 15th with 693.
Ranking seventh, St. Louis is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 506 this season. Chicago ranks in the top five at second with 569.
The Cardinals are 66-26 when they hit at least one home run. The Cubs perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 69-28 record.
