Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals square off against Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the Divisional Playoffs at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won the last game 4-0, and St. Louis leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 5:37 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 10 and can be seen on TBS.
Garcia pitched 4.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs, striking out five and walking two in a 4-0 defeat to the Braves. Jason Heyward (.292, 79 Rs, 13 HRs, 60 RBIs, 23 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Hendricks went 6.0 innings, surrendering zero runs and striking out eight in a 1-0 win over the Brewers in his most recent start.
St. Louis is a -134 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at six runs. The Cardinals have recorded an overall money line of +2,228 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 83-42. St. Louis is a disappointing 2-5 as the favorite over its last 10 games. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Cardinals, who have a team ERA of only 2.93. The Cardinals are the fifth-best team in the NL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.4 hits per game so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Chicago has a 25-27 record and an overall money line of +1,757. They are 13-15 as the underdog against fellow NL Central members, and 46-30 SU. Chicago is excellent at drawing walks with an NL-best 3.5 per game. Chicago’s pitching staff is one of the best in the NL at pitching on the road, with a 3.33 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Cubs are the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.147 for the season. The Cubs have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.8 strikeouts per game.
The Cardinals lead the season series, 12-8. The Cardinals have a great 43-17 record at home (76-44 overall) against right-handed starting pitchers, which is what they’ll be facing when Hendricks takes the mound. Garcia (LHP) will be on the hill against the Cubs, who have a 19-14 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC, O/U – Over
Notes
After last game’s shutout win against Chicago, the Cardinals now have 16 shutouts this season. The Cubs have been shut out in 11 games this season.
The Cardinals are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cubs have a 22-30 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Cubs are 18-47. The Cardinals have a 24-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 25th in home runs, St. Louis has hit 139 this season. Chicago ranks 12th with 173 home runs.
Ranking 14th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.26 per game. St. Louis ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.55.
St. Louis and Chicago both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. St. Louis sits at 19th with an OPS of .718 and Chicago ranks 18th with an OPS of .719.
The Cubs are 43-43 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Cardinals are 41-45 when they allow at least one homer.
