Jason Hammel (10-7, 3.74 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs take on John Lackey (14-10, 2.68 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the Divisional Playoffs at Wrigley Field. Action begins at 4:37 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and can be seen on TBS.
Hammel pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs and striking out five in a 5-3 win over the Reds. Kris Bryant (.271, 88 Rs, 27 HRs, 101 RBIs, 13 SBs) had another good game yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Lackey went 7.1 innings, surrendering zero runs, striking out five and walking one in a 4-0 win over the Cubs in Game 1 of the Divisional Playoffs. Jason Heyward (.293, 80 Rs, 14 HRs, 62 RBIs, 23 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds for Chicago and St. Louis are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. Within its division, Chicago has a record of 46-30 SU. Chicago leads the whole NL in walks, earning an average of 3.5 per game. Opposing batters know they’re in for a battle when they play Chicago. The Cubs are one of the top teams when it comes to pitching, allowing just 3.8 runs per game. The Cubs are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.143 so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Cubs, who lead the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.8.
The Cardinals are 46-30 against NL Central opponents. St. Louis’s pitching staff has set the standard for its league, with an NL-low 2.93 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Cardinals are fifth in the NL with an average of 8.4 hits allowed per game. The Cardinals have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 8.2 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Cardinals lead the season series, 12-10. The Cubs have a 78-51 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Lackey takes the mound. Hammel (RHP) will be on the hill against the Cardinals, who have a very good 76-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
St. Louis has won 57% (34-26) of its games when leading after seven innings. However, Chicago has won 59% (38-26) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Cardinals managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cubs who are heading in with a 35-11 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Cubs are 18-47. The Cardinals have a 24-44 record when opponents outhit them.
St. Louis ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 144 this season. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 180.
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.
Chicago and St. Louis both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Chicago sits at 16th with an OPS of .723 and St. Louis ranks 19th with an OPS of .717.
When the Cardinals allow at least one home run, they are 41-47. When the Cubs allow one or more homers, they have a 45-43 record.
