Jon Lester (12-4, 2.93 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (71-41) take on Carlos Martinez (10-7, 3.29 ERA) and the St. Louis Cardinals (60-54) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the first of a four-game series at Wrigley Field. The Cubs come into this series riding a nine-game winning streak. Action begins at 8:05 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 11 and can be seen on CSCh and FSMW.
Lester pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering two runs and striking out eight in a 7-2 win over the Athletics. Anthony Rizzo (.288, 69 Rs, 24 HRs, 81 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. Martinez went 5.0 innings, surrendering seven runs (one unearned), striking out five and walking two in a 13-5 defeat to the Braves in his most recent start. Matt Carpenter (.297, 58 Rs, 15 HRs, 56 RBIs) has been successful at the plate for the Cardinals, going 2 for 3 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Chicago is a -168 favorite against St. Louis and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is currently not available. Though the Cubs have had a tough season in terms of their overall money line (-131), they have done fairly well as a favorite with a record of 65-33. Chicago is an impressive 8-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Cubs have seen an uptick in scoring against teams inside their division, averaging 6.0 runs per game. They average 5.0 runs per game on the season. Chicago’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.1 runs per game, well under their season average of 3.4. The Cubs are the top team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.108 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, St. Louis has a 17-18 record and an overall money line of -530. They are 6-6 as the underdog against NL Central foes, and 25-20 SU. Offensively, the Cardinals have really sputtered in the last 10 games. They have decreased their season average of 5.0 runs per game by averaging 3.2 during that stretch. The Cardinals can change the game with one swing of the bat, ranking fourth in the league with 153 home runs. The Cardinals allow 4.3 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 6.4 runs per game during that span.
The Cardinals lead the season series, 5-4. The Cubs have a 44-30 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Martinez takes the mound. Lester (LHP) will be on the hill against the Cardinals, who have a 15-19 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC
Notes
In their last game, the Cardinals won by a margin of one run. The Cubs are 15-16 in one-run games. The Cardinals have a 17-17 record in close games.
The Cubs are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Cardinals have a 13-26 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Cubs are 7-26. The Cardinals have a 13-47 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 13th in home runs, Chicago has hit 137 this season. St. Louis ranks fourth with 153 home runs.
Chicago and St. Louis both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Chicago sits at seventh with 8.62 hits per game and St. Louis ranks sixth with 8.78.
Chicago and St. Louis both rank in the top five of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Chicago sits at fourth with an OPS of .773, and St. Louis ranks third with an OPS of .774.
When the Cardinals allow at least one home run, they are 31-35. When the Cubs allow one or more homers, they have a 36-33 record.
