Carlos Martinez (13-7, 3.04 ERA) and Jon Lester (9-10, 3.59 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals (87-51) and the Chicago Cubs (80-57) at Busch Stadium. The Cubs won the last game 8-5, continuing a five-game winning streak. Action begins at 1:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Sep. 9 and can be seen on CSCh and FSMW.
Martinez pitched 5.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering four runs, striking out five and walking three in a 9-3 defeat to the Pirates. Randal Grichuk (.285, 47 Rs, 16 HRs, 46 RBIs, 4 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Lester went 5.0 innings, surrendering two runs, striking out three and walking two in a 14-5 win over the Diamondbacks in his most recent start. Anthony Rizzo (.285, 80 Rs, 29 HRs, 87 RBIs, 15 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Cubs, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs.
St. Louis is a -122 favorite against Chicago and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Cardinals have recorded an overall money line of +2,568 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 73-32. St. Louis has had an impressive season against division opponents, earning 27-13 and 33-21 records as the favorite and SU respectively. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Cardinals, who have a team ERA of only 2.76. The Cardinals are the fourth-best team in the NL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.4 hits per game so far this season. Opponents have consistently been struck out by the Cardinals, who rank fourth in the NL in strikeouts per game with 8.1.
In games where it is the underdog, Chicago has a 21-24 record and an overall money line of +1,029. Despite an underwhelming record as the underdog against NL Central rivals (9-12), they pulled off an impressive 31-24 SU record. Chicago is excellent at drawing walks with an NL-best 3.5 per game. Chicago’s pitching staff is one of the top in the NL at pitching on the road, with a 3.55 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting on base, the Cubs are one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.20 for the season.
The Cardinals lead the season series, 9-6. The Cardinals have a 19-16 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Lester takes the mound. Martinez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Cubs, who have a 63-44 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, St. Louis is 31-20, while Chicago is 32-22.
The Cubs managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Cardinals who are heading in with a 21-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Cubs are 17-43. The Cardinals have a 22-35 record when opponents outhit them.
St. Louis ranks near the bottom of the league at 23rd when it comes to home runs, hitting 113 this season. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 150.
Ranking 15th, Chicago is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.13 per game. St. Louis ranks in the top five at fifth with 8.66.
St. Louis and Chicago both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. St. Louis sits at 18th with an OPS of .716 and Chicago ranks 16th with an OPS of .719.
The Cubs are 38-38 when they allow at least one home run. The Cardinals perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 35-35 record.
