On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Cardinals Series Preview

The Cardinals have won six in a row and 10 of their last 13.

The Cubs, needless to say, are not on a roll like that. Quite the opposite, in fact; the Cubs have lost five of their last six.

Belaboring that isn’t going to get us anywhere. We all know what the Cubs have to do to turn things around, and I’m certain they do as well. This team is too talented to keep playing this way for too long.

It would be nice if they’d turn the switch on starting tonight.

Fun fact

The last time the Cubs lost a series in St. Louis was June 26-27-28, 2015. They got swept. The Cardinals were 51-24 after that series and led the Cubs (who were third in the N.L. Central) by 11½ games.

After that date the Cubs went 58-30 and the Cardinals were 49-38. The Cubs erased 8½ games off that lead.

So maybe this series turns the two teams around like that.

Pitching matchups

Friday: Eddie Butler (2017 MLB season debut) vs. Mike Leake (4-1, 1.79 ERA, 0.949 WHIP, 2.52 FIP)

Saturday: Jon Lester (1-1, 3.27 ERA, 1.355 WHIP, 3.57 FIP) vs. Carlos Martinez (2-3, 3.86 ERA, 1.286 WHIP, 3.85 FIP)

Sunday: Jake Arrieta (4-2, 5.35 ERA, 1.474 WHIP, 3.76 FIP) vs. Adam Wainwright (2-3, 6.37 ERA, 1.868 WHIP, 3.82 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 7:15 p.m. CT, CSN Chicago, MLB Network (outside Chicago and St. Louis markets)

Saturday: 3:05 p.m. CT, ABC7 Chicago, FS1 (no blackouts)

Sunday: 1:15 p.m. CT, WGN, MLB Network (outside Chicago and St. Louis markets)

Prediction

I don’t think I have picked the Cubs to lose a series in this feature for at least the last year, probably longer. Maybe reverse psychology will work if I pick them to win just one of three here.

Up next

The Cubs are off Monday and then return home to take on the Cincinnati Reds in a three-game series beginning Tuesday evening at Wrigley Field.