On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Cardinals series preview

Much has happened to the Cardinals since we last saw them about four weeks ago. To update us, here’s Josey Curtis, managing editor of our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos.

The last time these two teams met, the Cubs enjoyed a three-game sweep of the Cardinals. That skid in Chicago was the start of what has been a brutal month in St. Louis as the Cardinals have a 27-28 record entering play Friday. The Cardinals are 8-18 in the month of May and have not won consecutive games since 4/29, 4/30 and 5/1 against the Nationals. The Cardinals have won a game by 13 runs and lost one by 11 in May, so it’s difficult to say one facet of the game has been the problem.

Looking at this series opener on Friday, Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas will look to cap off a month that featured four quality starts - including three of seven innings. St. Louis has hit Saturday’s opponent, Jose Quintana, very well, and Sunday’s starter Adam Wainwright fanned 10 batters his last time out. After winning the series finale in Philadelphia, it’s important that the Cardinals can carry that back to Busch Stadium this weekend and get back above the .500 mark.

Fun fact

Entering the game May 4 at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, the Cardinals were 20-12 and led the N.L. Central by 1½ games. That day, Taylor Davis hit his famous grand slam and the Cubs won 6-5. From that game through now, the Cardinals are 7-16.

Conclusion: Taylor Davis broke the Cardinals. (Kidding. Mostly.)

It’s always fun watching that slam, so here it is again [VIDEO].

Pitching matchups

Friday: Yu Darvish, RHP (2-3, 5.40 ERA, 1.618 WHIP, 5.52 FIP) vs. Miles Mikolas, RHP (4-5, 4.76 ERA, 1.171 WHIP, 4.82 FIP)

Saturday: Jose Quintana, LHP (4-4, 3.73 ERA, 1.324 WHIP, 3.69 FIP) vs. Jack Flaherty, RHP (4-3, 3.77 ERA, 1.173 WHIP, 4.01 FIP)

Sunday: Cole Hamels, LHP (4-1, 4.02 ERA, 1.356 WHIP, 4.00 FIP) vs. Adam Wainwright, RHP (4-5, 4.94 ERA, 1.406 WHIP, 4.76 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Friday: 7:15 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Chicago, Facebook (outside the Cubs and Cardinals market territories)

Saturday: 6:15 p.m. CT, Fox-TV (regional — coverage map)

Sunday: 1:15 p.m. CT, WGN, MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Cardinals market territories)

Prediction

The Cubs righted the ship by winning the last game in Houston, and though these pitching matchups don’t look 100 percent favorable, I’ll still pick the Cubs to win two of three and come home with a .500 road trip.

Up next

The Cubs host the Angels in a makeup game Monday at Wrigley Field, then the Rockies come to Wrigley for a three-game series beginning Tuesday evening.