The St. Louis Cardinals (77-55) host the Chicago Cubs (56-76) at Busch Stadium on Saturday. The Cardinals took Friday’s series opener 8-0, their 11th head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Jordan Montgomery threw six scoreless innings to get the win. Tommy Edman went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in the win. Yadier Molina added a double and two runs. Nick Madrigal was 2 for 4 for the Cubs.
ON THE MOUND
Drew Smyly (5-7, 3.24 ERA) is in line to get the start for Chicago. The southpaw threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 7-0 home defeat against the Brewers on August 27. He scattered five hits while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision. Smyly has made one previous start against the Cardinals this season, a 1-0 home loss on August 22. He surrendered one run on four hits over seven innings, striking out six and walking two. For St. Louis, right-hander Adam Wainwright (9-9, 3.09 ERA) will toe the rubber. He has made three appearances against the Cubs this season, all as the starter, giving up four runs over 20 innings (1-1, 1.80) with seven strikeouts and six walks.In his last start on Sunday, Wainwright took a no-decision at home against the Braves. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up two runs on eight hits, striking out four, in the 6-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Chicago has averaged 4.2 runs a game, equal to their season average. Against right-handed pitchers like Wainwright this season, the Cubs have a .706 OPS. Willson Contreras is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .804 OPS in 296 at-bats. St. Louis is averaging 6.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.9 for the season, with a higher slugging percentage (.469 vs .429). The Cards have ann .805 OPS against lefties in 2022, highest in MLB. With a 1.334 OPS over 101 at-bats, Paul Goldschmidt has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 28-38 in road games in 2022, scoring 4.1 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. St. Louis has won three in a row at their home ballpark. The Cards are 43-22 at home this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. St. Louis is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings at Busch Stadium with an average scoreline of 4.6-2.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals lead the NL Central by seven games over the Brewers. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, 21 games behind the Cardinals.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
St.Louis Cardinals (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
