Justin Steele, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Chicago Cubs (17-19) as they host the St. Louis Cardinals (13-24) at Wrigley Field on Wednesday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game series.
The Cardinals lead the series 2-0 after winning 6-4 on Tuesday, their sixth straight head-to-head victory. Reliever Chris Stratton was credited with the win after throwing 1.1 scoreless innings, and Giovanny Gallegos earned his second save with a scoreless ninth.
Paul DeJong was 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Andrew Knizner added two doubles and one RBI. Dansby Swanson went 3 for 5 with a home run and two doubles for the Cubs. He drove in three runs. Christopher Morel added a solo home run.
ON THE MOUND
Jordan Montgomery (2-4, 3.29 ERA) is slated to get the start for St. Louis. The LHP allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-4 home defeat against the Tigers on Friday. He scattered six hits while striking out six and walking one in the no-decision.
Montgomery is making his first appearance against the Cubs this season. Over three starts against the Cubs in 2022, Montgomery was 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 22 innings. He had 16 strikeouts and two walks.For Chicago, southpaw Steele (5-0, 1.45 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Cardinals.
Steele made one start against the Cardinals in 2022, throwing seven innings in a 5-3 home defeat on June 5. He gave up seven hits and walked three, while striking out one in the no-decision.
In his last start on Friday, Steele got the win at home against the Marlins. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on six hits, striking out four, in the 4-1 victory. The lefty leads the NL in ERA and is tied for first in wins.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, St. Louis has averaged 6.0 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.5, thanks in part to greater slugging (.484 vs .420). Against left-handed pitchers like Steele this season, the Cards have a .774 OPS.
Tommy Edman is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a 1.221 OPS in 30 at-bats. Chicago is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.8 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.240/.320/.341).
The Cubs have a .787 OPS against left-handers in 2023, fifth highest in the league. With a 1.056 OPS over 29 at-bats, Yan Gomes has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
St. Louis is 7-11 away from Busch Stadium in 2023, scoring 3.8 runs per game while allowing 4.2 runs. Chicago has lost three in a row in front of their home fans.
The Cubs are 10-11 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games between the NL Central rivals at Wrigley Field, St. Louis is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, eight games behind the division-leading Pirates. The Cubs are third in the NL Central, three games behind the Pirates.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Chicago Cubs (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
