Decisive game for the St. Louis Cardinals tonight when they face the Chicago Cubs.
The Cardinals have the edge in head-to-head matchups, winning five of
the nine games played so far, including three in a row at Wrigley Field
June 20-22. This week's visit to Wrigley Field may represent their last
chance to start closing an imposing gap with the National League Central
leaders. Or it may signal a realization that the most achievable goal
is an NL Wild Card berths.
The Cardinals send right-hander Carlos Martinez (10-7, 3.29 ERA) against
left-hander Jon Lester (12-4, 2.93 ERA). Martinez leads all St. Louis
starters in wins, but he's coming off one of his roughest performances
of the season, in which he gave up seven runs (six earned) in a
five-inning start against the Braves on Saturday. He has not pitched
into the sixth in three of his last five outings.
Jon Lester went 1-3 with a 2.59 ERA in five games last year against St.
Louis, and also lost to them in Game 1 of the NL Division Series. The
Cubs became the first big league team to 70 wins with Tuesday's 5-1
victory over the Angels. They maintain baseball's best record and are on
track for 102 wins.
Wager506.com
has The Cubs at -1 1/2 on the full game and -1/2 on the first 5 innings
with a -105 line. Get a 250% exclusive welcome bonus today when you
mention wager506.com at Handicappers Hideaway.
Cardinals and Cubs Square Off Thursday Night at Wrigley - Handicappers Hideaway