That may feel like an exaggeration, however while the second-place Cardinals are simply.500 for the year, theyre likewise just 3.5 games back with five video games on tap– the last 5 times this team will fulfill this season, no less. With that stated, this is a much bigger series for the Cardinals than it is the Cubs, given where each team is in the standings.
Mentioning which … its pretty confusing to comprehend the real status of the standings given how couple of video games the Cardinals have played up until now, so lets go through the possible outcomes, determining how each won/loss combination would leave these groups relative to each other at the end of play on Monday.
Not Available: Dexter Fowler, Genesis Cabrera(?), Carlos Martinez, Matt Wieters, Kodi Whitley, Miles Mikolas, John Brebbia, Ricardo Sanchez, Andrew Miller(?), Austin Dean(?).
Keep An Eye Out For …
Cubs Pitcher: Yu Darvish is going to have to keep it up huge time tonight, as the Cubs deal with the Cardinals finest pitcher, Jack Flaherty. He has obviously been great this season, consisting of a 6.0 IP, 1ER, 1BB, 7K start versus the Cardinals a couple weeks ago, but he might need to be even better than excellent if the Cubs are gon na beat Flaherty.
Cubs Player: Ian Happ. Lets hope the Cubs best player and leadoff male is not just healthy, however not too shaken up after taking a ball of the eye in yesterdays ending against the Pirates. We cant overemphasize how important hes been to this lineup, not to mention to the supporting a leadoff area that has been roaming aimlessly because Dexter Fowler left in 2016.
Generally, if the Cubs win just 2 of these video games, theyll still be ahead of the Cardinals, however only hardly (to say absolutely nothing of where the Brewers/Reds might be). The Brewers (4.5 back) and the Reds (6.0 games) could make up some ground on both groups this weekend, simply before they both play the Cubs instantly afterwards. The Cubs can do a lot this weekend to put it out of reach, however theyve certainly had difficulty closing each of the last two Septembers. Note: Although any house field advantage that comes with being a very first seed in the division may be weaker than typical if the video games arent actually played at Wrigley Field, the earlier the Cubs can clinch the division, the earlier they can rest their gamers and more perfectly align their pitchers ahead of the postseason. Lets hope the Cubs best hitter and leadoff male is not only healthy, however not too shaken up after taking a ball of the eye in the other days ending against the Pirates.
Cardinals Pitcher: Adam Wainwright is pitching the first-half of the double-header on Saturday, coming off a complete game, 2ER performance with 9Ks agains the Indians on the 30th (that was his best start by game score because May … 2017). Getting to him early and forcing the Cardinals into the bullpen could help the Cubs throughout the series, where each and every single pitcher is going to be of important importance.
Cardinals Player: Paul Goldschmidt has been absolutely on fire considering that the start of the last series against the Cubs, slashing.339/.512/.508 (185 wRC+). Thats an OBP greater than his not-low slugging portion. The Cubs can not let him beat them, however clearly pitching around him isnt much of an option either.
Were Going Streaking.
The Chicago Cubs (22-15) just took two of three from the Pirates, however are just 5-5 over their last 10 video games. Theyve had their possibilities to genuinely break away, but havent quite managed it yet.
The St. Louis Cardinals (14-14) just took two of 3 from the Reds after dropping 2 of three to the Indians. Theyre.500 for the season, however 4-6 in their last 10.
Game Times and Broadcasts Info.
– Friday, September 4th at 7:15 CT on MARQ, 670 The Score – Saturday, September 5th at 4:15 CT on MARQ, MLBN 670 The Score – Saturday, September 5th at TBD on MARQ, 670 The Score – Sunday, September 6th at 6:08 CT on ESPN, 670 The Score – Monday, September 7th at 3:10 CT on MARQ, ESPN, 670 The Score.
Pitching Matchups.
Game 1 (Friday): Yu Darvish (R) v. Jack Flaherty (R) Game 2 (Saturday): TBD v. Adam Wainwright (R) Game 3 (Saturday): TBD v. TBDGame 4 (Sunday): Jon Lester (L) v. TBDGame 5 (Monday): Kyle Hendricks (R) v. TBD.
Chicago Cubs.
– C– Willson Contreras – 1B– Anthony Rizzo – 2B– Jason Kipnis/Nico Hoerner – 3B– Kris Bryant – SS– Javy Baez – LF– Kyle Schwarber – CF– Ian Happ(?) – RF– Jason Heyward – DH– Jose Martinez.
Not Available: Andrew Chafin, Tyler Chatwood, Jose Quintana, Brad Wieck, James Norwood, Daniel Descalso.
St. Louis Cardinals.
– C– Yadier Molina – 1B– Paul Goldschmidt – 2B– Kolten Wong – 3B– Matt Carpenter – SS– Paul DeJong – LF– Tyler ONeill – CF– Harrison Bader – RF– Dylan Carson – DH– Brad Miller.
Well, my good friends, this is a huge one. It might even be * the * huge one.
Cubs Win All Five Games
— Cubs (27-15):.642 winning portion– Cardinals (14-19):.424.
Cubs Win Four Games.
— Cubs (26-16):.619– Cardinals (15-18):.454.
Cubs Win Three Games.
— Cubs (25-17):.595– Cardinals (16-17):.484.
Cubs Win Two Games.
— Cubs (24-18):.595– Cardinals (17-16):.515.
Cubs Win One Game.
— Cubs (23-19):.547– Cardinals (18-15):.545.
Cubs Do Not Win.
— Cubs (22-20):.523– Cardinals (19-14):.575.
Generally, if the Cubs win just two of these games, theyll still be ahead of the Cardinals, but only hardly (to say absolutely nothing of where the Brewers/Reds may be). By contrast, win three of these games, and the Cardinals are going to have a very difficult time climbing the standings down the stretch (to say nothing of the crush of games they still have to play in restricted time).
Remember, the season isnt over after that. The Brewers (4.5 back) and the Reds (6.0 video games) might comprise some ground on both groups this weekend, just before they both play the Cubs instantly thereafter. Weve been talking about it for weeks, but were lastly here. The Central might be mainly chosen by this time next Sunday. The Cubs can do a lot this weekend to put it out of reach, however theyve undoubtedly had difficulty closing each of the last two Septembers. Lets hope this one is different.
Keep in mind: Although any house field benefit that comes with being a first seed in the department might be weaker than normal if the video games arent really played at Wrigley Field, the sooner the Cubs can clinch the division, the faster they can rest their gamers and more completely align their pitchers ahead of the postseason. Thats not absolutely nothing. Ask the 2016 group..
