advertisement

Red-hot Chicago Cubs now welcome rival Cardinals

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon often talks about adding "jug" runs at the end of close games.

"Jug" is short for "jugular," as in going for the other team's jugular.

If you look at the National League Central in the same way, the Cubs have a chance beginning Thursday night to step on the throats of the St. Louis Cardinals and all but put away the division title. The Cardinals come in for a four-game series. They trail the Cubs by 12 games.

The Cubs dispatched the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Wednesday night, completing a two-game sweep of the interleague series. They did emerge from the game with one big worry.

Relief pitcher Pedro Strop limped off the field in the top of the eighth with a left-knee injury after giving up an infield single to Yunel Escobar to begin the inning. Strop looked awkward in fielding the ball, and he will have an MRI on the knee Thursday morning.

"Really an unfortunate moment," said manager Joe Maddon, whose team improved to a season-high 30 games over .500 at 71-41. They are riding a nine-game winning streak.

The Cubs led 2-0 at the time. Travis Wood came on and gave up a double to Kole Calhoun, putting runners on second and third with nobody out.

Maddon then turned to hard-throwing rookie Carl Edwards Jr., who struck out Mike Trout before getting Albert Pujols on an RBI groundout and Andrelton Simmons on a grounder on which shortstop Addison Russell made a sparkling play.

"I just kind of went in and tried to keep it as simple as possible and not try to overdo anything and not try to force too much," said Edwards, who may see more high-leverage situations if Strop is out for any length of time. "Just go right at them and let my defense work behind me."

On facing stars such as Trout and Pujols, Edwards said: "I just pulled my hat down more so I don't see their faces."

Now it's on to the Cubs' Gateway Arch rivals. A series sweep by the Cubs puts things away. A sweep by the Cards makes things interesting.

Maddon says even though the standings are hard to ignore, he's not thinking that far ahead.

"I've not thought of it like that," he said. "But, of course, the next team that comes in happens to be the Cardinals. If they're behind you, you want to do well against them.

"The best way to go about a two-game series, a three- or a four-game series, is just to play one at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself ever. Don't believe any of that stuff. Just go play the game. Play it right."

The Cubs sent Jason Hammel (12-5) to the mound Wednesday against the Angels, and he worked 7 shutout innings, giving up 4 hits. He lowered his ERA from 3.07 to 2.90. He is 5-0 with a 1.15 ERA in 5 starts since the all-star break.

The offense got Hammel a run in the third with two outs. Kris Bryant doubled to the gap in left-center, and Anthony Rizzo singled to shallow right to score Bryant.

Hammel scored the Cubs' second run, in the fifth. He singled with one out and went to second on a wild pitch by Ricky Nolasco. Fowler then doubled, scoring Hammel.

Russell gave the Cubs an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth with a two-out solo homer. Aroldis Chapman earned his fourth Cubs save by striking out the side in the ninth.

Cubs no strangers to cupping craze

Scouting report

Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Thursday; ABC 7 Friday and Saturday; ESPN Sunday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Jon Lester (12-4) vs. Carlos Martinez (10-7) Thursday at 7:05 p.m.; Jake Arrieta (13-5) vs. Adam Wainwright (9-6) Friday at 1:20 p.m.; Kyle Hendricks (11-7) vs. Luke Weaver (0-0) Saturday at 1:20 p.m.; John Lackey (9-7) vs. Mike Leake (8-9) Sunday at 7:08 p.m.

At a glance: The Cubs are 4-5 against the Cardinals this season, 0-3 at Wrigley Field. The Cardinals earned a sweep at Wrigley June 20-22 to start the Cubs on their midseason tailspin, from which they've recovered nicely. The St. Louis disabled list has a couple of key players on it. Pitcher Michael Wacha has right-shoulder inflammation, Shortstop Aledmys Diaz has a broken right thumb; he could be back in early September. Weaver will make his major-league debut Saturday. In 13 minor-league starters, he was 7-3 with a 1.30 ERA. The Cards also called up hard-throwing Alex Reyes to fortify their bullpen. St. Louis is battling to stay in the wild-card race. Matt Carpenter entered Wednesday at .293/.414/.553 with 14 homers and 55 RBI. Matt Holliday had 19 homers. The Cubs entered Wednesday with a run differential of plus-186, the best by far in the majors.

Next: Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field, Tuesday-Thursday

- Bruce Miles

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.