Scouting report: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals
By Bruce Miles
bmiles@dailyherald.com
Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium
TV:
ABC 7 Friday; FOX Saturday; ESPN Sunday
Radio:
WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups:
The Cubs' Jon Lester (7-2) vs. Michael Wacha (8-1) Friday at 7:15 p.m.; Kyle Hendricks (4-6) vs. Carlos Martinez (3-2) Saturday at 7:15 p.m.; Jose Quintana (6-4) vs. Jack Flaherty (3-2) Sunday at 7:08 p.m.
At a glance:
The Cubs are 1-4 against the Cardinals, 0-3 in St. Louis. The Cardinals are trying to hang close in the NL Central with several players on the disabled list. Shortstop Paul DeJong, a graduate of Antioch High School, remains on the DL after having surgery on his left hand. Relievers Matt Bowman and Greg Holland seem close to returning as they complete minor-league rehab stints. The Cardinals entered Thursday near the bottom in most key offensive categories except for home runs. Jose Martinez has a line of .321/.389/.517 with 10 homers and 42 RBI. The rest of the home run production is spread among several players. St. Louis ranked third in team ERA (3.60) while the Cubs were first (3.17). Cubs batters entered Thursday third in runs and batting average and first in on-base percentage and walks. This begins a stretch of 17 games in 17 days for the Cubs, whose next off-day is July 2.
Next:
Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field, Monday-Wednesday