Cardinals commence crucial series with Cubs
What’s sweeter than a nine-game winning streak? Try shattering an archrival’s division title hopes altogether.
Entering its weekend series against St. Louis, the Cubs are on the cusp of accomplishing just that. Wrigley Field provides the setting for tonight’s bout between the two clubs, with oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv leaning toward the hosts. The second-place Cardinals, on the other hand, are +160 underdogs.
In a season overflowing with superlatives, Chicago keeps figuring out new ways to up the ante. The team’s last loss came on July 30. All the while, that Central Division lead over the Redbirds has ballooned to 12 games.
Jon Lester doesn’t want to be the guy to drop the ball in a manner of speaking. Joe Maddon’s hurler for the evening holds a 1-3 record with a 2.56 ERA in six career assignments against the Cards. Most recently, he limited the A’s to two runs six hits while striking out eight.
The lefty’s counterpart on the mound, however, is extremely formidable. Even though Carlos Martinez is coming off a rare drubbing at the hands of Atlanta, he boasts 12 quality starts on the season. The 2015 All-Star also carries a lifetime WHIP of 1.07 in the Windy City.
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In short, we don’t expect Martinez to endure two straight off outings. St. Louis is also aware that a wipeout here could render the rest of the season significantly less enthralling. Take the visiting squad to come through in a tight spot.
THURSDAY MLB FREE PICK: CARDINALS +1.5