MLB Pick: Chicago Cubs at St Louis Cardinals

cubbies sucksThe Chicago Cubs head into Busch Stadium for a three game series versus division rivals the St Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have played the Cubs fairly well over the past couple seasons winning 12 of the last 20 meetings overall but they have really played them well at home in St Louis where they have won 20 of the last 28 meetings.

Head to Head Trends

Cubs are 8-20 in the last 28 meetings in St. Louis.
Over is 14-3-2 in the last 19 meetings in St. Louis.

St Louis Cardinals (-113)

The St Louis Cardinals are 1st in the National League Central with a 48-24 record which is also good for the best record in the entire league. The Cardinals are red hot right now winning 22 of their last 29 games including 5 of their last 6. A big reason for the Cardinal success this season is their pitching staff who have a league best team ERA of just 2.67.

Taking the mound for the Cardinals today is John Lackey who is 6-4 with a 3.41 ERA on the season. I’m not exactly a big Lackey fan but he’s having a great season so far and if you took away his start a few weeks ago in Colorado where he allowed 8 earned runs off 12 hits in just 4 innings of work his numbers would be right up there with the top pitchers in the league.

St Louis Cardinals Trends

Cardinals are 41-10 in their last 51 home games.
Cardinals are 12-1 in Lackeys last 13 home starts.

Chicago Cubs (+103)

The Chicago Cubs are 3rd in the National League Central 8.5 games behind the Cardinals. The Cubs have been having a pretty good season especially for the Cubs and maybe they’ll keep it up and maybe they won’t but if history is any indication they probably won’t.

On the hill for the Cubs today is Jake Arrieta who is 7-5 with a 3.07 ERA on the season. Arrieta has pitched great this season and the only really negative thing I can say about him is he did throw a career high 122 pitches in his last start so there may be a little unknown factor of how he will react to that.

Chicago Cubs Trends

Cubs are 8-3 in Arrietas last 11 starts with 4 days of rest.
Cubs are 6-2 in their last 8 games following a loss.

Conclusion

I’m going with the St Louis Cardinals over the Cubs in this one. The Cardinals are the best team in the league especially at home where they have just lost 7 times all season.

Free Pick: St Louis Cardinals  

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