The St. Louis Cardinals (78-55) will go for the three game sweep when they host the Chicago Cubs (56-77) in an early game Sunday. St. Louis has beaten Chicago in 12 of the 18 head-to-head meeting this season.
Chicago is third in the NL Central, 22 games out of first. They have also dropped six of their last seven games. Offensively the club is 23rd averaging 4.15 runs per game, 17th with 1.0 home runs per game, and third with 88 stolen bases. Chicago has three position players who have posted a WAR over 3.7 or better, led by shortstop Nico Hoerner (4.1 WAR, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 16 SB). Wilson Contreras has a 3.7 WAR, with 21 HR, and 54 RBI, and Iann Happ also has a 3.7 WAR with 15 home runs and 63 RBI. The team's home run leader, Patrick Wisdom (22 HR 58 RBI) is currently on the injured list.
Final: Cardinals 8, Cubs 4. pic.twitter.com/mkZp1oCVso
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 4, 2022
Pitching has been an issue, with the Cubs 24th with a 4.34 ERA, and 27th with only 33 quality starts. Marcis Stroman (3-6, 3.98 ERA) has been solid for most of the season, but the Cubs are just 5-14 in his starts. At home, Stroman has not pitched well overall, but on the road he is 3-2 with a 2.05 ERA in 11 starts.