The Chicago Cubs (37-38, 42-33 RL, 36-38-1 O/U) and the St. Louis Cardinals (31-45, 33-43 RL, 36-38-2 O/U) wrap up the 2023 MLB London series on Sunday morning. The Cubs will be sending Marcus Stroman to the mound. The Cardinals have yet to name a starter. The season series is 2-2 after a 9-1 Cubs win on Saturday.
Marcus Stroman will get the nod on Sunday afternoon. Stroman was brilliant in his previous start, completing seven shutout innings against the Pirates, and was credited with another victory. The Cubs ace is enjoying a Cy Young caliber season, registering a dazzling 2.28 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP complemented by a 9-4 record in 98.2 innings pitched. Stroman limited the Cardinals to only two runs in six innings last month and has reported a weak 4.73 ERA along with a 1-4 record in 45.2 career innings.
Chicago is back in contention near the top of the NL Central. It looked bleak last month but they have rebounded with a remarkable string of games. They have won four consecutive series highlighted by series victories against the Giants and Orioles. The Cubs issued the rival Pirates a three-game road sweep this week and they are now only four games out of the t op spot.
The lads are loving London! ????? pic.twitter.com/csjmexjF7q
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) June 23, 2023
Nico Hoerner is producing, accumulating a remarkable nine RBIs in his last six games. The young second baseman is having an outstanding season, collecting 38 RBIs and a .730 OPS. Hoerner is 1 for 8 against the Cardinals this season. Patrick Wisdom remains on the IL while Dansby Swanson has returned to the lineup.
Chicago is averaging 4.59 runs, marking them 11th. The pitching continues to excel and has a 3.99 team ERA, good for 11th.