We didn’t expect the Cubs to make it look so easy for the entire season. The Cubbies are in a bit of a slide entering their NL Central series with the Cardinals, having lost seven of 11 games coming in. They could be ripe for the Cards to close the gap.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
If the Cardinals are looking for a chance to climb back into the NL Central race, catching the division-leading Cubs in a bit of a swoon is the perfect opportunity. After starting the season by winning 25 of their first 31 games, the Cubs are in a rut.
A double-header sweep at the hands of the lowly San Diego Padres started a current run that has the Cubs just 4-7 in 11 games since then. The slump continued with a 1-0 loss in San Francisco Sunday night as the Cubs dropped their third series in the last four while going down 8.50 units on the moneyline.
PROBABLE PITCHERS
Jason Hammel (5-1, 2.31 ERA) took the loss Thursday against the Brewers, allowing four runs on five hits while walking two and striking out seven. He had given up just one home run over 40.2 innings in his seven previous starts, but served up two to the Brewers while suffering his first loss of the season and first of his career to Milwaukee.
The right-hander beat the Cardinals on Apr. 19, giving up one run on five hits with six strikeouts over six innings in a 2-1 Chicago victory. Over his career against Redbirds, Hammel is 3-3 with a 5.26 ERA covering eight starts.
Michael Wacha (2-4, 4.03 ERA) lasted just four innings Thursday, allowing six runs on eight hits in a no-decision against the Rockies. He was staked to an early four-run lead but stumbled. He has now given up six runs in each of this last two starts, which both lasted four innings.
Wacha is winless in his last five starts, the longest such stretch of his career. His two best outings of the year have come in Busch Stadium, where he has a 3.60 ERA in five starts. Wacha is 3-3 with a 4.86 ERA in eight starts over nine appearances against the Cubs and will be facing them for the first time in 2016.
LIVE BETTING
The revolving door that has been the Cardinals cleanup spot this season swung in the direction of Stephen Piscotty last week. The combination of Brandon Moss, Randal Grichuk and Matt Adams had an aggregate average of .182 while hitting cleanup, the lowest average for that spot in the majors.
Manager Mike Matheny elected to give Piscotty a shot in the No. 4 hole and it paid off initially. Piscotty is second on the team in RBIs and second among the team’s regulars in average. He had three hits and two RBIs in his first start in the cleanup spot and is hitting .348 with five doubles in that spot. Piscotty is also among the leaders with a .488 average with runners in scoring position.
QUICK PICK
The Cardinals had an opportunity to gain some momentum ahead of their showdown series with the Cubs, but sputtered a bit by going just 3-3 against the Rockies and Diamondbacks. St. Louis just isn’t the dominant home team this season like we’ve seen in the past and even though the Cubbies are scuffling a bit themselves, there’s a different vibe when facing the kings of the NL Central.
If the Cubs want to win the division, they need to beat the Cards. And they need to beat them in Busch Stadium. Chicago took two of three in St. Louis in the only other series this year, and held the Cards in check offensively. Hammel had a little hiccup his last time out, but should respond. Wacha, on the other hand, hasn’t found a groove yet.
MLB Odds: Chicago 5, St. Louis 2
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Busch Stadium. The matchup can be seen live on ESPN.
