St. Louis @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2015 ) St. Louis 6, Chi. Cubs 0
The St. Louis Cardinals have claimed eight of 10 meetings with the rival Chicago Cubs this season and look to continue that dominance with a doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Tuesday. The Cardinals have won five straight against the Cubs after a 6-0 victory to open the four-game series.
The Cardinals headed to Chicago slumping at the plate, having scored only 11 runs over their previous six games, but they broke out late in Monday's game. St. Louis scored all six of its runs in the final three innings after being held hitless through six innings by left-hander Jon Lester. The Cubs continue to struggle at the plate, having scored two or fewer runs in 11 of their last 13 contests. Chicago has totaled five runs in its past five games against St. Louis.
TV: 1:20 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LH Tyler Lyons (2-0, 5.09 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (8-5, 2.80)
Lyons has bounced between Triple-A and the big club this season, making five big-league starts over two stints in the majors. The 27-year-old has won his last two starts for St. Louis but was on the losing end of two outings at Triple-A Memphis since then. Lyons is 0-1 with a 7.36 ERA in five games (two starts) against the Cubs, including a no-decision May 5 in St. Louis.
Arrieta was left off the National League All-Star team despite worthy numbers. The 29-year-old has been terrific in his past three starts, going 2-0 while allowing two runs and 12 hits over 24 innings. Arrieta has split two decisions against the Cardinals in 2015, throwing seven scoreless frames in a win during the opening week of the season but giving up five runs (four earned) in 5 1/3 innings in a loss May 7 in St. Louis.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo won the players' vote to earn his second consecutive All-Star nod, while rookie 3B Kris Bryant became the first Chicago rookie named an All-Star since 2008.
2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina, RHP Michael Wacha and RHP Trevor Rosenthal were named All-Stars on Monday, joining starters SS Jhonny Peralta and OF Matt Holliday, while RH Carlos Martinez is one of five players on the NL ballot for the Final Vote.
3. Bryant is riding a seven-game hitting streak and has reached base in 24 of his past 25 home games.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Cardinals 2