The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs will renew their bitter rivalry this afternoon in the Windy City. Today's game, which will begin a four game set, is scheduled to get underway at 2:20pm ET at Wrigley Field. St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs Free Baseball Predictions at BetUS.com have the Cubs listed as a slight -115 moneyline favorite.
The Cardinals increased their National League Central lead last night as they pounded the Arinzona Diamondbacks 12-7 at Chase Field in Phoenix. The high scoring win advanced their record to 7-3 and their season run differential to an impressive +21.
St. Louis jumped on Arizona starter Jon Garland early, working him for seven hits and seven runs in 3.2 innings. Outfielder Ryan Ludwick did most of the damage, going 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina also had a big day as he went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and two walks.
The Cubs did not have the same kind of success yesterday afternoon. The Rockies got the better of Chicago at Wrigley Field, winning 5-2 behind a strong outing from former Cub Jason Marquis. Marquis limited his old mates to just five hits and one earned run in seven innings of work.
Chicago starter Rich Harden got roughed up early and left the game after the third inning. He gave up five hits, four walks, and four earned runs in his brief appearance.
The loss dropped the Cubs to 5-3 and a game back of the Cardinals in the NL Central.
Starting for St. Louis this afternoon will be right hander Adam Wainwright. Wainwright is 1-0 this season in two starts with a 1.74 ERA. The 27 year old Georgia native has worked 10.1 innings, allowing eight hits and two earned runs while striking out 11. Last year against Chicago, he went 1-0 in two starts with a 2.38 ERA. The Cubs hit just .186 against him and struck out 10 times in 11.1 innings.
Sean Marshall will get his first start of the season today after working a little over one inning of relief in two appearances against the Brewers earlier this month. The 26 year old lefty pitched against the Cardinals in five games in 2008, only one of those, however, came as a starter. He went 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings against the Red Birds, allowing nine hits and just one earned run.
BetUS.com's St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs Free Baseball Predictions:
St. Louis Cardinals -105 (Moneyline)
Chicago Cubs -115 (Moneyline)
Be sure to visit Handicappingtotals.com today to take advantage of the best in baseball handicapping. Handicappingtotals.com offers their exclusive Baseball Totals Guide as well as an in-season monthly newsletter that is guaranteed to give you the edge you need for the 2009 Major League Baseball season.
