Two of baseball's most bitter rivals will butt heads again tonight as the Cardinals and Cubs meet in a game two clash at Wrigley Field. This evening's contest, which features starting pitchers Jake Westbrook and Matt Garza, is slated for an 8:00pm ET start on ESPN. MLB Odds and Predictions have the hosting Cubs listed as a slight -125 moneyline favorite; the game total is set at 8.5 with the Over drawing -120 odds.
St. Louis, which holds a one game lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Central standings, improved its 
record to 21-15 last night with a 6-4 victory over the Cubs. The two run edge gave former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter, who gave up an eye popping 13 hits and four earned runs to Chicago, his first win of the 2011 season.
The Cardinals was spurred by a 4-for-5 night from Albert Pujols, who after a slow start, has raised his batting average to a nearly respectable but still not-Albert-like .268. Pujols received plenty of offensive help from third baseman Daniel Descalso, who went 2-for-4 and drove in two of the Cardinals six runs.
Chicago's lineup had several hot bats as Darwin Barney, Marlon Byrd, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Pena, and Starlin Castro all finished with a multi-hit game; however, the Cubs failed to capitalize in key situations, leaving 12 runners on base.
Chicago may fare better this evening against right hander Jake Westbrook, who has gotten off to an ugly start in his second season with the Cardinals. Westbrook is 2-2 with a 6.14 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in seven starts this year. The Georgia native has shown signs of coming around lately, though, giving up just 15 hits and five earned runs while striking out 13 in his last three appearances (18.1 innings).
Matt Garza will attempt to foil St. Louis' recent road success (5-1 last six away games) as he makes his eighth start for the Cubs. Garza, a five year veteran out of Fresno State, did not perform well in his last appearance, yielding five earned runs for the third time in seven starts as he presided over a 4-5 loss to the Reds.
Garza, who has struck out 58 batters in 44.2 innings pitched, is 0-2 at home this season despite owning a 3.24 ERA at Wrigley Field.
MLB Predictions Betting Trend: The Cubs are 8-2 in their last 10 games as a home favorite versus the Cardinals with a game total between 8.5 and 9.
Cardinals vs Cubs Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
St. Louis Cardinals +1.5 (-190), Over 8.5 (-120), +105 (Moneyline)
Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+160), Under 8.5 (+100), -125 (Moneyline)
