Cubs at Cardinals
The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of their longest losing streak of the season and an even longer – and more concerning – stretch of offensive futility. The Cubs will try to get their slumping bats going in the second of a three-game road series in St. Louis against their National League Central rivals on Saturday.
St. Louis is alone in first place in its division for the first time this season after winning the series opener 3-2 while Milwaukee lost to Pittsburgh. The Cardinals have won three straight by identical 3-2 scores – all against opponents from the Windy City. The Cubs have scored three or fewer runs in nine straight games and were scoreless until the ninth inning of Friday’s loss. It was the third straight defeat for Chicago following a five-game winning streak, as the Cubs have allowed three or fewer runs in seven of the past eight contests.
TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, ABC 7 (Chicago), FS Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Tyler Chatwood (2-3, 2.83 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Luke Weaver (2-2, 5.17)
Chatwood has won two straight starts, allowing just one run over his last 13 innings. The 28-year-old was dominant Sunday against Milwaukee, permitting two hits and three walks over seven scoreless frames. Chatwood is 0-3 with a 6.32 ERA in five games (two starts) against St. Louis.
Weaver was lights-out in his first three starts but has struggled in his last three outings. The tough stretch began when the 24-year-old was tagged for six runs in four innings in a loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 19. Weaver is 0-2 with a 13.09 ERA in three starts against Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cardinals have won three straight one-run games to improve to 6-5 in those contests after starting 0-3.
2. Cubs INF Tommy La Stella leads the majors in hits (six) and RBIs (six) as a pinch hitter.
3. St. Louis RHP Dominic Leone left the game without throwing an official pitch after experiencing right biceps cramping while warming up in the eighth inning.