The RX MLB – August 8

MLB Match-Up Saturday – Cards try to keep up with Cubs in NL Central

Before Friday’s series opener, the Chicago Cubshad opened up a six-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinalsin the National League Central, and they look well on their way to repeating as division champions. The Cardinals will attempt to peck at that lead on Saturday afternoon, when they visit the Cubs at Wrigley Fieldin the second of a three-game set.

St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs – 3:55 PM ET
Todd Wellemeyer (8-4, 4.01) pitched well enough to earn a win, but he was stuck with a no-decision as his bullpen lost a lead, and the Cardinals eventually fell 5-4 at home to Philadelphia. scattered a run on four hits over six innings, and his one big mistake was a solo homer by Phillies slugger Chase Utley. The 29-year-old righthander now has a win and four no-decisions in his last five outings, and on the road, the theme of no-decisions is highlighted. Wellemeyer is 2-0 in ten starts away from home with a 3.28 ERA this year. Wellemeyer has split a pair of meetings with the Cubs this year, posting an ERA of 4.50.

Carlos Zambrano (12-4, 2.76) had a shortened outing in an 8-5 win over Pittsburgh at home, as he took a no-decision by allowing a pair of runs (one earned) on three hits over 82 pitches and five innings, both lows for his last ten starts. However, the Cubs are trying to ensure that Zambrano, who is 12thin innings and had thrown 243 pitches in his last two outings, is fresh for the stretch run. The 27-year-old righthander carries a 6-0 record in 12 starts at Wrigley with an ERA of 2.25, but he shut down the Cardinals on the road, tossing a four-hitter over six innings to lead the Cubs to a 2-1 victory in St. Louis.

These two had split six games, all in St. Louis, ahead of Friday’s series opener. Zambrano has been lights out at Wrigley this season, but Wellemeyer has been pretty stellar on the road, and would have a few more wins with some luck and a better bullpen. In a low-scoring affair, take the Cubs to improve on their NL-leading home record with a victory on Saturday.

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