Chicago @ St. Louis preview
Busch Stadium
Last Meeting ( Jun 18, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 4, St. Louis 2
Despite helping the St. Louis Cardinals claim a World Series title in 2011, Edwin Jackson shouldn't expect a warm welcome when he takes the mound Wednesday at Busch Stadium. Jackson and the Chicago Cubs will try to take down the National League Central-leading Cardinals for the second straight night when the rivals continue their four-game series. Chicago held on for a 4-2 victory Tuesday after St. Louis won the opener 5-2 on Monday.
It's the second trip back to St. Louis for Jackson, who was shelled for nine runs (eight earned) in 1 1/3 innings in a start at Busch Stadium while pitching for Washington last season. He and the Cubs are already in spoiler mode, as they trail St. Louis by 15 games. The Cardinals have dropped four of their last seven but remain 2 1/2 games ahead of Cincinnati and three in front of Pittsburgh.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (3-8, 5.40 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (2-2, 2.05)
Jackson got off to a rocky beginning in his first year with the Cubs, but he has recorded his best outings of the season his last two times out. After holding Pittsburgh to one run over seven innings in a win June 9, he beat the Mets with six innings of one-run ball Friday. Jackson is 1-3 with a 4.58 ERA in seven games (six starts) against St. Louis, and he split two starts against the Cardinals last year.
Westbrook struggled a bit in his first start since coming off the disabled list, allowing five runs - three earned - over five innings in a loss at Miami on Friday. Westbrook faced the Cubs on May 8 in his last outing before hitting the DL with a sore elbow, and he allowed four runs - three earned - over 5 1/3 innings but didn't get a decision. He is 5-2 with a 4.24 ERA in nine starts against Chicago.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cardinals C Yadier Molina, who leads the majors with a .363 batting average, is 8-for-12 with two homers against Jackson. Molina is 9-for-15 against the Cubs this season.
2. Westbrook has not allowed a home run to any player on the Cubs' active roster in a total of 131 plate appearances.
3. Cubs RF Nate Schierholtz, who is riding a career-best 10-game hitting streak, is 3-for-10 with a double against Westbrook.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Cubs 3