St. Louis @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 11, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 4, St. Louis 8
The Friendly Confines haven't been kind for the Chicago Cubs' offense, as the Cubs have been shut out in four of their last five home games heading into a three-game weekend set with the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. A trip to St. Louis last weekend helped Chicago briefly snap out of its funk at the plate, as the Cubs won two of three games. The Cardinals rebounded by taking two of three against Pittsburgh to pull within two games of the first-place Pirates in the National League Central.
The Cubs have called up right-hander Jake Arrieta, acquired in the deal that sent Scott Feldman to Baltimore, to start Friday's contest and plan to keep him with the big club the remainder of the season to work with pitching coach Chris Bosio. Cardinals right-hander Jake Westbrook, who has split two starts against the Cubs this year, looks to snap a skid of three straight losses and give the bullpen a break after getting a workout in Thursday's 12-inning win over Pittsburgh. The Cardinals lead the season series 7-6, and the teams have split six games in Chicago.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Jake Westbrook (7-7, 4.11 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (1-2, 6.07)
Westbrook has struggled mightily during his losing streak, allowing 18 earned runs - and 10 walks - in 14 2/3 innings. He was tagged for season highs of nine runs and 13 hits in 4 2/3 innings of emergency relief last time out against the Dodgers. Westbrook is 6-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 11 career starts against the Cubs.
Arrieta struggled in five big-league starts with Baltimore this season, but he was outstanding in his Cubs debut July 30 by holding the Brewers to one run on two hits over six innings in a no-decision. The 27-year-old has been solid at Triple-A Iowa, going 2-2 with a 3.56 ERA in seven starts. Arrieta has never faced the Cardinals.
WALK-OFFS
1. St. Louis C Yadier Molina and OF Shane Robinson were activated from the disabled list Thursday. Molina went 0-for-5 in his first action since July 30, dropping his average to .325.
2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 6-for-11 with a pair of doubles against Westbrook.
3. Cardinals OF Matt Holliday is 19-for-42 during a 12-game hitting streak, which is tied for the longest active streak in the majors.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 6, Cubs 4