Chicago @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2019 ) St. Louis 3, Chi. Cubs 2

The St. Louis Cardinals severely hurt Chicago's playoff hopes last weekend and now look to celebrate a division title during their three-game home series against the Cubs that begins on Friday. St. Louis swept a four-game set in Chicago and the Cubs, who have been eliminated from postseason contention, still are reeling as they enter the series opener with a nine-game skid.

The Cardinals are battling Milwaukee for the National League Central crown and hold a one-game lead after dropping their last two games. St. Louis went 32-12 prior to the consecutive losses to Arizona, the first coming in a 19-inning contest. Chicago's swoon continued as it was outscored 22-9 in a three-game series against Pittsburgh, and the nine-game losing streak is its longest since a 12-game slide in May 2012. The series likely is the final one for Cubs manager Joe Maddon as his contract expires at season's end and there have been no talks of a return for 2020 between the skipper and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2, WGN (Chicago), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Alec Mills (1-0, 2.90 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Dakota Hudson (16-7, 3.45)

Mills is making his fourth start of the season and the sixth of his career. The 27-year-old fared well against the Cardinals on Sept. 20, when he registered six strikeouts and gave up two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision. Mills has fanned 15 batters and walked just two in 10 2/3 frames over his last four appearances.

Hudson struggled against Chicago on Saturday, when he gave up three runs on three hits and four walks in three innings of a no-decision. The 25-year-old's shaky outing occurred after he won six of his previous seven decisions. Hudson has posted a 6.23 ERA in three career appearances with the Cardinals, with the other two coming in relief last season.

WALK-OFFS

1. With the division crown on the line, the Cardinals will start veteran Adam Wainwright on Saturday instead of fellow RHP Miles Mikolas.

2. Chicago 3B-OF Kris Bryant (ankle) and SS Javier Baez (thumb) won't play in the series, while 1B Anthony Rizzo (ankle) is doubtful to see action.

3. St. Louis INF Tommy Edman has recorded five consecutive two-hit performances and is batting .341 with six homers in 91 at-bats this month.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Cubs 3