Our first game involves Jake Arrieta and the rest of the Chicago Cubs taking on the St. Louis Cardinals for the second game of a four-game set at Wrigley Field. Later at night, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates open up a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. Who among these clubs will come away victorious? Read on below for a brief look at both matchups.
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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs (2:20 PM ET)
Line: St. Louis Cardinals (+165) at Chicago Cubs (-185) – view all MLB lines
Jake Arrieta (13-5, 2.59 ERA) has split the two games he’s pitched versus the Cardinals this season, the most recent being a 7-2 loss back in June. In that particular matchup, the right-handed ace logged in five innings in which he allowed a total of four hits and two runs (one earned). But that’s already in the past and the Cubs can expect Arrieta, who is 4-3 with a sizzling 1.71 ERA at home this season, to put on a show on the mound. He heads into today’s game fresh off a shutout performance against the A’s last Saturday.
Meanwhile, climbing the hill for St. Louis is Adam Wainwright (9-6, 4.34 ERA). He aims for redemption later after having a forgettable start during last Sunday’s shocking loss to the Braves. Against the Cubs, Wainwright is 13-7 with a 3.97 ERA across 39 career games (30 starts).
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago (-185) win it, 5-2.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 PM ET)
Line: Pittsburgh Pirates (+147) at Los Angeles Dodgers (-162); total: 8.0 – view all MLB lines
Ivan Nova (8-6, 4.83 ERA) began his Pirates career on a high note, leading his new club to a 5-3 win over the Reds after tossing seven innings of three-run ball. He hopes to replicate or outdo that effort when he toes the rubber for the first time against the Dodgers tonight. On the road this season, Nova has gone 3-4 with an ERA of 6.65 through 10 games (seven starts).
As for Los Angeles, rookie Ross Stripling will be handling the ball. He pitched five scoreless innings and struck out five batters against the Red Sox last weekend. It’ll be interesting to see if he can sustain his form versus the Pirates—a team which the 26-year-old rightly takes on for the first time. Stripling is 2-2 with a 4.41 ERA in seven games (five starts) at Dodger Stadium this year.
Writer’s Prediction
Pirates (+147) win it, 6-4.
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