Sunday, August 31, 2014

Busch Stadium in St. Louis

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Lefty Travis Wood (8-11), who was finally able to pick up an August win last week, will start for the Chicago Cubs when they face veteran John Lackey (2-1) and the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Travis Wood pitched six shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds last Tuesday and came away with the win. He gave up just two hits in that outing and walked one batter while striking out five. Wood currently owns a 4.72 ERA on the year and he has walked 3.9 batters per nine innings, which is the worst walk rate of his career.

Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday has 11 hits in 34 career at-bats against Wood with three doubles, three home runs and six RBI. Jon Jay is 11-for-27 against him with three doubles and five RBI.

Last week against the Pittsburgh Pirates, John Lackey pitched seven solid innings and picked up the win. He allowed just one earned run on seven base hits in that start while walking one batter and striking out three. Lackey has only walked 39 batters in 169.1 innings this season and currently has a 3.77 ERA.

Cubs infielder Luis Valbuena is hitless in his five at-bats against Lackey with a walk and no strikeouts. First baseman Anthony Rizzo, who is the only other Cubs player who has faced Lackey, is 0-for-1 against him with a strikeout.

Chicago Cubs Betting Trends

Chicago Cubs are 65-61-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Chicago Cubs is -0.4

St Louis Cardinals Betting Trends

St Louis Cardinals are 59-67-6 against the Over/Under

Run differential for St Louis Cardinals is -0.1

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Cubs

08/28/14 1B Anthony Rizzo Back questionable
08/28/14 CF Justin Ruggiano Ankle 15-day DL (8/23)
08/28/14 RF Ryan Sweeney Hamstring 15-day DL (8/26)
08/21/14 P Edwin Jackson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/21)
08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
07/31/14 P Felix Doubront Calf 15-day DL (7/31)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

St Louis Cardinals

08/26/14 RF Shane Robinson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/25)
08/19/14 2B Mark Ellis Oblique 15-day DL (8/15)
08/08/14 P Jason Motte Back 15-day DL (8/1)
07/06/14 P Jaime Garcia Shoulder 60-day DL (6/24), out for season
06/23/14 P Michael Wacha Shoulder 60-day DL (6/21)
05/13/14 P Tyler Lyons Shoulder 15-day DL (5/12)

Guy's Pick: Take St. Louis

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