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After Rainout, Cardinals Seek to Stay Hot in Clash vs. Cubs
The much-anticipated showdown between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals was postponed due to rain on Friday at Busch Stadium, but the delay hasn’t dampened the excitement. The game will be rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on July 13. For now, the teams will play a shortened two-game series on Saturday and Sunday.
Cardinals Riding High
The Cardinals are having some fantastic luck, coming into the series with a three-game series of wins and triumphs in eight of their last ten games. The rainout permitted the Cardinals to push their planned Friday starter, Miles Mikolas (3-5, 5.77 Period), back a day. This move assists them with staying away from the problematic No. 5 opening in their pivot, which has been an issue since Steven Matz arrived on the harmed list with a back physical issue.
Matthew Liberatore, who has been filling in, has struggled recently, allowing eight runs on 11 hits over just 6 1/3 innings in his last two starts. This has put extra strain on the bullpen.
“He’s taking his best shot for the situation that we’re in, and it does complicate things for the ‘pen a little bit because you end up overextending guys,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “You’re asking them to do more than they need to do, and they’re out there for extra outs, an extra inning.”
Mikolas is coming off his best start of the season, where he allowed one run on two hits over five innings in a 7-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Although he didn’t get the decision, he holds a solid career record against the Cubs with a 5-4 record and a 2.58 ERA in 19 career appearances (17 starts).
Cubs’ Pitching Plans
First-year sensation Shota Imanaga (5-0, 0.84 ERA), initially set to pitch on Friday, will now start in the next series. The Cubs are 8-1 in games he has started this season. Imanaga has been stellar, throwing 12 scoreless innings in his last two starts with 15 strikeouts, four walks, and 11 hits allowed.
Right-hander Jameson Taillon (3-2, 2.20 Time) will begin as planned on Saturday for the Cubs. Taillon started the season solid with a 3-0 record and a 1.13 Period in his initial four beginnings yet has battled as of late, permitting 10 runs (five procured) on 13 hits north of 8 2/3 innings in his last two beginnings. He additionally strolled five and surrendered three homers during this period.
“I thought [Jameson] pitched well,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after Taillon allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings during a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. “Defensively we didn’t help him necessarily, and that added to the pitches for sure, got the pitches up there. We had the game in kind of a spot. He got a huge strikeout of Oneil Cruz to really help out. We just couldn’t get that next out in the fifth inning. They came up with the big hit. But Jamo threw the ball well.”
Taillon has a solid track record against the Cardinals, going 2-0 with a 3.77 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings over three starts last season. Over his career, he is 5-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 12 starts against St. Louis.
Key Players and Matchup Insights
The Cardinals’ offense has been firing on all cylinders recently, and they will look to maintain their momentum against Taillon. Mikolas will aim to build on his recent success and provide a strong start to keep the bullpen fresh.
For the Cubs, maintaining defensive sharpness and supporting Taillon will be crucial. The Cubs’ lineup will need to capitalize on any opportunities against Mikolas, who has shown vulnerability at times this season.
Conclusion
As the Cardinals try to broaden their hot streak and the Cubs expect to return, this end of the week’s series vows to be a thrilling part in the well established competition between these two celebrated establishments. Fans can expect a serious and high-stakes confrontation as the two groups strive for significant successes in the early piece of the time.
