Cards, Cubs ready for last regular-season bout
In arguably their most important contest of the season, it’s only fitting that the Cardinals turn to the man who’s fast becoming the team’s new ace.
Carlos Martinez will confront the MLB-best Cubs this evening, with an 8:08 p.m. ET first pitch at Wrigley Field. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the hosts odds of -165 to seize the series finale. Conversely, St. Louis represents a +150 underdog.
Thanks to yesterday’s 10-4 triumph, the Redbirds sit just a half-game behind San Francisco for the second wild card in the National League. They’re also 6-3 at Wrigley Field this season.
Somewhat surprisingly, Martinez boasts none of those victories. The 24-year-old righty is, however, 1-0 with a 3.32 ERA in eight career outings on the North Side. He’ll be opposed by Jon Lester, who posted his National League-leading 18th victory several nights ago.
While Lester’s on an absolute tear at the moment, he would do well to pay special attention to Randal Grichuk. The center fielder holds a .315 batting average with three homers and 14 RBIs since Sept. 4. Even so, we suspect that the Cubbies are keen on ending their home schedule with a flourish.
SUNDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS -1.5