The St. Louis Cardinals have found a way to bounce back in their latest National League Central showdown against the Chicago Cubs. Responding to their early series troubles, the Cardinals secured a hard-fought 5-4 victory on Saturday, improving their season record to 57-54. This win comes as a morale booster after dropping the first two games of the series.
Mikolas' Tenacity on Display
Pivotal to the Cardinals' success was the gritty performance of pitcher Miles Mikolas. Despite his season ERA standing at a concerning 4.99, Mikolas showed determination and resilience on the mound, earning his eighth win of the season. His record now stands even at 8-8. This kind of perseverance is exactly what the Cardinals needed during such a crucial stretch of the season.
Strength in Numbers
The Cubs, with a now 54-59 record, will aim to regroup quickly for the deciding game set for Sunday Night Baseball, where they are marked as favorites by the bookmakers with a money line of -148. Their ace, Justin Steele, who has a respectable 3.38 ERA despite a 2-5 record, will be key for Chicago's hopes of clinching the series.
The game is expected to be a competitive affair, with the over/under for total runs set at 9. Notably, the Cubs' total runs have hit the Under in 25 of their last 38 home games, indicating a tendency for lower-scoring matches at Wrigley Field.
Key Performances on Both Sides
Several players have been pivotal in their team's offensive efforts this season. Cody Bellinger stands out for the Cubs with a .276 batting average, 11 home runs, and 42 RBI. Bellinger had an impressive outing on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with a double and a solo homer against the Cardinals.
Ian Happ, another key figure for Chicago, boasts 17 home runs and a team-leading 62 RBI despite a .228 batting average. He was instrumental in their win against the Cincinnati Reds on July 31, going 3-for-4 with a double, a homer, and two RBIs.
Cardinals' Offensive Edge
The Cardinals have also demonstrated depth in their lineup. Alec Burleson has been a consistent performer, holding a .278 batting average with 19 home runs and 64 RBI. Burleson managed to drive in two runs during their victory over the Rangers on July 31, adding to his season's credentials.
Nolan Arenado, contributing with a .266 batting average, 11 home runs, and 48 RBI, continues to be a backbone for the Cardinals' offense. On Thursday, he reinforced his value with a 2-for-4 performance, including two singles and an RBI.
As the two teams prepare for their final face-off of the series, the Cardinals will be looking to build on their recent success, while the Cubs will aim to leverage their home-field advantage and bounce back. With both teams showing flashes of brilliance, Sunday's game promises to be a definitive spectacle in this season's NL Central race.