The Chicago Cubs will travel to St. Louis to face their NL Central rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs have been riding a hot streak, while the Cardinals have suffered from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Cardinals Look to Bounce Back
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, their nightmare with COVID-19 continues. Their series opener on Friday got canceled due to another positive coronavirus test. Since last week, a total of eight Cardinals players have tested positive.
These players include Yadier Molina, Paul DeJong, Carlos Martinez, Rangel Ravelo, Edmundo Sosa, Junior Fernandez, and Kodi Whitley. Several staff members have also tested positive. The rest of the series is also in jeopardy of being canceled.
They made it through three days of constant negative testing. But the worst news possible broke on Friday.
If it isn’t canceled like their last eight contests, they will need to find a way to bounce back. Many other teams have found a rhythm and are becoming used to playing in the odd environment.
Friday would have been the first day since July 26 that all 30 teams were playing. St. Louis hasn’t been the only team struggling with this.
Before they had to stop playing, the Cardinals were 2-3, trying to battle in a tough NL Central. Paul Goldschmidt was leading the team in batting average at .316.
Their two top pitchers, Jack Flaherty and Adam Wainwright, were both starting the season strong. They started in the team’s two wins, and both carry a low ERA. It seems this team’s best chance of winning is when they are on the mound.
Cubs are Hot
This has to be disappointing news for the Cubs as they were playing well. If this is a series-long break, they won’t be too happy.
They are 10-3 and are first in the division. They have had troubles in the bullpen but have also scored enough runs for that not to matter much. Willson Contreras leads the team with a .317 batting average.
Anthony Rizzo has blasted three home runs, while Javier Baez has nine RBI in their first 13 games.
These guys will want to stay loose if they have to sit out for two or three days. They can’t lose the momentum that they had in this tough division.
Their top arms, Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish, are both 2-1 in their first three starts. Darvish has a 2.12 ERA, while Hendricks has a 3.54 ERA. No one is tearing it up on the mound, but they are getting run support.
Prediction
It remains up in the air if this game is going to be played or not. They will need to quarantine those that have the virus and go through a round of negative tests.
Cubs first baseman Rizzo might be seen handing out hand sanitizer as he did in the opener.
But if this game is played, the Cubs have the advantage. None of their top players are out, and they have been playing well. Take the Cubs in this one.