Cubs @ Cardinals – Series Preview (May 12-14): TV and Game Info, Pitching Matchups, Insights
The Cubs have continued their inconsistent play the last several weeks and, after losing two out of three in Denver, are now at an even 17-17 record. On the promising side, Chicago has gotten quality starts in three of the last four games.
After 12 games the St. Louis Cardinals were 3-9 and looked as if they might be out of the race by May. But you had to know they were never going to go down that easily. Since that point St. Louis has posted a 16-5 record and is now in 1st place in the NL Central. Yes, the Cubs are looking up in the standings for the first time since 2015.
The Cards’ offense is being led by Jedd Gyorko, who is hitting .351 with 6 homers. Mike Leake is 4-1 with a sparkling 1.79 ERA in six starts this season to headline the rotation. The Cardinals are likely to be the Cubs’ main divisional competition this year, so winning at least two of three would be big. And with how they have played of late, winning a series against anyone would be big
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Friday, May 12 at 7:15 CT on CSN-C and MLB Network
- Saturday, May 13 at 3:05 CT on ABC7 and Fox Sports 1
- Sunday, May 14 at 1:15 CT on WGN and MLB Network
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | ERA | W/L | K/BB |
| 5/12 | Eddie Butler | 26 | R | 0.00 | 0-0 | 0.00 |
| Mike Leake | 29 | R | 1.79 | 4-1 | 3.86 | |
| 5/13 | Jon Lester | 33 | L | 3.27 | 1-1 | 2.50 |
| Carlos Martinez | 25 | R | 3.86 | 2-3 | 2.94 | |
| 5/14 | Jake Arrieta | 31 | R | 5.35 | 4-2 | 3.67 |
| Adam Wainwright | 35 | R | 6.37 | 2-3 | 2.54 |
What To Watch For
- Look for Jeimer Candelario to continue getting more time in the lineup. With Jason Heyward on the DL, Joe Maddon has been playing Kris Bryant in the outfield. Candelario is likely to play at third those games.
- After an impressive spring and a good performance in AAA, Eddie Butler is starting in place of the injured/ineffective Brett Anderson. Butler will look to create ground ball contact with his sinker. If he pitches well he may earn a permanent spot in the rotation.
- Jake Arrieta and Adam Wainwright clash Sunday in a battle of struggling aces. Both righties have ERA’s over 5.0 early in the season. The drop in velocity from Arrieta doesn’t seem to be going away. For the Cubs to be effective, they have to get more out of their No. 2 starter.
- Once again, hitting with runners in scoring position has been a bugaboo for the Northsiders, as they strand a league-high 4.21 runners in scoring position per game. While this is often a matter of luck and/or circumstance, the Cubs could sure use a change of fortune.
