Chicago Cubs (68-90) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (89-70)
October 1, 2021 8:15 pm EDT
The Line: St. Louis Cardinals -222 / Chicago Cubs +160; Over/Under: -7.5
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The Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals meet Friday in MLB action from Busch Stadium. Chicago just finished up a series versus the Pirates. The Cubs split the first pair in that set, then in the Thursday rubber match Chicago won in a blowout. As for the Cards, they played the Brewers this week. St. Louis similarly split their first two games, then on Thursday the Cardinals eked out a one-run win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Chicago fell in an 8-6 result to Pittsburgh in the Tuesday opener, but then bounced back for a 3-2 win on Wednesday. In game three, the Cubs posted six runs in the second inning during a 9-0 blowout. Justin Steele managed 7.0 innings with four hits and a walk.
For the starter gig in the Friday opener, the Cubs didn’t initially announce a name.
Over on the Cardinals’ side, they beat the Brewers 6-2 Tuesday but then saw their streak come to an end Wednesday with a 4-0 defeat. On Thursday, St. Louis scored two in the sixth inning during a 4-3 comeback win. Starter JA Happ put up 6.1 innings with three earned on nine hits.
For the starting pitcher job in the Friday game, the Cardinals will send out Dakota Hudson. This year Hudson has just one game under his belt (a win) with two strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work.
The Cubs are 26-57 in their last 83 overall and 16-40 in their last 56 versus a team with a winning record. Chicago is 0-4 in their last four Friday games as well.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are 5-0 in their last five in game one of a series and 16-5 in their last 21 versus a team with a losing record. The over is also 4-1 in St. Louis’ last five Friday games.
PICK: I’m going to try St. Louis, but staying away. It’ll be interesting to see what Hudson can do here. He gave up two earned on four hits in 3.2 innings during his lone appearance this season, and still snagged the victory. Hudson is 24-10 in his Major League career, with a 3.20 ERA and 188 Ks in 244.2 innings. If he can give St. Louis a handful of solid frames here the Cardinals should be in good shape for a potential W.
