For what it's worth, yesterday we finished with a 6-1 record on our posted plays, making us 95-85- 10 for September. Before we get to today's play:
R.I.P. Jose Fernandez, you may be gone too soon, but you will not soon be forgotten. Thanks for the memories.
On to today's game. We only have one now
CHIC CUBS @ STL
Starting Pitchers
Edge - CHI
Bullpens
Team
|
WHIP
|
ERA
|
SIERA
|
xFIP
|
W
|
L
|
SV
|
BS
|
SV %
|
LOB%
|
AVG
|
BABIP
|
Cardinals
|
1.23
|
3.55
|
3.70
|
3.92
|
25
|
21
|
36
|
15
|
70.6%
|
74.50%
|
0.223
|
0.274
|
Cubs
|
1.20
|
3.55
|
3.51
|
3.73
|
21
|
19
|
34
|
15
|
69.4%
|
75.40%
|
0.209
|
0.262
|
Edge - CHI very slight
Offenses
Team
|
Off
|
Rank
|
|
wRC+
|
Rank
|
|
wOBA
|
Rank
|
|
WAR
|
Rank
|
Cardinals
|
10.5
|
5
|
|
104
|
4
|
|
0.326
|
7
|
|
21.9
|
7
|
Cubs
|
53.2
|
2
|
|
106
|
2
|
|
0.326
|
7
|
|
20
|
8
|
Edge - CHI very slight
Defense
Team
|
Def
|
Rank
|
Cardinals
|
-1
|
18
|
Cubs
|
115.5
|
1
|
Edge - CHI
This game looks like it could be a close one between two good teams. The Cubs get a small edge in the bullpen, and are a much better defensive team. The offense are both very potent and very evenly matched. That brings us to the two starting pitchers. John Lester is having an incredible season. He's 18-4, with 25 quality starts in his 30 outings (83.3%). He also missed another quality start by just 1 out in a game in which he didn't allow any runs. Lester has only allowed more than 3 earned runs, 4 times this season (13.3%). Over his last 10 starts, he owns a minuscule 0.83 WHIP, a equally tiny 1.05 ERA and an 8-0 record across 68.2 innings. Carlos Martinez is also having a fine season. He's 15-8, with 18 quality starts in his 29 outings (62.1%). He has allowed at least 4 earned runs in 7 of his starts (24.1%). Martinez has been a little streakier than Lester, but is on a good streak right now, having tossed 6 quality starts in his last 8 outings, in which he's 5-1, with his only loss being a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Lester and these Cubs. He allowed 4 earned run in 6 innings in that outing. They are both very good pitchers, an in very good form, but Martinez has had problems with the Cubs (1-2, 1.38 WHIP, 5.25 ERA) , so I give Lester the edge.
PICK - CHI CUBS 1st 5 Innings (-149) and ML (-157)