Cubs draw short in series finale with Cards
By Tony Rusch |
| source |
Chicago was able to put up four runs against the Cardinals, but the Cubs' bullpen again proved itself inadequate, allowing four runs in three innings and helping Saint Louis to an 8-4 victory. The bullpen, which has struggled mightily this season, is currently short-handed after the season-ending elbow injury to relief pitcher Matt Guerrier. The Cubs subsequently turn to pitchers James Russell and Blake Parker, but the duo can't seem to help the club in tight spots. Russell and Parker post a combined ERA of just 2.67, but hold a less-than-impressive record of 2-5. Ideally, the Cubs would like to have Guerrier and pitcher Pedro Strop as the set-up pieces before closer Kevin Gregg takes the ball, but will have to work around Guerrier's injury and find an arm that can keep high-powered teams at bay (video recap).
The loss drops the Cubbies to 52-65 and the club is now a disheartening 3-7 in its last 10 games. The Cubs now sit 18 games back of the NL Central-leading Pirates. The Cardinals seem to be in even worse shape as of late. Since the All-Star break, the club has gone 10-14, putting the Cards three games back in the NL Central after leading the division for the majority of the first half. This cold-streak couldn't come at a more inopportune time for the Cardinals as the Pirates, who swept the Cardinals in a four-game set in their last meeting, roll into Saint Louis for a three-game series.
The Cubs will look to keep their momentum going after the series win as Travis Wood takes the mound tonight against Cincinnati's Matt Latos. The Reds have been all over the Cubs in the 2013 season, posting a head-to-head record of 10-3. The Cubs, who have had success against American League and other non-divisional opponents, have been abysmal in NL Central match-ups and do not hold a winning record against any divisional team this season. The Reds, however, come into Chicago on a cold-streak, batting just .198 over a 14-game stretch in which the club went 6-8. Cincinnati will hope to end that streak with the return of veteran slugger Ryan Ludwick who is scheduled to make his first appearance since he was injured on opening day.
Tonight's game will depend on the success of Travis Wood, who is 0-3 with a 4.65 ERA against the Reds in five starts. If Wood can keep himself in the game through six or seven innings, the Cubs should be able to turn their luck around.
Game starts at 7:05 CST
