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 St. Louis won a major league-high 100 games in the regular season
and now faces elimination, so manager Mike Matheny changed the
rotation after Monday's loss and will send Game 1 winner John Lackey
to the mound. "I like our odds when our backs are against the wall,"
Matheny said in his press conference. "This is the kind of team that
we've had all season long, regardless of what anybody else thinks,
regardless of odds, regardless of who we're stacked up against, this
team just continues to fight, and that's not something that you lose
regardless of where you stand." Chicago received two-run homers from
Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler and solo shots from Starlin Castro,
Dexter Fowler, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber in Monday's triumph.
"We took care of Monday," Rizzo told reporters. "We'll show up
Tuesday and bring energy and see what we do. We'll be ready to go."
TV: 4:37 p.m. ET, TBS
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH John Lackey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Cubs
RH Jason Hammel (2015: 10-7, 3.74)
Lance Lynn originally was earmarked for Game 4, but Matheny is
turning to the experienced hot hand in Lackey, who blanked Chicago
on two hits over 7 1/3 innings in the series opener. "I'm going to
compete my butt off," Lackey said after the decision was announced.
"We're in this situation and I'm going to go out and compete and try
to keep us alive." Lackey went 2-0 with a 1.25 ERA in three
regular-season starts against the Cubs before handcuffing them in
Game 1.
Hammel matched his career best for victories but had a porous 5.10
ERA after the All-Star break despite winning five of eight
decisions. He went 1-1 with a 5.73 ERA in three starts against the
Cardinals and is winless in three previous career postseason turns.
"I've done this a few times now in the postseason, and I understand
that it's just another ballgame," Hammel said in his press
conference. "Have to approach it that way, and I know the guys in
the clubhouse will be, too."
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WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs SS Addison Russell (hamstring) was injured in Game 3 and
will undergo tests on Tuesday morning to determine his availability.
2. St. Louis C Yadier Molina (left thumb) departed early due to
soreness and his status for Game 4 will depend on his pain
tolerance.
3. Soler is 4-for-4 with two homers, one double and five walks in
the series.
PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Cubs 3
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