Preview: Cardinals at Cubs

[July 25, 2014]  The St. Louis Cardinals always relish wins over the rival Chicago Cubs, but any they can claim this weekend at Wrigley Field will be even sweeter than usual. The Cardinals begin a six-game road trip Friday looking to snap a three-game skid and gain ground in the heated National League Central race. St. Louis is tied for second in the division with Pittsburgh, three games behind leader Milwaukee.

Chicago left-hander Travis Wood looks to right the ship after losing his last three starts, and the Cubs need him to stop a stretch of woeful pitching. The Cubs allowed 21 runs while losing the final two games of their series with visiting San Diego - the lowest-scoring team in the majors by a wide margin. That's welcome news for the Cardinals, who have managed a total of five runs during their three-game losing streak and haven't scored more than four runs in their last six contests dating to before the All-Star break.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), WGN (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Joe Kelly (2-1, 2.84 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Travis Wood (7-9, 5.12)
 

Kelly threw a career-high seven innings last time out, allowing one run and four to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in his second start since returning from the disabled list. The 26-year-old has made only five starts because of a long DL stint with a hamstring injury. Kelly is 3-2 with a 2.19 ERA in eight games (five starts) versus the Cubs.

Wood has not approached his All-Star form from a year ago, especially over the past month. The 27-year-old is 0-4 with a 6.82 ERA in his last six starts, and he continues to issue too many walks - 52 in 116 innings. Wood has beaten the Cardinals twice this season and is 5-5 with a 4.99 ERA in 13 career starts against them.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is riding a nine-game hitting streak but is 1-for-16 with three strikeouts versus Kelly.

2. St. Louis RHP Shelby Miller will start Saturday, returning to the rotation after spending the past week in the bullpen in an effort to limit his workload.

3. The Cubs are 0-52 when trailing after eight innings.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 5, Cubs 2

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