Chicago at St. Louis

Chicago is favored on the road with its ace going, but this is the end of a nine-game trip that hasn't been pretty, going 5-8 the last 13 -- losing seven times as chalk. Jake Arietta faces a strong St. Louis offense, one ranked second in baseball in runs scored, tops in the NL. The Cardinals are also fourth in the league in on base percentage and second in slugging. The Cardinals have scored 34 runs in the ninth inning this season. St. Louis is 150-71 at home against a right-handed starter. The Cardinals have a terrific arm of their own going in Carlos Martinez (3.56 ERA), who is 3-0 with a 3.96 ERA in 15 games (five starts) against Chicago. The team is 11-5 when Martinez faces an opponent with a winning record. Play St. Louis.