St. Louis at Chicago

The Cards are right back in the race in the NL Central, as they have moved to within 2.5 games of the Brewers, and are now within two games of the Cubs, as they open a pivotal series at Wrigley. The Cards have now won five straight while out-scoring opponents 46-10. Brandon Looper has owned this Cub lineup. He is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA against them this year, and over the past two seasons, in 24 innings, has an outstanding 1.13 ERA against them. The Cubs are just 4-10 in their last 14 games, and the struggles are on the mound. They have allowed 87 runs, good for 6.2 a game, and it is hard to find the win column when the pitching goes south. Rich Hill was off to a great start, but the Cubs are just 5-12 in his last 17 starts. Hill worked through 6+ innings in 12 of his first 13 starts, but has managed to do so in just 4 of his last 10. The Cubs pen has given up 2+ runs on average, over his last 18 starts. The Cards are a hot team with a pitcher that has solved this Cub lineup, and with the Cubs struggling - winning only 29% of Hill's starts, and just 29% of their last 14 games, we have a very solid dog in this contest.