ST. LOUIS CARDINALS NOTES:
RECENT REDBIRDS: The Cardinals continue a six-game road trip over seven days to Chicago and Boston. Tonight, the Cardinals conclude a three-game series against their National League Central rivals the Chicago Cubs. St. Louis has won a season-high three straight games and moved to 8.0 games back of first place Pittsburgh. The team has been in 5th place for 14 days.
IT’S CALLED A WINNING STREAK: The Cardinals put together a season-long three game winning streak. The last time the ‘Birds won four straight was Aug. 31-Sept.4, 2022, which culminated with a three-game sweep of the Cubs at Busch Stadium.
SWEEPS: The Cardinals are looking for their first sweep of the season. Their last sweep was a three-gamer vs. the Cubs at Busch Stadium (Sept. 2-4, 2022), while their last road sweep was Aug. 20-22, 2022 vs. Arizona at Chase Field. St. Louis swept seven series in 2022.
THE FRIENDLY CONFINES: Dating back to July 10, 2021, the Cardinals have won 13-of-their-last-17 games at Wrigley Field, averaging 6.0 runs a game over that stretch. Over that period, the two rivals have played two five-game series (8/22-25/22 & 6/2-5/22) and a four-game series (9/24-26/21). This will be the first time there has not been a doubleheader between the two squads in Chicago since July 9-10, 2021, when a rain out cut short a three-game series prior to the All-Star Break.
CHICAGO NIGHTS: The Cardinals will be playing three night games at Wrigley Field for the first time since Sept. 22-24, 2014. Since the Cubs installed lights at the Friendly Confines in 1988, St. Louis is 36-49 (.424); as the Cardinals started 1-13 in their first 14 night games, before going 35-36 since. Oddly enough, of the nine day games played in MLB today, the game at Wrigley Field is not one of them. The Cardinals will play their first day game in Chicago, of the 2023 season, when they visit the White Sox for a 1:10 tilt on July 8.
NINTH INNING NIGHTMARE: Cardinals shortstop and Illinois State University baseball alum, Paul DeJong, smacked his 14th career home run at Wrigley Field last night to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead, but more intriguing was it was his 6th home run in the 9th inning at Wrigley Field. DeJong’s 14 home runs at the Friendly Confines are his most at any road ballpark…
PASSING POPS, HAMMERIN’ HANK AND JOEY BATS: DeJong’s six 9th inning bombs at Wrigley Field are the most of any active visiting player and with last night’s blast, moved into 2nd place in that category in the Expansion Era (since 1961), passing Willie Stargell, Hank Aaron and Joey Votto. Mike Schmidt holds the record with nine 9th inning visiting bombs at Wrigley Field. Among active players at any ballpark, DeJong’s six 9th inning home runs at Wrigley Field are the most with Freddie Freeman (5, Oracle Park-SF), Joey Votto (5, Wrigley Field-CHI) and Michael Conforto (5, Citizens Bank Park-PHI) next in line. Elias Sports Bureau
WHIZ-KNIZ: Since being named starting catcher on Saturday, Andrew Knizner has batted .353 (6-17) with four doubles, a home run and three RBI. Knizner’s five extra base hits over that period are tied for the most in Major League Baseball along with teammate Paul Gold- schmidt and six others. Knizner’s four doubles over the last four games is one behind Miami’s Jesus Sanchez (5) for the most in MLB.
SOUTHPAW SHOWDOWN ON THE NORTH SIDE: Tonight, Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery is facing Cubs ace Justin Steele, and in the process will be trying to snap a career-high four-game losing streak. During those four losses, the Cardinals have been shut out in three, while he has run out three quality starts. He’s facing the Cubs for the 5th time in his career, and is currently on a 22.0 scoreless IP streak vs. the North Siders dating to last season. Over his career, Montgomery is 4-0 career vs. the Cubs, matching the Rays and Blue Jays for his highest win total against an opponent. With a win, Montgomery would join Fred Frankhouse (1927) as the only Cardinals pitcher to begin career 5-0 vs. the Cubs. In his most recent start at Wrigley Field and his first as a member of the Cardinals, he threw a one-hit shutout (8/22/22)
ROAD TRIP RELICS: The Cardinals continue a three-city road trip through the three oldest active ballparks in Major League Baseball all in succession on the road. The journey started with Dodger Stadium (1962) April 28-30 during their last road trip. Wrigley Field, which opened in 1914 (but housed the Cubs for their first game in 1916), continues the trip on this stop of a three-game series, before St. Louis barnstorms into Boston for the completion of the road trip with three at Fenway Park (1912) from May 12-14.
LONGBALL LEGENDS: The Cardinals have hit 770 home runs at Wrigley Field since the stadium opened passing the Pittsburgh Pirates
(768) last night.
THE INFIRMARY: Cardinals outfielder Tyler O’Neill (left lower back strain; 10-day I.L.) has begun hitting off a tee and is projected to start
a rehabilitation assignment with Memphis (AAA) next week. Right-handed pitcher Jake Woodford (right shoulder inflammation; 15-day I.L.) will start a throwing program.
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: LHP JORDAN MONTGOMERY (2-4, 3.29)
TONIGHT’S GAME
NL Leaders: Losses (4, T-7th); Walks/9 IP (1.98, 7th); HR/9 IP (0.44, 5th)
• Is set to make his 8th start of the season and his 116th career (19th as a member of the Cardinals).
• Is trying to snap a career-high four-game losing streak, although the Cardinals have been shut out in three of his four losses while he has had three quality starts among his four defeats.
• Facing the Cubs for just the 5th time in his career, and has a 22.0 scoreless IP streak vs. the Cubs dating to last season. Is 4-0 career vs. the Cubs, matching the Rays and Blue Jays for his highest win total against an opponent.
• Only Cardinals pitcher to begin career 5-0 vs. the Cubs was Fred Frankhouse (1927).
• He threw a CG 1-hit shutout in his last appearance on the Wrigley Field mound (8/22/22).
• For the season, Monty has allowed just two round-tippers, and he’s yet to allow a HR on the road in his three starts (19.2 IP) away from Busch Stadium.
• Has allowed just one earned run in his three road games this season, fanning 22 in 19.2 IP. In five career road starts with St. Louis, he’s allowed zero earned runs in three of those games – the lone instances he has not done so were both at Dodger Stadium.
• Has yet to record a GIDP in 2023, as he leads team’s starters in fewest baserunners/9 IP (11.20) and WHIP (1.22).
• His 20 runs of support are T4th lowest among NL starters (min. 40 IP), and he’s received just 5 runs in support over his last five starts.
• Is 8-7 with a 3.18 ERA in 18 starts as a member of the Cardinals and St. Louis has won 10 of his 18 starts.
• Leads all Cardinals pitchers with 99 strikeouts since being acquired at the 2022 Trade Deadline (8/2/22).
• Has not walked a left-handed batter since being acquired by the Cardinals (66 total batters faced). Is the only pitcher in MLB who has faced 50+ left-handed batters without a walk to a LHB since 8/1/22.
• Made his fourth Opening Day roster and first with the Cardinals, adding to 2018, 2021 and 2022 with the Yankees. Was on the Injured List in 2019 and Taxi Squad in 2020.
• Has held his opposition to three earned runs or fewer in 79% (91-of-115) of his career starts.
LAST TIME OUT
• Took his first no-decision of the season as the Cardinals fell, 5-4, to the Detroit Tigers last Fri. (5/5). It was his team-leading 5th quality start, and 3rd-straight. He’s received just 3 runs of support over this last three starts & just 5 in his last five starts.
DATE vs. RESULT DEC IP H R ER BB SO HR NP-S
5/5 DET L 5-4 — 6.0 6 2 2 1 6 1 89-60
2023
• Locked horns with Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers on 4/29 at Dodger Stadium…allowed just one run across 6.2 IP, but was handed his 4th-straight loss (1-0).
• Threw a season-high 107 pitches and limited the SF Giants to just one unearned run over his 6.0 IP on 4/24, but took the loss as Alex Cobb blanked the Cardinals, 4-0. It was just the 2nd road loss for Monty as a member of the Cardinals.
• Established a new career-high with a 15.0 inning scoreless streak from 4/2-13, surpassing his previous high of 14.2 IP.
• Won his opening start of the season behind a 9-4 offensive effort vs. TOR (4/2) in a series clinching win.
• Threw 7.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball at MIL (4/8). Was the longest outing by a Cardinals pitcher this season and his 2nd consecutive scoreless outing against an N.L. Central opponent on the road (16.0 IP streak).
• Tied his career-highs in both hits (10) and runs (7) allowed as the Cardinals lost 8-7 vs. ARI (4/18) in a game they rallied from down 7-2 in the 4th inning.
CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:
CUBS WRAP UP THE ‘STAND: The Chicago Cubs tonight close out a six-game homestand with the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals … St. Louis has won the first two contests by scores of 3-1 and 6-4 … Chicago aims to avoid being swept in a home series against St. Louis since dropping each of a four-game set Sept. 24-26, 2021 … this homestand began with the Cubs taking two of three from Miami last weekend.
The Cubs have dropped a season-high three-straight games for the third time this season (also April 1-3, April 28-30 and May 2-4) … Chicago last had a longer skid during a four-game losing streak, Aug. 27-30 of last season at Milwaukee (0-2) and Toronto (0-2).
The Cubs went 10-3 in 13 games from April 4-19, buy have gone 6-13 in 19 contests starting April 20.
Chicago is in final day of 16-consecutive gamedays … this run started April 25 and the team is 5-10 thus far.
Tonight is the 13th game (3-9) of a stretch that sees the team on the road for 16 of 22 contests through May 21.
Chicago has tomorrow off before embarking on a three-city, nine-game 10-day trip through Minnesota (3 games starting Friday), Houston (3 games starting Monday) and Philadelphia (3 games beginning May 19).
MAN OF STEELE: Today’s Cubs starter Justin Steele has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his last 14 starts dating to July 22 of last season, having posted a 1.24 ERA (11 ER/80.0 IP), the lowest ERA in the majors during the run (min. 14 GS).
Steele’s run of 14-straight starts with two or fewer earned runs allowed are the longest by a Cubs starter since Jake Arrieta did so in 14 consecutive outings from July 30, 2015-April 4, 2016 … that’s the longest stretch by any Cubs starter since earned runs were tracked starting in 1912.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: Chicago has reached via walk, hit or HBP 474 times this season, fourth-most among all clubs, trailing only Tampa Bay (491), Boston (485) and Atlanta (476) … the Cubs lead the majors with 273 left on base.
Chicago’s 378 plate appearances with RISP are the most in the N.L. and fourth in the majors (Boston leads, 416) … in its last 17 games since April 22 the Cubs have hit .189 (27-for-143) with RISP.
The Cubs have 40 plate appearances with the bases loaded, tied for sixth-most in the majors, but have batted .189 (7-for-37) with no walks, 11 strikeouts and three sac flies in those situations.
CLOSE CALLS ABOUND: Chicago’s last 10 setbacks since April 26 have been by three or fewer runs … the team this season is 6-14 (.300) in games decided by three or fewer runs, including a 2-8 mark in one-run contests … the club’s .200 winning percentage in one-run games is the second-lowest in the major leagues ahead of only St. Louis (1-7/.125).
The Cubs 14 setbacks by three or fewer runs are tied for third-most in the majors … conversely, Chicago’s 11 wins by four or more runs rank tied for fourth-most in baseball.
LET’S GO FOR A WALK: Ian Happ ranks second in the N.L. with 29 free passes while teammate Dansby Swanson has coaxed 24 free passes, sixth-most in the Senior Circuit … Swanson’s 24 walks are already nearly half of the 49 free passes he drew in 2022.
SOMETHING OF QUALITY: Cubs pitchers have recorded 18 quality starts this season, tied for second-most in the majors, trailing only Pittsburgh (19) … Marcus Stroman on Monday allowed two earned runs in 6.0 innings for his major league-leading seventh quality start of the year.
The Cubs last season recorded their 18th quality start in their 88th game of the season, July 13 vs. Baltimore.
WHEN IT’S RIGHT, IT’S RIGHT: Ian Happ has posted a .479 on-base percentage against right-handed pitching this season, the second-best mark in the majors behind only Miami’s Luis Arraez (.481).
Happ has hit .344 (32-for-93) against right-handed pitching, the sixth-highest mark in the game … Arraez leads with a whopping .418 average.
‘PENNING SOME THOUGHTS: Chicago’s bullpen has posted a 2.23 ERA (12 ER/48.1 IP) and a 0.91 WHIP in the team’s last 13 games since April 27, walking 12 and striking out 33 … this follows a six-game stretch from April 20-26 in which the ‘pen posted a 5.70 ERA (15 ER/23.2 IP) with 15 walks, 30 strikeouts and a 1.52 WHIP.
Taking away his season debut, in which he allowed five runs in 0.2 innings April 2 vs. Milwaukee, Julian Merryweather has pitched to a 2.70 ERA (4 ER/13.1 IP) with two walks and 16 strikeouts in 13 outings since April 4 (0.82 WHIP).
Mark Leiter Jr. has allowed earned runs in just one of 16 outings this season, and has a 1.13 ERA (2 ER/16.0 IP) while collecting 25 strikeouts against six walks … all that helps translate to a 0.94 WHIP this year.
SAVED BY THE BELL-INGER: Cody Bellinger since April 4 has hit .321 (36-for-112) with 27 runs, nine doubles, a triple, six home runs, and 15 RBI in his last 29 games, reaching safely in 27 of those contests … he’s scored five runs in his last six games.
Since April 4, Bellinger’s .580 slugging mark is fourth among N.L. qualified hitters, and his .971 OPS is fifth … since April 4, he has a 1.099 OPS against lefthanded pitching this season and an .894 OPS against righties.
Starting Pitcher – #35 LHP Justin Steele (5-0, 1.45)
Last Time Out
Justin earned his fifth win of the season May 5 vs. Miami, his second-straight outing against the Marlins … has completed at least 6.0 innings in six of his seven starts in 2023 and recorded six quality starts … did not allow a walk in the outing for the first time this season … has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 14-straight starts dating to July 22, 2022.
Date Opp. Result IP H R ER BB SO PC-S Left
5/5 MIA W, 4-1 7.0 6 1 1 0 5 86-64 3-1
2023 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 3-0 0.74 4 4 24.1 16 2 2 7 20
Road 2-0 2.37 3 3 19.0 14 7 5 4 16
AVG vs. LHB: .225 (9-for-40) / AVG vs. RHB: .191 (21-for-110)
Justin is making his eighth start of the 2023 season today, fifth at Wrigley Field … has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 14-straight starts since July 22, 2022, the longest active streak in the majors and tied for the second-longest such stretch in Cubs franchise history (since 1901), behind Jack Taylor’s streak of 16 games June 13-Aug. 14, 1902 (tied with Arrieta, 14 G, 7/30/15-4/4/16) … has posted a 1.24 ERA (11 ER/80.0 IP) since July 22, 2022, the lowest ERA in the majors during the run (min. 10 GS) … his 1.45 ERA in 2023 is the lowest in the N.L. and second-lowest in the majors among qualified pitchers, while his .200 opponent average (30-for-150) is the fifth-lowest in the N.L. … is one of three N.L. pitchers with at least five wins and the only one to have five wins and zero losses … opposing batters are hitting .130 (7-for-54) off his slider … has walked two or fewer batters in five-straight starts and six of his seven in 2023.
Went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) with 13 strikeouts in four Cactus League starts in 2023 … started and tossed the first 2.0 innings of the Cubs combined no-hitter, March 3 at San Diego.
