Chicago Cubs (31-26) at St. Louis Cardinals (29-25) | Busch Stadium | 6:15 PM CT / 7:15 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs (31–26 after losing 6–5 yesterday) travel to Busch Stadium for Game 2 of the series against the St. Louis Cardinals (29–25). We’re DOWN 0-1 after Nelson Velázquez crushed a 3-run homer yesterday to power the Cardinals to victory! Ben Brown (1-2, 2.01 ERA) starts against Kyle Leahy (5-3, 4.44 ERA) on Saturday night!
This is Game 2—can we bounce back and even the series?
Cubs Season: 31-26, DOWN 0-1 in Series!
Record: 31-26 (Five Games Over .500, Down 0-1 in Series)
We’re 31–26 and five games over .500 but we’re DOWN 0-1 after losing 6–5 yesterday! Nelson Velázquez crushed a 3-run homer to power the Cardinals! Ian Happ hit a solo homer (his 13th) but it wasn’t enough! Michael Busch drove in a run (32nd RBI) but we couldn’t catch them!
Yesterday’s Loss (6–5):
- Lost 6-5 (down 0-1 in series)
- Nelson Velázquez: 3-run homer (Cardinals go up!)
- Iván Herrera: Solo homer
- Thomas Saggese: Solo homer
- Ian Happ: Solo homer (13th of season)
- Michael Busch: 1 RBI (32nd of season)
- Shota Imanaga: Gave up too many runs!
We’re DOWN 0-1 but Game 2 is a fresh start!
Cardinals Season: 29-25, UP 1-0 in Series!
Record: 29-25 (Four Games Over .500, Up 1-0 in Series)
The Cardinals are 29–25 and four games over .500 after crushing us 6–5 yesterday! Nelson Velázquez’s 3-run homer was the DAGGER in the 1st inning! They’re 13-13 at home and off to a great start in this series!
Yesterday’s Win (6–5):
- Won 6-5 (up 1-0 in series!)
- Nelson Velázquez: 3-run bomb in 1st (CRUSHED us!)
- Iván Herrera: Solo homer
- Thomas Saggese: Solo homer
- Jordan Walker: Star power (15 HRs, 42 RBIs!)
- Andre Pallante: Got the win
Kyle Leahy Tonight:
- 5-3, 4.44 ERA (decent pitcher)
- Facing Ben Brown (1-2, 2.01 ERA – much BETTER!)
- Leahy is 13-13 at home but ERA over 4
What We’re Facing:
- Cardinals are 29-25 (solid team!)
- Nelson Velázquez is DANGEROUS (.300 AVG, 12 HRs)
- Jordan Walker: 15 HRs, 42 RBIs (.300 AVG, .576 SLG – ELITE!)
- Playing at Busch Stadium (tough road park)
The Cardinals have POWER but we can match it!
Key Matchups at Busch Stadium
Ben Brown (1-2, 2.01 ERA!) vs Kyle Leahy (4.44 ERA)
Brown has an ELITE ERA (2.01!) while Leahy is at 4.44! We have the pitching advantage!
Ian Happ vs Cardinals
Happ hit his 13th homer yesterday! Stay hot and keep driving in runs!
Jordan Walker (15 HRs, 42 RBIs, .300 AVG!) vs Cubs
Walker is having an ELITE season! He’s the Cardinals’ star! Must shut him down!
Nelson Velázquez (Dangerous Power!) vs Cubs
He crushed a 3-run homer yesterday! Keep him off the board!
What the Cubs Need at Busch Stadium
Ben Brown Dominates!
Brown is 1-2 with a 2.01 ERA (ELITE!). The Cardinals have a 4.44 ERA (Leahy). Ben needs to dominate!
Ian Happ Stays Hot
13th homer yesterday! Keep the power going and drive in runs!
Michael Busch Produces
32 RBIs this season! Get timely hits against Leahy (4.44 ERA)!
Shut Down Jordan Walker and Nelson Velázquez
Walker is ELITE (15 HRs, 42 RBIs, .300 AVG, .576 SLG!). Velázquez hit the 3-run bomb yesterday! Keep them OFF the board!
Cubs Fan Prediction: We Bounce Back!
Final Score: Cubs 5, Cardinals 4
Ben Brown dominates—7 innings, 4 runs. With a 2.01 ERA vs Leahy’s 4.44, we have the pitching advantage!
Ian Happ hits another homer! Michael Busch drives in runs! We score 5!
The Cardinals score 4 (Walker and Velázquez are DANGEROUS!) but we BOUNCE BACK and tie the series 1-1!
One-run win. We’re 32–26. SIX GAMES OVER .500! Series tied 1-1!
Why Game 2 Matters
We’re 31–26 (five games over .500!) after losing 6–5 yesterday. Nelson Velázquez crushed a 3-run homer! We’re DOWN 0-1 in the series! Ben Brown (1-2, 2.01 ERA – ELITE!) starts against Kyle Leahy (5-3, 4.44 ERA)! Jordan Walker is ELITE (.300 AVG, 15 HRs, 42 RBIs, .576 SLG!)
Win today and we’re 32–26. SIX GAMES OVER .500! Tie the series 1-1!
Can Ben Brown dominate? Will our offense wake up? Can we bounce back from yesterday?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 32–26 and staying six-plus games over .500 would show HUGE progress!
Go Cubs Go. Bounce back at Busch Stadium with Ben Brown on the mound!