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Kyle Gibson’s Quest to Break the Cubs Curse
In 12 major league seasons, St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Kyle Gibson has yet to solve the Chicago Cubs. With four losses in four career starts against Chicago, Gibson is determined to turn the tide as St. Louis opens a three-game series with the host Cubs on Friday afternoon.
Gibson’s Struggles Against the Cubs
Chicago has been a thorn in Gibson’s side (4-2, 3.76 ERA), scoring 15 runs on 20 hits over 20 1/3 innings, resulting in a 6.64 ERA and a 0-4 record against them. Despite recording a quality start for the Baltimore Orioles on June 17, 2023, in his most recent outing against Chicago, Gibson still came away empty-handed.
In his latest performance, the Colorado Rockies managed three runs and eight hits against Gibson on Saturday, where he pitched six innings in what ended up being a no-decision.
Cubs’ Recent Offensive Struggles
Luckily for Gibson, the Cubs’ offense has been in a bit of a slump lately, scoring no more than four runs in each of their past seven games. They’ve gone just 2-5 in this period, including a 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
Michael Busch, Cody Bellinger, and Nico Hoerner each had a single, accounting for Chicago’s three hits in the rubber match of the three-game series.
Bellinger’s Clutch Performance
Cody Bellinger stepped up in a big way on Wednesday, hitting a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning during the Cubs’ 4-3 win over the Rays. He has hit safely in each of his past five games.
“I think Cody’s been good,” Chicago manager Craig Counsell said, “and I think the best is yet to come.”
Cardinals’ Recent Form
St. Louis has also faced inconsistency, though they secured a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. After alternating wins and losses over a seven-game stretch, the Cardinals have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since May 28-29.
Brendan Donovan emerged as the hero on Thursday, hitting a go-ahead solo shot in the bottom of the sixth. During his eight-game hitting streak, Donovan has gone 10-for-30 (.333) with a home run, four RBIs, and five runs.
“You’ve got to take your little wins in this game,” Donovan said. “I know this is a results-based game, but sometimes, you have to just trick yourself. You have to say, ‘OK, I hit a bullet, but it was caught and that’s a win.’
“If you can stack as many mini-victories as possible on top of one another, the results will be there at the end of the year.”
Cubs’ Pitching Preview
Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks (1-2, 4.44 ERA) will aim to end Donovan’s hitting streak when he makes his seventh appearance (sixth start) of the year on Friday. Wicks, in his second big-league season, will be facing St. Louis for the first time.
Wicks came out of the bullpen in his last outing, allowing one run and three hits in 3 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, not factoring into the decision.
Head-to-Head Matchups
Friday marks the third meeting of the season between these teams, with the Cardinals having won both previous encounters in late May.
Analysis and Outlook
Kyle Gibson’s historical struggles against the Cubs and his quest to secure his first win against them form the crux of this matchup. Despite Gibson’s solid overall performance this season, his past difficulties against Chicago add an intriguing challenge.
On the Cubs’ side, recent offensive woes could play into Gibson’s favor, but players like Cody Bellinger, who has been clutch recently, might pose a threat. Similarly, Brendan Donovan’s impressive hitting streak will be a focal point for the Cardinals as they seek to extend their winning momentum.
Jordan Wicks’ performance as a starter and his first encounter with St. Louis add an unpredictable element to the game. As both teams navigate their inconsistencies, individual player performances could be pivotal in determining the series’ outcome.
Conclusion
Kyle Gibson’s bid to break his career-long curse against the Cubs adds a compelling narrative to this series. With both teams experiencing recent inconsistencies, the spotlight will be on key players like Cody Bellinger and Brendan Donovan. As Gibson seeks his first win against Chicago, the outcome of this series could hinge on individual performances and team dynamics.
