Chi. Cubs vs St. Louis Cardinals Picks and Predictions June 16th 2024

Cubs, Cardinals jockey for position in NL Central

The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals wrap up their three-game series on Sunday, each team eager to climb higher in the fiercely competitive NL Central. The Cubs, spurred by Ian Happ’s stellar performance, clinched a 5-1 win on Saturday, snapping the Cardinals’ three-game winning streak. With both teams neck and neck in the standings, Sunday’s game is a must-watch.

Series Dynamics

Ian Happ’s Breakout Performance

Recent Struggles

Ian Happ had been in a rough patch, hitting just 1-for-24 with nine strikeouts in his last seven games. But on Saturday, he turned things around dramatically, smashing a three-run homer and going 2-for-3 with a walk. His powerful performance was key in the Cubs’ 5-1 win over the Cardinals and could signal a turnaround for Chicago as they push forward.

Happ’s Perspective

“Just keeping with the process,” Happ told Fox Sports. “It’s a long season. The worst thing you can do when you’re struggling is to get down on yourself and try to change a bunch of stuff. It’s all about belief and confidence and just getting through the tough stretches.”

Pitching Matchup

Jameson Taillon for the Cubs

Jameson Taillon (3-2, 3.09 ERA) is set to start for the Cubs. Despite not winning in over a month, Taillon has been a steady force, allowing just four hits over six scoreless innings in his last outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. He holds a solid record against the Cardinals, boasting a 5-1 record and a 3.39 ERA in 13 starts.

Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals

Miles Mikolas (4-6, 4.85 ERA) will take the mound for St. Louis. Mikolas is coming off a near no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he allowed just one hit over seven shutout innings. He has also been strong against the Cubs, with a 5-4 record and a 2.69 ERA in 20 appearances.

Division Standings and Implications

Tight NL Central Race

The NL Central is a nail-biter, with the Cardinals trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by 6 1/2 games and the Cubs 7 1/2 games behind. Every game counts as both teams strive to climb the standings and secure a playoff spot.

Momentum Building

Chicago catcher Yan Gomes stressed the importance of building momentum with victories like Saturday’s. “Absolutely, games like this are gonna help,” Gomes said. “I feel like there’s some guys trying to put better at-bats together and moving guys over, and the more and more we put guys on third with chances to score with no outs or one out or even two outs, we’re gonna come through.”

Season Series

The Cardinals currently lead the season series 3-1 against the Cubs. Sunday’s game, the fifth meeting of the year between these rivals, carries extra weight as both teams look to improve their standing in the division.

Conclusion

The series finale between the Cubs and Cardinals is pivotal for both teams as they battle for position in the tight NL Central. Ian Happ’s resurgence and the intriguing pitching matchup between Jameson Taillon and Miles Mikolas add excitement to this crucial game. The outcome will likely set the tone for both teams heading into the second half of the season.