957 Chicago Cubs @ 958 St. Louis Cardinals *Overnight Line

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It's been a tough MLB Season for me, for sure. But with the playoffs approaching there's always that sense of a new season...

Anyway, tonight's (Tuesday night 5:15 PST) has the Cubs in good position to clinch the division. So this is, in a way, an early playoff game for the Cubs.

The Cubs are obviously very serious about getting the division wrapped-up and rest does not seem like something one their mind at the moment.

Here are the big advantages the Cubs have going into Game #2 of this four game set.

-They are hitting the ball well, and connecting on 2-out hits which is a sign of being locked-in offensively.

-SP J. Lester alongside a big lead in game #1 gave the bullpen a rest. Coach Maddon can go to go the big arms as early as the 5th inning and not tax his bullpen too much; I expect him to coach this one like a playoff game.

-SP J. Arrieta has looked pretty good, and even if he is not very good the Cardinals are slumping offensively as a team right now in a big way.

On the flip side of things, St. Louis' SP C. Martinez is pitching. Even if he does have a strong outing, say 7.0 IP, allowing 1 to 2 ER, the game still favors the Cubs given the bullpen situation in St. Louis.

What I do not like about this game (and there is always something not to like):

Cardinals have stellar pinch-hitting.

Cardinals have a very capable pitcher starting.

J. Arrieta can come out and get handled for 3 or 4 runs (even so, I am hopeful for a 5+ run night from the Cubs).

St. Louis is truly in a must win situation, especially with the strong pitching match-up for Milwaukee in their Tuesday night game. They pretty much need to win outright and even then that will not guarantee them a final Wild-Card spot.

St. Louis is a good team, that is not clicking at all. A big win tonight would be a complete 180 turn-around and there simply is not enough substance out there to expect them to do so. Their best chance is a gem from SP C Martinez, but he has been roughed up as of late, not to mention the Cubs just saw him recently.

This is the Cubs last playoff like tune-up (most likely) until the playoffs come around. They are in a great position to win.

Marc Anthony Presents
 

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