Due to the lockout, the Cubs have gone 50 games into this season without facing the Cardinals. The last time the teams went into a season this late without meeting was 1985, when they didn’t play until the Cubs’ 57th game and Cardinals’ 58th.

Fun fact

The Cubs were a surprisingly competitive 9-10 against the Cardinals last year. However, that was divided up as you might have expected:

Pre-selloff: 7-5 Post-selloff: 2-5

The post-selloff record included a four-game sweep by the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, part of that 17-game winning streak St. Louis had in September.

Friday: Marcus Stroman, RHP (2-4, 3.95 ERA, 1.085 WHIP, 3.65 FIP) vs. Miles Mikolas, RHP (3-3, 2.67 ERA, 1.055 WHIP, 3.40 FIP)

Pitching matchup

Saturday, Game 1: Matt Swarmer, RHP (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 5.98 FIP) or TBD vs. TBD

Saturday, Game 1: Matt Swarmer, RHP (0-0, 1.50 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 5.98 FIP) or TBD vs. TBD

Sunday: Justin Steele, LHP (1-5, 5.40 ERA, 1.575 WHIP, 3.22 FIP) vs. Adam Wainwright, RHP (5-4, 2.75 ERA, 1.186 WHIP, 3.63 FIP)

Friday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside Cubs and Cardinals market territories)

Times & TV channel

Saturday, Game 1: 12:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, MLB Network (outside Cubs and Cardinals market territories) Saturday, Game 2: 6:15 p.m. CT, Fox-TV (regional — coverage map) Sunday: 6:08 p.m. CT, ESPN

The Cubs played a competitive series against the Brewers and I think they can do the same vs. St. Louis.

Prediction

The pitching matchups seem not too bad. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Cubs will win three of five and end the homestand on a high note.

The Cubs have Monday off, then visit Baltimore for a two-game series against the Orioles beginning Tuesday evening.

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