St. Louis at Chicago

It's always a tough spot to play the Cubs this season, but the Cardinals are in a real tough spot in playing their eighth straight road game. They just finished a trip out west at San Francisco and Colorado and now head to Wrigley Field. The Cardinals are 8-20 when following an off day. The pitching staff has struggled, giving up 19 runs the last three games. Soft throwing Mike Leake (4.54 ERA) has seen better days, with batters hitting .287 off him in 2016. He has not fooled the Cubs this summer, at 0-2 with a 4.26 ERA. He faces a powerhouse Chicago Cubs team that is tops in team ERA (3.09) and third in baseball in runs scored. Chicago still has plenty to play for, closing in on the top record in the NL. Ace Jake Arrieta (17-7, 2.96 ERA) is 6-2 with a 2.03 ERA in 12 career starts against the Cardinals. The Cubs are on a 38-15 run, 16-5 following an off day, plus 63-22 at Wrigley against a right-handed starter. Back the Cubs.