Jaime Garcia Injury Update: Cardinals Pitcher Sharp In Opening Rehab Game

The St. Louis Cardinals hope to get SP Jaime Garcia back from him 60-day DL stint soon, and he made the first important step to that end, performing well in his opening minor league rehab game:

On rehab assignment, Garcia goes 2 1/3 scoreless in rehab start. Allows four hits, gets four groundouts, Ks one. #STLCards #Cardinals

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 30, 2012

Garcia, 25, an extreme ground ball pitcher, is at his best in games where he is inducing ground balls and limiting walks. In the 2012 season, he has a 4.48 ERA and a strong 2.78 FIP through 66 and 1/3 innings.

He proved to be a key cog in the Cardinals 2011 rotation, pitching 194 and 2/3 innings with a 3.56 ERA and 3.23 FIP.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Final Score: Anthony Rizzo Homer Dooms St. Louis To Loss

As the season approaches the final two months, each game becomes more magnified for teams in the playoff race. With the St. Louis Cardinals fighting to stay in the race for the NL Central Division, losing a series against the Chicago Cubs is something they simply couldn't afford. However, an Anthony Rizzo homer in the 10th inning sent the Cardinals to a 4-2 loss at Wrigley Field.

The Cardinals wasted a strong start from Adam Wainwright, who allowed only two earned runs in 6.0 innings. Wainwright struck out five batters and really settled down after allowing a run in each of the first two innings. St. Louis rallied from a two-run deficit with runs in the 7th and 8th innings. Carlos Beltran tied the game in the 8th with his 23rd homer of the season. However, the homer from Rizzo off of Trever Rosenthal in the 10th inning allowed the Cubs to win the series.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Lineups: Daniel Descalso, Matt Carpenter Get Sunday Starts

Injuries have once again altered the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup. With Rafael Furcal ailing and Lance Berkman returning from injury, manager Mike Matheny has turned to his bench to plug the holes in a key game on Sunday vs. the Chicago Cubs. Getting starts are Matt Carpenter at first and Daniel Descalso at shortstop.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Preview: Adam Wainwright Leads Cardinals On Sunday

Rafael Furcal Injury Update: St. Louis Infielder Battling Back Injury

With the St. Louis Cardinals in the midst of an intense playoff race, any injury could have a significant impact. However, one guy that they can't afford to be without for a significant period of time is Rafael Furcal. According to B.J. Rains of Foxsportsmidwest.com, Furcal is battling a back injury that could sideline him:

@BJRains: Matheny confirmed that Furcal is dealing with back tightness and likely wouldn't play tomorrow. Furcal left without speaking to reporters.

Furcal has been steady all season for the Cardinals, hitting .272 and delivering in clutch situations throughout the season. The 34 year old shortstop has appeared in 96 games and driven in 42 runs for St. Louis. In July he appeared in the third All-Star game of his career and the first since 2010.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Final Score: St. Louis Falls 3-2

After opening the series against the Chicago Cubs with a victory, the St. Louis bats struggled on Saturday, as it fell 3-2 at Wrigley Field. While the Cardinals have been playing some great baseball, each loss is crucial with the way the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates have been playing since the All-Star break.

Despite some control issues, the Cardinals really had no answer for Jeff Samardzija on the mound. Samardzija struck out seven batters and allowed only two earned runs in six innings. The Cardinals received a strong effort from Joe Kelly, who allowed only three earned runs in 6.1 innings pitched. Kelly struck out six hitters and issued only one walk in the loss,

At the plate, Carlos Beltran drove in his 72nd run of the season, while Daniel Descalso also drove in a run in the loss.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Jaime Garcia Update: Pitcher Throws Another BP Session

The return of Jaime Garcia to the St. Louis Cardinals rotation could play a huge role in their push for the playoffs. Garcia, who has been on the DL since June 6th because of a shoulder strain, continues to get closer to his return to the rotation. According to B.J. Rains of FoxSportsMidwest.com, Garcia should be close to making a rehab start:

@BJRains: Garcia will throw another batting practice session in Jupiter, per Matheny. There was some thought that next step might be a rehab start.

In 11 starts this season, Garcia has complied a 3-4 record with a 4.48 ERA. Garcia was outstanding the past two seasons, winning 26 games and establishing himself as a key member of the St. Louis rotation. Despite having won four straight, the Cardinals remain 5.5 games out of first place in the NL Central Division.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Lineups: St. Louis Loads Up Lefties Against Jeff Samardzija

The St. Louis Cardinals are loading up left-handed hitters for Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs, and it's probably a pretty good idea. Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija has held right-handed hitters to a .244/.296/.325 line for the 2012 season, but lefties have roughed him up to the tune of a much more impressive .256/.333/.489 line.

Here are the lineups for both teams on Saturday:

Take a look here at the game schedule for Saturday:

Date/Time: Saturday, July 28, 12:05 p.m. CT

TV: Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast SportsNet

Online streaming: MLB.tv

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs: Saturday Game Schedule, TV Info And More

After the Cardinals took control of the series opener against the Cubs, St. Louis is looking for similar results when the two teams resume action on Saturday.

The Cardinals' fluid offense will face the test of Cubs' pitcher Jeff Samardzija (7-8, 4.25 ERA), while Joe Kelly (1-3, 2.78 ERA) takes the mound for St. Louis. In Samardzija's last appearance, he gave up just one run in eight innings pitched against the Pirates.

This is the second of seven consecutive home games for the Red Birds. The Cardinals dominated the Cubs in Chicago last weekend, outscoring them 23-1.

Take a look here at the game schedule for Saturday:

Date/Time: Saturday, July 27, 7:05 p.m. CT

TV: Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast SportsNet

Online streaming: MLB.tv

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dishand Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Final Score: Home Run Barrage Propels St. Louis To 9-6 Win

Lance Lynn struggled on Friday afternoon, but St. Louis' offense was there to pick him up and the Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 9-6 at Wrigley Field.

Related: The St. Louis Cardinals and Jeff Suppan Baseball

Lynn, who picked up the win, gave up six runs on eight hits over five innings. The Cardinals offense hit five home runs on the day and St. Louis took the lead for good on Matt Carpenter's solo shot in the fourth. Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Allen Craig and Lance Berkman also went yard.

Cubs starter Travis Wood, who gave up all five home runs, lasted five innings.

The Cardinals have won seven of their last eight games and stand eight wins above .500 for the first time since May 11.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Score Update: Teams Combine For 6 Homers In 6 Innings, St. Louis Lead 8-6

The St. Louis Cardinals may have hit five home runs off Chicago Cubs lefty SP Travis Wood, but they lead by only two runs heading into the seventh inning. Wood, who lasted only five innings, surrendered home runs to LF Matt Holliday, C Yadier Molina, 1B Lance Berkman, RF Allen Craig and 3B Matt Carpenter.

Meanwhile, on the merit of a home run from 1B Anthony Rizzo and a 2-for-3 showing from SS Starlin Castro, the Cubs have managed to tag SP Lance Lynn -- who also lasted only five innings -- for six earned runs.

The Cardinals enter the seventh inning with an 8-6 lead, looking to secure a win and silence the Cubs lineup in homer-friendly afternoon in Chicago.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Roster: Astros Claim RHP Chuckie Fick From St. Louis

The MLB.com beat writer for the Houston Astros, Brian McTaggart, is reporting the St. Louis Cardinals have lost bullpen rookie RHP Chuckie Fick:

Astros claimed right-handed pitcher Chuckie Fick off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 27, 2012

Fick, 26, made his major league debut with the Cardinals earlier this season and has appeared in two games, pitching 1 and 2/3 innings. He started the season in the Triple-A, where he had a 4.68 ERA and 5.09 FIP through 42 and 1/3 innings.

He was designated for assignment on Wednesday to open a 40-man roster spot for the recently-signed LHP Brian Fuentes, who was released by the Oakland Athletics earlier in the season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Lineups: Lance Berkman Bats Fifth On Friday

The Chicago Cubs have one eye on the trade market heading to their weekend series at Wrigley Field, and the St. Louis Cardinals will look to take advantage of that atmosphere against their rivals. In the series opener on Friday, Lance Lynn will square off against Travis Wood in a pitching matchup that favors St. Louis. Lance Berkman is back in the lineup and he will bat fifth.

Here is a look at the lineups for Friday:

Location: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Ill.

Game Date & Time: Friday, July 27, 1:20 p.m. CT

TV: FOX Sports Midwest

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.

Cardinals Vs. Cubs Preview: St. Louis Looks To Keep Rolling In Wrigley

The Cardinals travel to Wrigley Field to face the Cubs on Friday.