The St. Louis Cardinals can complete a sweep of the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, and they may have to do so just to keep pace with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds. Both the Pirates and Reds, who remain ahead of the Cardinals in the N.L. Central, have won the first two games of their weekend series, and a loss on Sunday could mean that the Cardinals exit the weekend further off than they started.
Leading the Cardinals on Sunday is starter Lance Lynn, who has regained his early season form after a rough stretch of starts to round out June. In his last two starts, Lynn has given up only one run over 13 innings while striking out 17 batters. In 13.1 innings across two starts vs. Chicago this season, Lynn has given up two runs while striking out 12.
His opponent will be Cubs starter Travis Wood. Wood had quietly been on a run of seven straight quality starts dating back to late May before giving up eight earned runs in 4.2 innings to the Miami Marlins this past Tuesday. Wood has not faced the Cardinals yet this season.
Game time/date: Sunday, July 22, 1:15 p.m. CT
Location: Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Mo.
TV: WGN
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