June 17 MLB Chicago Cubs St. Louis Overseas Baseball Analysis Sports Analysis
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With a strong performance from Im Han-na, the Chicago Cubs successfully retaliate as Jamieson Taillon (3 wins, 2 losses, 3.09 ERA) seeks his fourth victory of the season. Taillon showed an impressive 6 innings with 4 hits and no earned runs in a game against Tampa Bay on the 12th, suggesting he has finally returned to form. Despite struggling with 3 earned runs over 5.2 innings in a game against St. Louis on May 26, his strength in day games offers a glimmer of hope. The Cubs' lineup scored five runs, including a 3-run home run by Ian Happ, by targeting the St. Louis pitching staff, but their hitting still cannot be called strong, having only 1 hit in 10 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Tyson Miller's 2 innings of scoreless relief can significantly aid the team's bullpen management.
The St. Louis Cardinals, with their lackluster batting leading to a blowout defeat, will see Miles Mikolas (4 wins, 6 losses, 4.85 ERA) attempt to secure his fifth win of the season. Mikolas delivered a stellar performance on the 12th against Pittsburgh, pitching 7 innings with just 1 hit and no earned runs, and he has maintained a quality start in 5 of his last 6 games. However, he previously allowed 3 earned runs over 6 innings against Taillon on May 26 and has struggled in daytime games, posting a poor 2 wins and 4 losses with a 6.54 ERA. The Cardinals' lineup, limited to just 1 run against Im Han-na’s pitching the previous day, now faces a challenge as their advantage against left-handed pitchers appears diminished. Their offensive performance so far in this series has been weak, making it hard to find any bright spots. The bullpen has recently allowed 3 earned runs over 4.2 innings, highlighting a widening gap between the successful relievers and the less effective ones.
Both starting pitchers are capable of delivering comparable performances. Tonight's game is likely to result in a battle of bullpens, similar to the first match-up. However, the recent struggles of the Cubs' bullpen contrast with St. Louis' slightly favorable position, which could prove crucial in deciding the game. The advantage in the bullpen favors the St. Louis Cardinals as they draw closer to victory.
Expected score: 4-3 in favor of St. Louis
Handicap: St. Louis victory
Under/Over: Under